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What’s driving the leisure and hospitality rebound?

Published: January 14, 2025 by Gary Stockton

Commercial Pulse Report | 1-14-2025

Experian has just released the Commercial Pulse Report for January 14th, 2025 which includes a compelling look at the leisure and hospitality sector.

The Leisure & Hospitality sector has long been one of the hardest-hit industries following the COVID-19 pandemic. But in 2024, it demonstrated impressive resilience and recovery, with data from the latest report highlights several noteworthy trends that mark a turning point for this vital sector of the economy.

Watch Our Commercial Pulse Update

Travel Reaches New Heights

Air travel soared to record-breaking levels in 2024, with the TSA screening over 903 million passengers—a 6.5% increase from pre-pandemic levels. This rise reflects not just pent-up travel demand but also growing consumer confidence in the safety and accessibility of travel.

Hotel occupancy rates, while recovering, still lag slightly behind pre-pandemic levels. Reduced corporate travel and the rise in remote work have contributed to this trend. However, leisure travel remains strong, and small businesses in the travel ecosystem are seeing the benefits.

Stabilizing Credit Activity and Improved Risk Scores

On the commercial credit side, there’s good news. Businesses in the Leisure & Hospitality subsectors have experienced a gradual increase in new account inquiries, and credit risk scores have steadily improved since late 2023. These metrics indicate a promising stabilization of credit activity.

Interestingly, the average number of commercial credit accounts per business continues to decrease. This could reflect cautious financial planning as businesses strive to balance growth with sustainable debt.

Consumer Trends Drive Growth

The affordability of travel is another major driver of the sector’s recovery. Inflation in the travel sector has trended lower than the broader economy, making vacations and leisure activities more accessible for many consumers. Despite financial pressures, such as a significant portion of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, this trend has supported a surge in travel demand.

Challenges Remain

While the outlook is positive, challenges persist. For example, delinquency rates within the sector fluctuate month to month, although no long-term trend of increased risk has been observed. The Hotel, RV, and Campground subsector, which bore the brunt of the pandemic’s impact, now boasts the lowest charge-off rate among Leisure & Hospitality categories—a testament to its steady recovery.

There’s a lot more on the leisure and hospitality study in this week’s report, so download your copy today!

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Uncertainty fueling entrepreneurial activity

Commercial Pulse Report | 6/17/2025 Economic uncertainty is often seen as a deterrent to growth, but for many Americans, it’s become the fuel for a fresh start. As inflation wavers and traditional employment structures shift, more individuals are stepping out of corporate roles to pursue business ownership. In this week's Commercial Pulse Report, we take a closer look at what's driving this wave of entrepreneurial activity. Gen X Leads the Charge Toward Self-Employment According to Guidant Financial's 2025 Small Business Trends report, Generation X is leading the charge. Many in this age group are opting out of traditional career paths, motivated by a desire for autonomy, flexibility, and a more purposeful work life. According to Guidant’s report, Gen X holds the largest share of U.S. small business ownership, with a significant portion of these entrepreneurs transitioning from established careers. What’s driving this shift? Dissatisfaction with corporate life and a strong desire to be one’s own boss are leading motivators. It’s a story of experienced professionals reevaluating priorities and seeking more control over their financial future. And it appears to be a fulfilling decision—75% of small business owners report being happy with their choice to go independent. Retirement Savings Power New Ventures A surprising—but telling—statistic in ’s report: 53% of new business owners used 401(k) retirement funds to launch their ventures. This trend underscores a growing willingness to invest personal wealth into long-term entrepreneurial aspirations. Known as Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS), this approach allows individuals to use retirement funds without early withdrawal penalties. It’s a bold move, signaling high confidence among business owners—but also highlighting gaps in access to traditional funding channels. Entrepreneurs are taking on more personal risk, in part because institutional capital isn't always accessible to young businesses. Interestingly, 56% of all new businesses are either newly founded or existing independent ventures, showing a diverse range of entrepreneurial approaches—from solo startups to revitalized legacy brands. The Credit Dillema for Young Businesses Experian’s data shows that businesses under two years old account for more than 50% of new commercial card originations. These companies are opting for credit cards over term loans due to fewer barriers to entry, but this often means lower funding limits. Meanwhile, newer businesses face steeper challenges securing traditional loans. They now represent just 15% of term loan originations, down from 27% in 2022. For lenders, policy makers, and service providers, these trends underscore the need to rethink how we support emerging businesses. From alternative funding tools to better credit-building pathways, there’s a growing opportunity to empower America’s newest entrepreneurs. Stay Ahead with Experian ✔ Visit our Commercial Insights Hub for in-depth reports and expert analysis. ✔ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for regular updates on small business trends. ✔ Connect with your Experian account team to explore how data-driven insights can help your business grow. Download the Commercial Pulse Report Visit Commercial Insights Hub Related Posts

Jun 16,2025 by Gary Stockton

Commercial Insights Hub

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