9 in 10 business travelers struggle to switch off on work trips

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS, THE HOTEL ROOM MAY BE THE ONLY PLACE THEY'RE TRULY OFF THE CLOCK.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICANS WHO REGULARLY TRAVEL FOR WORK FROM HYATT FOUND NINE IN 10 SAY THEIR ROOM IS THEIR ONE PLACE TO REALLY SWITCH OFF DURING A BUSINESS TRIP.

AND SOME ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO PROTECT THAT DOWNTIME.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND NEARLY HALF HAVE RETREATED TO THEIR ROOM INSTEAD OF NETWORKING, WHILE MORE THAN A THIRD HAVE EVEN FAKED A MEETING JUST TO GET SOME TIME ALONE.

STILL, MORE THAN HALF SAY THEY END UP WORKING MOST NIGHTS AFTER THE OFFICIAL WORKDAY IS OVER.

SO... WHEN YOU TRAVEL FOR WORK, ARE YOU EVER REALLY OFF THE CLOCK?

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 business travelers (1,000 18+ “Extended Stay Travelers” defined as traveling for business, with stays of 5+ consecutive nights, at least 4 times per year and 1,000 18+ “Business Transient Travelers” defined as traveling for business, with stays of 2+ nights, on average of 2+ times per month) who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Hyatt and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 29 and Jun 11, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.