Dining Out ...
...Out Of Town

When respondents were asked their top factors when picking a restaurant in a new city, 10% answered, "exclusivity." At inKind HQ we definitely have more than a few that agree—hard to get reservations and passwords to speakeasy concepts are social currency. These exclusive diners are far less likely to order room service or seek discounts at their destination. Instead, they're more likely to reserve in advance, with 25% of cases making reservations as much as a month in advance. They are also two times more likely to pick hotels based on its restaurants when compared to the rest of respondents. Finally, these exclusive diners are much more likely to take a recommendation from a trusted friend. Word of mouth is still king.

Just over 12% of respondents told us where they dine is the primary motivator in picking a vacation destination. Whether through an online article, FOMO from an Instagram post, or a TikTok inspo page, it's easier than ever for brands to get their food on the phones of diners around the country. spicy rigatoni from Carbone, slices from Prince Street Pizza, and bagels from Black Seed Bagels are household names for many avid diners. While these diners travel less often, they are 18% more likely to have left the United States for dining experiences abroad.

While most people are traveling this year, only 25% of our sample travels at least once or more per month. These frequent flyers are less likely to book travel based on specific restaurants, are more likely to order room service, and are less concerned with the price tag. This group tends to be business travelers—those flying with objectives beyond eating. These users, however, pay much more attention to the airport experience. They're arriving early enough to eat, researching dining options at the terminals, and are more likely to consider chef collaborations when booking an airline.