Travelers in 2026 bring minimal home comforts
Research group: 100 U.S. travelers (national sample; “Entire United States”).
What they said: Respondents largely agreed, favoring deliberate minimalism—two to three compact anchors rather than recreating home—centered on portable coffee rituals, kid-focused snack kits, and downloaded/streamed evening media to keep routines and avoid poor/overpriced options.
Motivations blended practical benefits (cost control, avoiding weak Wi‑Fi and bad hotel coffee) with emotional ones (reduced stress, calmer kids), while a minority maintained more elaborate or culturally specific comforts (soft coolers with perishables, stovetop percolators, mate sets, Shabbat kits, AM/FM radio).
Main insights: Minimal anchors dominate, but there is meaningful demand for reliable low-bandwidth access and culturally sensitive, travel-ready comfort solutions.
Takeaways: Prioritize features that streamline anchor packing and offline readiness, surface nearby essentials (grocery/coffee/pharmacy) at lodging, and pilot a lightweight marketplace for coffee/spice/kid kits with location-aware guides for cultural and ritual needs.
Renee Jerez
1) Basic Demographics
Renee Jerez is a 54-year-old woman living in suburban Juneau, Alaska (Mendenhall Valley). She is married, a mother of one adult child, and a U.S. c...
Norman Jerez
Norman Jerez, 38, is a widowed, community-minded maker in suburban Davenport, IA. A former industrial designer now out of the workforce, he volunteers, lives comfortably, values durability and privacy, favors pragmatic conservatism, and dotes on his rescue dog, Maple.
Monique Vargas
Monique Vargas, 52, a Black married mother of two in Springfield, MA, is an Operations Program Manager in tech. Bilingual at home, budget-savvy, community-minded, she values privacy, durability, simplicity; enjoys DIY, photography, and easy hikes.
Christopher Garcia
Christopher Garcia, 32, is a Tampa-based senior lineman and crew lead for Tampa Electric. Married stepdad, homeowner, and bike commuter with a $200k+ household income; he values safety and durability and enjoys DIY projects, photography, gaming, and Tampa sports.
Matthew Zermeno
Matthew Zermeno, 27, West Valley City homeowner and guardian to an 11-year-old half-brother; on sabbatical after selling an auto-parts e-commerce business. Funds life via rentals/investments; car/photography enthusiast who prefers durable, transparent, proof-backed purchases.
Joseph Martinez
Joseph Martinez, 31, divorced parent in Joliet, IL, is a casino hotel food & beverage operations manager. Owns a home, earns about $125k, co-parents 50/50, budgets carefully, cooks practical meals, values reliability, time-saving, and mobile-first convenience.
Sahar Pereira
Sahar Pereira, 44, is a protective-services supervisor in Vancouver, WA, and single mom to a 12-year-old. She rents, earns $100k–$149k, prioritizes safety, reliability, and time-saving, uses Apple/Ring, budgets carefully, and is saving for a home.
Eric Vazquez
Eric Vazquez, 40, San Francisco–based, married with one child, is a Spanish–English bilingual Central American immigrant and Operations & Quality Manager for community health clinics. Budget-conscious and mission-driven, he values reliability, privacy, and family; enjoys DIY, photography, guitar.
Alyson Velasquez
Alyson Velasquez, 39, is a Tampa-area digital banking operations manager earning $100k–$149k. Never married, no kids; lives rurally with her rescue dog. Financially disciplined, community-minded, active, and pragmatic; she values reliability, transparent pricing, and time-saving, durable products.
Ronald Torres
1) Basic Demographics
Ronald Torres is a 57-year-old married man living in Sacramento, California (urban core, near Midtown). He is White (Non-Hispanic), a U.S. citizen,...
Robert Longoria
Robert Longoria, 77, divorced with two adult children, is a retired hospital maintenance supervisor in Indianapolis. Lives alone, urban renter; $100k–$149k pension-based income. Frugal, community-minded, low digital adoption; prefers durable, repairable products, paper trails, and phone/in-person service.
Alexander Cortez
Alexander Cortez, 38, married, is a senior real estate agent in urban Austin, TX. Earns $100k–$149k. Tech-savvy, fitness-minded cook who values quality, transparency, and time-saving tools; known for responsiveness, clear expectations, and community focus.
Amanda Ruiz
Amanda Ruiz, 33, is a bilingual leasing consultant and office coordinator in Lakewood, CO. A never-married mom of two, she earns $75k–$99k, budgets carefully, and values transparent pricing, time-saving convenience, durable kid-friendly products, and bilingual support.
Kathleen Palomino
Kathleen Palomino, 85, is a married Hispanic retiree in Naperville, IL. A bilingual former operations/supply-chain leader, she lives comfortably, has no children, values reliability and community, volunteers, stays active, enjoys classic cars, thoughtful travel, and straightforward, human-centered service.
Melanie Perez
Melanie Perez, 66, is a married real estate sales/office coordinator in suburban Los Angeles. A mobile-first, organized Nana of one, she values trust, clarity, and time-saving; enjoys cooking, volunteering, gentle fitness, and road trips.
Jessica Pena
1) Basic Demographics
Jessica Pena is a 44-year-old woman living in urban Raleigh, North Carolina. She uses she/her pronouns, is married, and has one child. She earned a...
Richard Dias
Richard Dias, 56, Tampa-based director of guest services and event operations, is married without children and owns a suburban home. A pragmatic buyer and volunteer, he prioritizes reliability, safety, durability, clear specs, and total cost of ownership.
Jo Castellanos
Jo Castellanos, 81, is an independent Hispanic Jewish retiree in Owensboro, KY. Living alone with her cat, she’s tech-comfortable, financially secure ($100k–$149k), risk-averse, and community-minded—cooking, gardening, photographing nature, attending synagogue, and volunteering teaching smartphone basics.
Joshua Martinez
Joshua Martinez, 46, is a semi-retired, hands-on dad on the rural edges of Ann Arbor who speaks Spanish at home, fixes what he can, and invests in what lasts. He’s financially comfortable but value-attentive, tech-forward yet privacy-aware, and he chooses brands that respect his time and intelligence. Cars, cooking, and small-scale homesteading keep his days full; family and community keep them meaningful. If you want his attention, be clear, be honest, and make sure your product does what it says on the box—preferably with a torque spec.
Neil Mejorada
Neil Mejorada is a 39-year-old Hispanic, bilingual wholesale building-materials sales pro on the rural fringe of Overland Park, KS. Single with a rescue dog, he earns about $120k, rents, and saves for a home. Values reliability, transparency, and durable, time-saving tools.
Amber Ruiz
1) Basic Demographics
Amber Ruiz is a 39-year-old White (Non-Hispanic) woman living in Lakewood, Colorado (urban). She is married with no children, a U.S. citizen, and s...
Robert Navarro
Robert Navarro, 58, is a Jacksonville, FL-based Director of Facilities and Operations for a large public school district. High-earning homeowner, never married, no kids. Values reliability, ROI, and transparency. Enjoys cars, photography, and blues guitar; keeps structured routines.
Roland Bolt
Roland Bolt, 85, retired HVAC business owner in rural Chesapeake, VA, married and financially secure. Community-minded mentor who values reliability, simplicity, and service; stays active with walking, gardening, and volunteering; cautious, practical tech user with conservative, preservation-focused finances.
Lyndsay Santiago
Lyndsay Santiago, 39, married mother of one in suburban Atlanta, is a product operations manager who rides MARTA, budgets diligently, and plans a townhome. Tech-forward and privacy-cautious, she values reliable, time-saving, small-space solutions, crafts, and Braves weekends.
David Centurion
David Centurion, 33, is a Bloomington, MN-based field operations manager in facilities services; married, no kids. Bilingual at home, Catholic, fiscally conservative. Hands-on, reliability-focused, budget-conscious, privacy-aware; values durability, Minnesota-weather readiness, and time-saving, straightforward solutions.
James Chavez
James Chavez, 89, married, lives in suburban Durham, NC and has no children. A Muslim, part-time senior advisor and guest lecturer in information services, prioritizes reliability, accessibility, and privacy; enjoys walking, gardening, jazz, and photography; community-minded mentor.
Elvira Serrano
Elvira Serrano, 84, is a bilingual Hispanic, Buddhist tech operations advisor living rurally near Sacramento. Divorced, she rents, drives, volunteers teaching Spanish-language computer basics, values reliability and autonomy, and prefers clear, accessible, low-friction services.
Andy Zavala
Andy Zavala, 58, is a New York City wardrobe consultant and stylist who owns a Queens co-op, drives a 2016 Subaru to client sessions, manages finances prudently, values craftsmanship, volunteers outfitting job-seekers, and maintains a calm, detail-focused practice.
Kyle Lopez
Kyle Lopez, 30, married parent of one in suburban Ann Arbor, is a non-citizen from Argentina and primary caregiver. Rents a two-bedroom, household income $100k–$149k. Bilingual Spanish, budget- and sustainability-minded, community-engaged, mobile-only internet user.
Nickalous Dias
Nickalous Dias, 44, is a married, bilingual San Diego homeowner and dad of one. A Sales Operations Coordinator at an automotive parts distributor, he’s pragmatic, budget-conscious, and car-loving—favoring reliable, no-drama brands, community volunteering, and hands-on DIY routines.
Carey Quintero
Carey Quintero, 57, a married Hispanic woman in Harrisburg, is Managing Director of Operations at a consulting firm. Child-free with $200k+ household income, mobile-first, privacy-conscious, and organized; values reliability and transparent pricing; volunteers, cooks efficiently, and enjoys photography, DIY, walks.
Madison Solis
1) Basic Demographics
Madison Solis is a 26-year-old woman living in the urban core of Springfield, Missouri. She is married and has one child, an 18-month-old son named...
Carla Jorge
1) Basic Demographics
Carla Jorge is a 48-year-old Hispanic woman living in the suburbs of Toledo, Ohio. She was born in Mexico, is a U.S. permanent resident (non-citize...
Stephanie Sanchez
Stephanie Sanchez, 37, is a bilingual Regional Operations Manager overseeing five medical spa/salon locations near Syracuse, NY. Married with one child, car-light, $150k–$199k earner who values reliability, ethical sourcing, evidence-based wellness, and time-saving, renter-friendly solutions.
Larry Hunter
Larry Hunter, 54, is a married homeowner in suburban Huntington, WV, and a network operations manager at a regional ISP. Pragmatic and budget-minded, values reliability, clear documentation, privacy; cooks, hikes, maintains vehicles, and supports community.
Melissa Rios
Melissa Rios, 49, is a Miami-based office manager and sales support pro in logistics. Married with one teen, bilingual English/Spanish, renter, fiscally prudent, center-right Catholic. Values reliability and time savings; enjoys DIY, cars, gardening; plans practical, budget-conscious travel.
Gwen Vazquez
Gwen Vazquez, 47, lives in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset and manages Risk & Compliance operations at a mid-sized fintech in San Mateo. Married; pragmatic, community-minded, budget-savvy. Cooks, gardens, hikes, and dotes on her rescue dog and cat.
Justin Bishop
Justin Bishop, 46, is a hospitality operations and training manager working mostly from home. Pragmatic, community-minded, and craft-driven, enjoys cooking, reliable tech, and durable, ethical products, and values clear policies, fair labor, easy setup, and responsive support.
Christopher Mcgee
Christopher Mcgee, 56, is a married parent of two adult children in Little Rock, AR, working in healthcare operations management. He earns $100k–$149k, owns a home, values reliability and clear warranties, enjoys woodworking, light fitness, cooking, and privacy-aware tech use.
Solon Cabrera
1) Basic Demographics
Solon Cabrera, 63, male (he/him). Divorced. Lives in Kansas City, KS (urban). U.S. citizen; English-speaking. Ethnicity: White (Non-Hispanic). One...
John Espinoza
John Espinoza is a 76-year-old bilingual, retired logistics operations manager in St. Petersburg, FL. Divorced with two adult children, he lives comfortably with his terrier, volunteers, photographs sunsets, cooks Puerto Rican-influenced meals, and manages mild hypertension and knee osteoarthritis.
Matthew Perez
Matthew Perez, Syracuse-based married parent of one, 39, Director of Operations in professional services, bilingual Spanish/English. Household income $200k+, budget- and quality-focused. Enjoys DIY, gardening, photography, fashion, and narrative gaming; community-minded, practical, reliability-driven.
Regenia Munoz
Regenia Munoz, 58, is a Spanish-English bilingual Cuban-American operations manager in suburban St. Petersburg, FL. Married, no children, she lives with her husband and mother, prioritizes financial discipline, hurricane-ready durability, evidence-based choices, and enjoys cooking, gardening, and planning phased retirement.
Nicole Flores
Nicole Flores, 36, is a Canadian-born Director of Operations in suburban Rochester, NY, earning ~$230k. She rents, has no kids, drives, saves aggressively, values efficiency and durability, volunteers in food security, and decompresses outdoors and cooking.
Leroy Murillo
Leroy Murillo, 58, is a married, early-retired IT/operations professional in suburban Fresno, CA. Financially steady ($100k–$149k), a DIY, sustainability-minded gardener and photographer; mentors at a makerspace and values durable, interoperable, privacy-respecting tech and practical gear.
Kelvin Moreno
Kelvin Moreno, 57, is a guest services manager overseeing a 1,200-seat live entertainment venue. Organized and pragmatic, balances late shifts with running and serious photography, values durable, transparent gear, privacy, and comfort, and mentors staff while keeping a tight, calm routine.
James Moreno
James Moreno, 56, a married parent in Fresno, is Deputy Director for City of Fresno Public Works overseeing capital projects. Financially disciplined, values reliability, civic impact, and sustainability; cycles, gardens, woodworks, and prioritizes data-backed, durable, low-lifecycle-cost solutions.
Holly Caniz
Holly Caniz, 73, in Bellevue, WA, is a part-time performing-arts guest services lead; separated with one adult child. Financially steady and arts-focused, she values reliability, clear pricing, human support, and senior-friendly, easy-to-use products.
Ashley Velasquez
Ashley Velasquez, 29, Mount Pleasant, SC real estate sales pro and mom of two (7 and 4), rents a three-bedroom, earns $150–199k, budget-savvy, tech-forward, weekend-heavy schedule; eyeing homeownership soon and a step up to Community Sales Manager.
Timothy Villatoro
Timothy Villatoro, 64, married in urban Memphis, is an early-retired former auto shop owner. Speaks Spanish at home, lives simply without home internet, values durable, reliable purchases, uses Medicaid, mentors locally, restores a classic truck, and favors offline, transparent services.
Alberto Zavala
Alberto Zavala is a 45-year-old, married and child-free, lives in Fresno’s Tower District. Sales Operations Manager at an agricultural supply distributor. Budget-disciplined homeowner who favors reliability and total cost of ownership. Household income $135k; routines include DIY, gardening, and community involvement.
William Deleon
William Deleon, 53, is a Rochester, MN real estate leasing/client relations manager, bilingual in Spanish, practicing Muslim, and co-parent of two. Financially steady and privacy-aware, he values transparency, durability, sustainability, keeps a halal home, and favors restrained, quality fashion.
Marissa Penuelas
Marissa Penuelas, 47, Jacksonville-based key account manager in wholesale distribution. Married with one middle-schooler, financially disciplined and practical; fitness- and photography-oriented. Values reliability, transparency, and time while balancing family life with client relationships across North Florida.
Jared Bruno
Jared Bruno is a 35-year-old, bilingual warehouse shift lead in suburban San Jose, married with one child. He rents, budgets carefully, favors reliable, safe gear, uses mobile-only internet, meal-preps, and pursues incremental career growth in operations.
Dana Perez
1) Basic Demographics
Dana Perez is a 33-year-old White (Non-Hispanic) woman living in urban Greensboro, North Carolina. She’s a U.S. citizen, agnostic, and leans Republ...
Wayne Rasco
Wayne Rasco, 60, a married Sacramento utilities lead with no kids. Practical and community-minded, he skips home internet, relies on mobile, favors durable, safety-rated gear and clear pricing, hikes and shoots landscapes, and budgets carefully while uninsured.
William Cisneros
Bilingual 78-year-old retiree in rural Vancouver, WA; married to Rosa, no children. Former fleet maintenance manager, community-minded and faith-driven. Offline at home, values reliability and hands-on service; restores a ’68 El Camino, cooks, walks dogs, and gardens.
Barbara Ramirez
Barbara Ramirez, 62, is a widowed construction superintendent in Columbus, GA, earning $150k–$199k. Mortgage nearly paid, she’s bilingual, faith- and community-minded, balancing site leadership with crafts, photography, RiverWalks with her dog Copper, and disciplined retirement planning.
Buster Morales
Buster Morales, 90, is a married retired cross-border logistics entrepreneur in El Paso, Texas. Financially comfortable, he rents near San Jacinto Plaza, speaks Spanish at home, and values reliability, simplicity, community, and clear, fair service.
Larry Bishop
Larry Bishop, 83, is a Tampa-area retiree living alone on a rural property. A part-time guest services host, he’s a careful, quality-focused buyer, tech-capable photographer and nature volunteer who favors local businesses and early-morning routines.
David Garcia
David Garcia, 56, is a married, bilingual operations manager in rural El Paso. Works remotely in digital services/fraud prevention, budget-savvy and privacy-focused; tech-practical, dog-loving cook and leatherworker who values reliability, clear pricing, and durable, easy-to-use gear.
Cara Ortega
Cara Ortega, 56, widowed homeowner in Edison, NJ, lives comfortably on survivor benefits and investments. A bilingual (English/Spanish) mother of one, she’s active, volunteers locally, cooks healthfully, streams media, and values durable, transparent, warranty-backed purchases.
Christine Garcia
Christine Garcia, 49, is a never-married mom of two in Southaven, MS. Not in the labor force, she manages rentals and household finances. Community-minded and tech-savvy, she loves cooking, music, and cozy gaming, valuing durability, clarity, and fair pricing.
Ronald Rodriguez
Ronald Rodriguez, 49, is a Pawtucket, RI–based senior operations manager in digital data services. A financially disciplined homeowner with a rescue dog, he values reliability, community service, and photography; tech-forward, privacy-minded, earning $150k–$199k with leadership ambitions.
Tina Madera
Tina Madera, 44, is a high-earning logistics shift lead in Chesapeake, VA. Divorced, she co-parents a 12-year-old, rents by choice, and prioritizes reliability, safety, and time-saving routines, favoring durable, modular, transparently priced solutions and community volunteering.
Taryn Fuentes
1) Basic Demographics
Taryn Fuentes is a 28-year-old married woman living in a suburban neighborhood near Jackson, Mississippi. She is White (Non-Hispanic), a U.S. citiz...
Robert Aguirre
Robert Aguirre, 87, is a widowed Hispanic Dallasite and retired AT&T operations supervisor. Independent, tech-savvy, and financially secure, he values faith, reliability, and clear support; enjoys structured routines, light fitness, sports, balcony gardening, travel, and helping neighbors.
Nancy Islas
Nancy Islas, 30, is a bilingual Patient Services Manager in Virginia Beach. Married without children, with $200k+ household income, she prioritizes time efficiency, durable evidence-based purchases, privacy, fitness, and community service, and lives with her husband and a rescue dog.
Nicole Gomez
Nicole Gomez, 35, is a married mother of one in Alexandria, VA, a public-sector program manager translating data into outcomes. Dual-income $200k+, organized, sustainability-minded, tech-forward, privacy-aware; enjoys running, farmers markets, crafts, and family travel.
Leon Hunter
Leon Hunter is a 55-year-old, Spanish-speaking permanent resident on Greensboro’s rural edge; a fleet services operations supervisor who owns a modest ranch with a workshop, lives with a dog and cat, favors reliability, DIY upkeep, fiscal conservatism, and clear ROI.
Sue Cortes
Sue Cortes, 81, is a married retiree in suburban Austin, TX. Financially secure, tech-comfortable, and community-minded, she gardens, volunteers at church, mentors neighbors, speaks Spanish at home, and values durability, accessibility, and clear, trustworthy service.
Jerry Watson
Jerry Watson, 88, married in suburban Fresno, works part-time as a construction advisor. Three adult children nearby. Household income $100k–$149k. No home internet; relies on smartphone. Values craftsmanship, clarity, durability, phone support, and community-minded, practical living. Speaks Spanish at home.
Gregory Villanueva
1) Basic Demographics
Gregory Villanueva, 57, male (he/him). U.S. citizen living in urban Fresno, CA. White (Non-Hispanic). Never married, no children. Protestant. Speak...
Steffanie Maciel
Steffanie Maciel, 54, Memphis-based IT operations manager and single parent of a 16-year-old son, is a pragmatic homeowner who runs on mobile-only internet, DIYs repairs, budgets diligently, and buys durable, serviceable gear backed by clear pricing and reviews.
Martha Machuca
Martha Machuca is a 49-year-old public-sector supervisor in San Diego who runs a bilingual, single-parent household with a teen and a rescue dog. She balances stable income and union-backed benefits with careful budgeting and time efficiency. She values reliability, community, and clear trade-offs. She adopts technology and services that fit into structured routines, reduce friction, and deliver measurable value. Messaging that is transparent, concise, and respectful of her time and judgment will land best.
Lekeshia Vazquez
Lekeshia Vazquez, 52, a Hispanic Jewish homeowner in suburban Des Moines, is a never-married mom of one. Financially secure and no longer in the labor force after marketing/consulting, she volunteers, gardens, cooks, and prefers high-quality, privacy-conscious, transparent offerings.
David Valencia
David Valencia, 69, is a retired automotive distribution co-founder in Durham, NC. Married, Spanish-speaking, and financially secure, he’s family- and church-oriented, volunteers locally, enjoys woodworking and restoring a ’72 Chevelle, and prioritizes reliability, craftsmanship, and ease of use.
Christopher Rodriguez
Christopher Rodriguez, 46, is a Hispanic, bilingual Jacksonville finance leader and Director of Risk Analytics. Separated with 50/50 custody of his 10-year-old daughter, he earns $200k+, owns a home, cooks, runs, gardens, and values reliability, privacy, and clear, data-backed results.
Norma Bustamante
Norma Bustamante, 88, Dominican-born Hispanic in suburban Paterson, NJ; married, Catholic. Part-time yard/dispatch coordinator co-running a small transport business. Spanish-first, no home internet; cash/debit, paper-first. Routine-driven, safety- and thrift-focused; prefers human, daytime, Spanish-supported service.
Esther Hernandez
Esther Hernandez, 31, a never-married single mom in rural Springfield, IL, is an operations and maintenance supervisor at a limestone quarry. High-earning homeowner with mobile-only internet, she prioritizes safety, reliability, time savings, pragmatism, community, and disciplined budgeting.
Brenda Abrajan
Brenda Abrajan, 82, married in Gresham, OR, is a retired auto-parts office manager. A fiscally conservative Catholic, mortgage-free and tech-capable, she gardens, loves classic cars, road-trips, and trusts reliable, easy-to-use products with clear value and human support.
Nancy Sandoval
Nancy Sandoval, 88, is a never-married San Franciscan living alone in a Pacific Heights condo. A retired arts development leader with $200k+ investment income, she’s pragmatic, fiscally conservative, mobile-only online, health-conscious, and active in local volunteering, culture, and walking routines.
Velma Perezvasquez
Velma Perezvasquez, 66, is a widowed Miami condo owner and retired cruise-line marketing pro. She lives alone with her terrier, is fiscally careful and tech-capable, prioritizes safety and community, and enjoys fitness, casual gaming, travel, and local culture.
Beverly Hammer
Beverly Hammer, 90, is a married Rochester, NY homeowner and retired administrative coordinator with one adult child. A Catholic crafter who speaks Spanish at home, she values clarity, safety, reliability, uses an iPad/iPhone, and leads a senior-center craft circle.
Robert Rincon
Robert Rincon, 75, is a widowed, bilingual Charlotte, NC retiree and former automotive operations manager. Lives alone, mortgage-free homeowner with high, well-managed investment income; values reliability and craftsmanship; active in DIY, classic cars, gardening, and Catholic parish volunteering.
Camesha Villalpando
Camesha Villalpando, 26, is a Sterling Heights, MI-based wholesale account executive and co-parent of a four-year-old. She earns $200k+, owns a townhouse, studies marketing part-time, prioritizes time-saving, reliability, and transparent value, and aims for a regional sales manager role.
Erica Serrano
Erica Serrano, 45, is a Dallas-based senior field operations engineer in electric utilities. Divorced and child-free, bilingual in Spanish, she values safety and reliability, lives rurally, budgets diligently, and enjoys fitness, trails, dogs, and regional road trips.
Matthew Guedea
Matthew Guedea is a 50-year-old suburban Syracuse security operations manager with a graduate degree and a disciplined, risk-aware mindset. Married to a Filipina American ICU nurse, he balances demanding on-call work with structured routines, community volunteering, and practical hobbies. He spends intentionally, favors reliability and TCO, and expects privacy, clarity, and service from brands. Media and tech choices are utilitarian; food and fitness routines are steady and health-aware. He responds to neutral, evidence-based messaging and clear guarantees, and he resists complexity, hidden costs, and performative marketing.
Alexandra Zavala
Alexandra Zavala, 30, married Hispanic mom of two in San Antonio, is a bilingual (Spanish-English) WFH Care Navigation Manager in telehealth with $200k+ household income. Organized and community-minded, she prioritizes efficiency, quality, preventive health, and inclusive, transparent brands.
Kerry Rivera
Kerry Rivera, 57, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) telehealth operations manager in St. Petersburg, FL. Never married with no children, she works from home, cooks Mediterranean-Gulf dishes, volunteers as a Spanish patient navigator, and prioritizes durability, privacy, and clear value.
Jay Gutierrez
Jay Gutierrez, 48, is a married operations manager in El Paso, TX. Pragmatic and budget-minded, he’s a DIY, hike-and-movie-weekend type who prizes reliability, clear warranties, and durable, easy‑to‑service gear. No kids; $75k–$99k income.
Edgar Bautista
Edgar Bautista, 87, married in suburban Aurora, IL, works part-time as a client-relations liaison at a wealth firm. Reliability-focused, budget-conscious, and routine-driven, he enjoys cars, classic films, practical tech, light outdoor walks, and manages health via Medicare/Medigap.
Jennifer Gutierrez
Jennifer Gutierrez, 34, is a bilingual healthcare operations/data consultant in Racine, WI, earning $200k+ via her LLC. Mobile-first and transit-using, she values flexibility and transparency, volunteers locally, and balances thrifty style with durable, high-quality essentials.
Michael Parra
Michael Parra, 63, is a San Diego-based Senior Sales Operations Manager. Married with no children; rents in Little Italy. Financially comfortable ($200k+), tech-forward, eco-conscious. Enjoys home cooking, cars (Lexus hybrid, Miata tinkering), and woodworking; planning retirement in 3–4 years.
Allyson Ramirez
Allyson Ramirez is a 29, Spanish-born public sector program operations analyst in San Francisco, co-parenting two young kids. Condo owner, budget-conscious, mobile-only internet user; values reliability, safety, and transparency. Bilingual, fitness-minded, aiming to advance into program management.
John Quero
Liam Lopez, 55, is a senior operations manager at a regional bank in Topeka, KS. A fiscally conservative, community-minded homeowner who values reliability, privacy, and craftsmanship; keeps a low-tech home; gardens, volunteers, and mentors colleagues.
Ronni Rodriguez
Ronni Rodriguez, 34, is a Fresno-based client services/project manager at a boutique digital agency. Separated, child-free homeowner with a rescue dog, she’s ASL-fluent, budget-minded, offline-first (no home internet), politically Democrat-leaning, currently uninsured, valuing durability, accessibility, and transparency.
Scott Llerena
1) Basic Demographics
Scott Llerena is a 62-year-old married man living in the planned, leafy suburb of Columbia, Maryland. He’s White (Non-Hispanic), a U.S. citizen, an...
Dennis Manley
Dennis Manley, 34, is a rural Salt Lake City telehealth operations leader and co-parent of a 6-year-old. He earns $200k+, works mostly from home, values reliability, budgets rigorously, and spends free time trail-running, woodworking, and photography.
Danny Meza
Danny Meza, 60, is a Sacramento-based public-sector operations leader with high, steady income. Owns a nearly paid-off bungalow, lives solo with a Lab, values reliability and efficiency, is mobile-first, car- and fitness-focused, and plans retirement within 5–7 years.
Age
Sex / Gender
Race / Ethnicity
Locale (Top)
Occupations (Top)
| Age bucket | Male count | Female count |
|---|
| Income bucket | Participants | US households |
|---|
| Name | Response | Age | City | Country | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Ruiz | Part A: Agree, pretty strongly. Travel is chaos, and bringing your own comforts is just common sense—especially with kids. I’m not “proving” anything by suffering through bad coffee and overpriced snacks.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
33 | Lakewood | USA | Leasing Consultant |
| Allyson Ramirez | Part A: I agree—especially for families. New places are fun, but small, familiar routines keep everyone sane. Anyone claiming they don’t need home comforts is either traveling solo or lying to themselves.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
29 | San Francisco | USA | Program Analyst |
| Alexander Cortez | Part A: I mostly agree. When you’re living out of a suitcase and every hotel room smells like “industrial lemon,” a couple familiar routines keep you sane. But if you’re basically recreating your living room on the road, what’s the point of traveling? Keep a few anchors, don’t bring the whole pantry.
Part B: Yeah, I do this, but in a focused way:
|
38 | Austin | USA | Real Estate Agent |
| Alyson Velasquez | Part A: Mostly agree. People like a couple familiar anchors when they’re out of their element. Just… don’t turn a trip into a traveling living room. I’m not packing half my pantry or scheduling sightseeing around a Hulu drop.
Part B: Yeah, I do this—lightly.
|
39 | Tampa | USA | Operations Manager |
| Amber Ruiz | Part A: Mostly agree. Travel is still chaotic and de-personalized, so people cling to routines that keep them sane. But the “prepare a beloved meal” bit is niche—unless you’ve got a kitchenette, no one’s whipping up Sunday lasagna in a hotel room. Snacks and streaming? Absolutely. Cooking on the road? Rare.
Part B: Yes, I do this—but I’m not hauling a Dutch oven through DIA.
|
39 | Lakewood | USA | Operations Manager |
| Alberto Zavala | Part A: I mostly agree. A little routine takes the edge off travel chaos. Just don’t turn a trip into hauling half your pantry and pretending you never left home.
Part B: Yeah, I do this in a light-touch way.
|
45 | Fresno | USA | Sales Operations Manager |
| Alexandra Zavala | Part A: I mostly agree. Familiar comforts make travel less chaotic—especially with kids. I’m skeptical about “cooking a beloved meal” unless there’s a kitchenette; it’s usually snacks and streaming, not full-on meal prep.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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30 | San Antonio | USA | Care Navigation Manager |
| Amelia Johnson | Part A: I agree. People cling to small routines when travel is tiring and fussy. Hotel coffee is dreadful, mini-bars are a racket, and keeping one or two home habits does make the whole thing less irritating.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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88 | San Francisco | USA | Development Director |
| Amelia Miller | Part A: I strongly agree. Of course people will cling to a few homey rituals on the road—why pretend we become different humans in a hotel? Streaming makes routines portable, and with kids especially, familiar comforts are the difference between “nice trip” and “meltdown tour.”
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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35 | Alexandria | USA | Management/Business/Science/Arts |
| Andy Zavala | Part A: Mostly agree. People want a few anchors when they’re out of their element—streaming makes it effortless, and an Airbnb kitchen begs for a simple, familiar meal. Just don’t turn travel into an off-site apartment; if you’re hauling half your pantry, you’ve missed the point.
Part B: Yes, I do a pared‑down version.
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58 | New York | USA | Wardrobe Consultant |
| Ashley Velasquez | Part A: I agree—but let’s not act like it’s some 2026 revelation. People have always packed their sanity with them, especially parents. With travel being a mess half the time, bringing your own comforts isn’t a trend; it’s survival and it makes trips actually enjoyable.
Part B: Yes, I do this every trip.
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29 | Mount Pleasant | USA | Real Estate Agent |
| Barbara Ramirez | Part A: I mostly agree. Folks cling to little routines when they’re out of their element—snacks, shows, comfort recipes. I do it myself, just not to the point of hauling half my kitchen.
Part B: Yes, I would.
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62 | Columbus | USA | Construction Superintendent |
| Benjamin Wright | Part A: Mostly agree. People have always tucked a bit of home into their bags; calling it a 2026 “trend” is marketing fluff. With travel feeling more chaotic and hotel quality hit-or-miss, a couple familiar comforts are a cheap way to keep your bearings. Just don’t turn a trip into a mobile replica of your living room.
Part B: Yes, but I keep it light.
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60 | Sacramento | USA | Procurement Manager |
| Beverly Hammer | Part A: I agree, largely. By 2026—with all the nickel‑and‑diming and fussy hotel “amenities”—most folks will cling to small routines. Familiar snacks, a favorite show, a simple meal in a rental kitchen—it settles the nerves. The thrill‑seekers won’t bother, but most travelers will. Part B: Yes, I would—and do.
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90 | Rochester | USA | N/A |
| Brenda Abrajan | Part A: I agree—strongly. Most folks, especially older travelers and families, cling to small routines because they lower stress, save a few dollars, and make unfamiliar places feel less fussy. With streaming and coolers, it’s easy now. And frankly, I don’t buy the idea you must “unplug” to have a real trip—comforts and curiosity can coexist.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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82 | Gresham | USA | N/A |
| Buster Morales | Part A: I mostly agree. Travel’s gotten noisy and odd, and a couple of familiar anchors can keep you sane. But if you’re hauling your whole pantry and bingeing the same shows every night, well, you might as well stay home. One or two comforts, then go taste where you are—otherwise it turns into beige mush.
Part B: Yes, I’d do a little of this—not a circus.
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90 | El Paso | USA | Logistics Entrepreneur |
| Camesha Villalpando | Part A: Mostly agree—call it an 8/10. Familiar rituals make travel less annoying, especially with a kid. Just don’t turn a trip into a clone of your living room, or why even leave? Part B: Yes, I do this.
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26 | Sterling Heights | USA | Sales/Office |
| Cara Ortega | Part A: Mostly agree. People cling to little routines when they’re out of their element. Snacks and a familiar show take the edge off. Just don’t turn your suitcase into a pantry—travel is travel.
Part B: Yes, I do a bit.
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56 | Edison | USA | N/A |
| Carey Quintero | Part A: I mostly agree. People cling to small routines when travel is chaotic. Snacks and shows, sure. The “cook a beloved meal” part feels unrealistic unless you’ve got a kitchenette—most hotel rooms barely have a decent mug, let alone space to cook.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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57 | Harrisburg | USA | Operations Director |
| Carla Jorge | Part A: Agree, but let’s not pretend it’s some 2026 revelation. People have always clung to a few rituals on the road because travel is chaotic and hotel pillows lie. So yes—this will keep happening, because it works.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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48 | Toledo | USA | Public Utilities Manager |
| Christine Garcia | Part A: Mostly agree. People are tired, trips are expensive, and a little routine keeps you sane. Streaming follows you everywhere now, and frankly, airport snacks cost a kidney. Sure, some folks want pure novelty, but for families and anyone who likes sleeping at night, bringing comforts makes the whole thing less chaotic.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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49 | Southaven | USA | N/A |
| Christopher Garcia | Part A: I mostly agree. Comfort rituals do take the edge off being away—call it a 7/10. But if you’re hauling half your pantry to a Marriott, you’re kind of missing the point. I’d rather taste where I am than recreate my Tuesday-night routine on the road.
Part B: Yeah, I do a light version of this—enough to keep me sane, not bubble-wrapped.
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32 | Tampa | USA | Power Lineman |
| Christopher Rodriguez | Part A Agree—pretty strongly. It’s not some bold 2026 “trend,” it’s just human nature. Travel knocks you off your rhythm; familiar rituals smooth the edges. Streaming and lightweight gear just make it easier to keep those comforts with you. Part B Yes, I do this. - Coffee ritual: I pack a collapsible pour-over, a small hand grinder, and my beans so I’m not stuck with burnt lobby coffee. - Food comfort: If I’ve got an Airbnb, I’ll cook a simple picadillo one night—nothing fancy, just my seasonings and a pan—to make the place feel like home. |
46 | Jacksonville | USA | Risk Analytics Director |
| Dana Perez | Part A: Mostly agree. After the last few chaotic years, people cling to small rituals that feel like control. I get it. That said, I don’t buy the “pack your whole pantry” trend—comfort shouldn’t turn a trip into a mobile apartment. Part B: Yes, but selectively. I’m not dragging half my kitchen through TSA. - I keep my morning ritual: downloaded Spanish news podcast + decent coffee (single‑serve pour-over packets and a collapsible cone in my bag). - I stash favorite snacks—usually chile‑lime almonds and a dark chocolate bar—so I’m not at the mercy of sad airport food. | 33 | Greensboro | USA | Product Manager |
| Daniel Walker | Part A: I mostly agree. These days everything feels a little upside down, and when travel throws you around, a couple familiar habits calm the nerves. I’m not hauling my whole kitchen, but a few comforts go a long way.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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87 | Dallas | USA | N/A |
| David Centurion | Part A: I agree, mostly because this isn’t some new 2026 “trend”—it’s just what normal people do. Travel is tiring and unpredictable, so keeping a couple routines from home keeps your head straight. Nothing fancy, just familiar stuff that works.
Part B: Yeah, I do this.
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33 | Bloomington | USA | Facilities Manager |
| David Garcia | Part A: I mostly agree. A few familiar things can take the edge off being away. But if you’re hauling half your pantry and your exact pillow, you’re turning travel into a mobile living room—may as well stay home.
Part B: Yes, I do this—light touch, not a circus.
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56 | El Paso | USA | Operations Manager |
| David Valencia | Part A: I agree. Travel knocks you off your rhythm, and in a world that already feels noisy and unsettled, a few familiar habits make it easier to relax and sleep.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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69 | Durham | USA | N/A |
| Dennis Manley | Part A: I mostly agree, but this isn’t some new 2026 trend—it’s just how sane people travel. Familiar routines cut friction, especially for parents and anyone dealing with lousy Wi‑Fi or hit‑or‑miss hotel kitchens.
Part B: Yes, I do.
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34 | Salt Lake City | USA | Management/Business/Science/Arts |
| Edgar Bautista | Part A: I agree—mostly. This isn’t new; it’s common sense. Hotels are hit‑or‑miss, and streaming makes it easy to keep routines. Folks like me travel better when a few familiar things are nailed down.
Part B: Yes, I do this—uh, I always have.
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87 | Aurora | USA | Client Relations Liaison |
| Elizabeth Allen | Part A: Mostly agree. Familiar routines calm people down on the road, and it’s easier than ever to tote your habits along. Just don’t turn a trip into your living room—I’m not lugging a spice rack to play chef in a hotel kitchenette.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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66 | Miami | USA | N/A |
| Elvira Serrano | Part A I mostly agree. People have always hauled a bit of home with them—nothing new—because it cuts stress and stomach drama. In 2026 it’s the same story, maybe louder because travel is a hassle. Just don’t turn a trip into a bubble; if you pack your entire pantry, why leave home? Part B Yes, I do this, within reason—I’m not lugging a slow cooker in my carry‑on.
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84 | Sacramento | USA | Operations Consultant |
| Emily Martin | Part A: Mostly agree. Little rituals make travel less annoying and kill decision fatigue. But if you’re hauling half your kitchen to an Airbnb, you’re missing the point of being away.
Part B: Yes—selectively.
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30 | Virginia Beach | USA | Patient Services Manager |
| Eric Vazquez | Part A: Mostly agree. But let’s be real—this isn’t some bold 2026 trend; people have always dragged little comforts along. It just matters more when you’ve got kids and you’re tired of gambling on bad coffee and chaotic meals. Familiar routines calm the noise. Part B: Yes, I do this. - I pack my coffee kit—hand grinder, collapsible pour-over, and a small bag of beans—so my morning doesn’t start with hotel swill. - If there’s a kitchenette, I make a quick arroz y frijoles with tortillas. Simple, cheap, everyone eats, y ya. | 40 | San Francisco | USA | Healthcare Operations Manager |
| Erica Serrano | Part A: Mostly agree. People cling to little routines when everything else about travel is unfamiliar. I roll my eyes at the performative “cozy travel kit” trend, but the instinct to pack a few familiar comforts is very real.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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45 | Dallas | USA | Natural Resources/Construction/Maintenance |
| Esther Hernandez | Part A: Agree. Honestly, this isn’t some “2026 trend”—it’s just common sense, especially for parents. Travel is tiring and inconsistent; bringing a few familiar things keeps everyone steady and saves money and headaches.
Part B: Yes, I already do this and would keep doing it.
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31 | Springfield | USA | Mining Supervisor |
| Gregory Villanueva | Part A: I mostly agree. People like control when they’re out of their element, and it’s easy now to bring little comforts. That said, hauling half your pantry defeats the point—keep it tight.
Part B: Yes, I do a pared‑down version.
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57 | Fresno | USA | Independent Contractor |
| Gwen Vazquez | Part A: Strongly agree. Travel is already a stress test; keeping a couple of home habits—snacks, coffee, a show—takes the edge off and gives you a little control in the chaos. Part B: Yes, I do this.
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47 | San Francisco | USA | Risk & Compliance Manager |
| Henry Martin | Part A I mostly agree. People cling to small rituals when everything else is unfamiliar—makes sense. But hauling half your pantry or obsessing over “keeping up” with shows while you’re in a new city? That’s how you turn a trip into a beige staycation. A couple comforts, sure; beyond that, it’s just baggage—literal and mental. Part B Yeah, I do a pared‑down version, not a traveling living room. Two things I actually keep up with/bring:
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63 | San Diego | USA | Sales/Office |
| Holly Caniz | Part A: I agree, mostly. People cling to little rituals when everything else about travel feels chaotic—familiar tea, a favorite show, a snack that isn’t dusted in salt. Just don’t turn it into hauling your pantry; if your carry‑on sounds like a vending machine, you’ve gone too far.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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73 | Bellevue | USA | Guest Services Lead |
| James Chavez | Part A: I mostly agree, but let’s not pretend it’s some 2026 revelation. Folks have always schlepped a slice of home on the road. Consultants slap a label on basic human comfort and call it a trend. That said, with travel feeling more chaotic and lodgings more interchangeable, those little familiar anchors matter even more.
Part B: Yes, I do this—and I’m not hauling a skillet into a hotel room, either. Two things I keep:
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89 | Durham | USA | Information Governance Consultant |
| James Moreno | Part A: Mostly agree. Not because it’s some “2026 trend,” but because it’s human nature and the tech finally makes it easy. People cling to a couple of routines to keep their head straight on the road. Nothing new—just easier to stream and stock what you actually want instead of settling for hotel junk.
Part B: Yes, but selectively—I’m not hauling my pantry around.
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56 | Fresno | USA | Public Works Director |
| Jared Bruno | Part A: Strongly agree. Honestly, this isn’t some futuristic “trend” — it’s just how normal people travel already, especially if you’ve got a kid and a budget. You bring pieces of home so you’re not stuck overpaying for mediocre stuff or dealing with cranky evenings in a bland hotel room.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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35 | San Jose | USA | Warehouse Supervisor |
| Jennifer Gutierrez | Part A: I mostly agree. When everything else is unfamiliar, a couple home anchors make travel less draining. That said, trying to recreate your living room on the road feels silly—bring a touch or two, not your whole pantry.
Part B: Yes, I do a pared‑back version.
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34 | Racine | USA | Management/Business/Science/Arts |
| Jerry Watson | Part A: I mostly agree. Familiar rituals calm the mind when you’re sleeping in a strange bed. But hauling half your kitchen and chasing every episode on a trip? That’s clutter. Keep it simple. Part B: Yes, I do this—light touch. - I bring my own ground coffee, a sturdy pour‑over cone with filters, and my old Stanley thermos so the morning cafecito tastes right. - I keep my 6 p.m. local‑news habit—whatever station’s there—so the evening feels normal without messing with apps. | 88 | Fresno | USA | Construction Consultant |
| Jessica Pena | Part A: I agree. In a jittery, overhyped travel world, people cling to little rituals that make them feel in control—snacks, coffee setups, and streaming routines. The “live like a local” flex is cute, but comfort wins when you’re tired and living out of a suitcase.
Part B: Yes, I absolutely do this.
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44 | Raleigh | USA | Sales Operations Coordinator |
| Jo Castellanos | Part A: I mostly agree. People cling to routine, especially after the last few chaotic years. A little familiarity takes the edge off strange beds and baffling hotel coffee. Just don’t turn a trip into hauling your pantry around.
Part B: Yes, I do this—selectively.
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81 | Owensboro | USA | Administrative Assistant |
| John Espinoza | Part A: I mostly agree. People cling to a couple of familiar things when everything else about travel is noisy, overpriced, and annoying. Just don’t turn your suitcase into a pantry—bring a comfort or two, not your whole kitchen.
Part B: Yes, I do—within reason.
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76 | St. Petersburg | USA | Operations Manager |
| John Quero | Part A: I mostly agree. People like a couple of grounding rituals when they’re out of their element. That said, I’m not hauling a pantry or chasing every episode on the road—once you turn travel into a mobile living room, you lose the point of being away.
Part B: Yes, but in a pared‑back way.
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55 | Topeka | USA | Bank Operations Manager |
| Joshua Martinez | Part A: Agree—strongly. By 2026 this isn’t a “trend,” it’s baseline common sense. Travel is chaotic; a few familiar anchors cut the friction. Also, nobody actually wants hotel coffee that tastes like wet cardboard.
Part B: Yes, I already do this.
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46 | Ann Arbor | USA | Entrepreneur |
| Joseph Martinez | Part A: Agree, mostly. People like a couple of familiar anchors on the road—especially parents. It takes the edge off. Just don’t expect me to haul an air fryer in a carry-on.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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31 | Joliet | USA | Operations Manager |
| Justin Bishop | Part A Mostly agree, but let’s not pretend it’s new. People have been stuffing comfort snacks and routines into suitcases forever; streaming and better hotel Wi‑Fi just make it louder and easier. A couple of home rituals keep you grounded—then you go out and actually travel. Part B Yeah, I do this—selectively.
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46 | Austin | USA | Hospitality Operations Manager |
| Kathleen Palomino | Part A I mostly agree. When everything else is unfamiliar, a couple of home anchors make the road feel less jangly. Just don’t turn a trip into a traveling living room—bring a few comforts, not your whole pantry. Part B Yes, I do this—but lightly.
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85 | Naperville | USA | Supply Chain Manager |
| Kelvin Moreno | Part A: Agree, mostly. People are fried from chaotic travel and lousy hotel “amenities,” so they cling to small rituals—coffee, snacks, a show—to keep their bearings. It’s not romantic, but it’s sane. That said, hardcore novelty-chasers won’t bother; everyone else will.
Part B: Yes, I do this—sparingly. I’m not hauling my pantry, but I refuse bad hotel coffee and I like one familiar wind-down.
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57 | Henderson | USA | Guest Services Manager |
| Kerry Rivera | Part A: I mostly agree, but let’s not act like this is some shiny 2026 trend. People have always hauled their creature comforts along—now it’s just easier with streaming and Airbnb kitchens. The trick is balance: a couple anchors from home, then get out of your own way and taste where you are.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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57 | St. Petersburg | USA | Telehealth Program Manager |
| Kyle Lopez | Part A: I mostly agree. Honestly, this isn’t some “2026 trend” so much as basic survival. Travel is fun for a day, then you just want your routines back—especially if you’ve got a kid. Comfort beats novelty pretty fast.
Part B: Yeah, I do this.
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30 | Ann Arbor | USA | Homemaker |
| Larry Bishop | Part A: I mostly agree, though spare me the “trend” label. People have always dragged comforts along—now it’s just easier with streaming and a zipper pouch of snacks. Fine, as long as you’re not turning a trip into a bubble-wrapped replica of your living room. Part B: Yes, I do a bit of this. - I bring a few low‑sugar oatmeal packets and some nuts, then use the room kettle or microwave so breakfast tastes like home and doesn’t wreck my sodium. - I keep up with PBS NewsHour in the evening on my iPad—ten minutes is usually enough before lights out. | 83 | Tampa | USA | Front Desk Clerk |
| Larry Hunter | Part A: Mostly agree. Travel’s smoother when you keep a couple familiar habits, but I’m not hauling my spice rack across state lines. A few touchstones, sure; turning a rental kitchen into your home base, no.
Part B: Yes, in a low‑effort way.
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54 | Huntington | USA | Network Operations Manager |
| Lekeshia Vazquez | Part A: I agree—mostly. People are craving a bit of control and grounding, and familiar rituals help. That said, I roll my eyes at folks who pack half their pantry. Bring a few comforts, yes; don’t turn your carry-on into a kitchen.
Part B: Yes, I do this—within reason.
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52 | Des Moines | USA | N/A |
| Leon Hunter | Part A: I mostly agree. People are creatures of habit, and travel’s chaotic enough. A couple familiar things takes the edge off. Doesn’t mean hauling half your kitchen, but yeah—snacks, a go-to meal, or your regular show on a tablet—makes sense.
Part B: Yes, I do it, but selectively. I’m not babysitting a TV schedule on the road.
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55 | Greensboro | USA | Fleet Supervisor |
| Leroy Murillo | Part A: Mostly agree. People crave a few anchors when everything else is unfamiliar. By 2026 it’s even easier—streaming everywhere, cheap snacks in a tote—so yeah, comfort creep will keep growing. Just don’t bring your whole pantry and call it “travel.”
Part B: I do this, but minimally.
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58 | Fresno | USA | IT Professional |
| Liam Garcia | Part A: I agree, but let’s not act like it’s some 2026 breakthrough. People have always hauled a few creature comforts on trips. Travel’s chaotic; a couple familiar anchors keep you sane.
Part B: Yeah, I do this.
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56 | Little Rock | USA | Healthcare Operations Manager |
| Lyndsay Santiago | Part A: I mostly agree. This isn’t some new “trend,” it’s just being human—especially if you’re traveling with kids. Familiar stuff keeps everyone sane and saves money. Sure, twenty-somethings chasing novelty might wing it, but most regular travelers will pack their comforts without blinking.
Part B: Yep, I already do this and will keep doing it.
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39 | Atlanta | USA | Product Manager |
| Madison Solis | Part A: Agree. When you’re out of your rhythm—especially with a toddler—familiar stuff keeps everyone sane. I wouldn’t bother “keeping up” with weekly TV while traveling; I’m not burning hotspot data for that.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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26 | Springfield | USA | Project Manager |
| Marissa Penuelas | Part A: Mostly agree. People cling to a couple of familiar routines when they’re out of their element—it keeps the wheels from coming off. But if you’re hauling half your pantry, you’re missing the point of travel.
Part B: Yes, I do this—lightly.
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47 | Jacksonville | USA | Key Account Manager |
| Matthew Guedea | Part A: I agree. Travel’s enough of a circus as it is; people hang onto a few familiar things to keep the stress down. Nothing new, just more obvious now that streaming and snacks follow us everywhere. Part B: Yes, I do this. I like to control a couple variables so I don’t get cranky. - I pack a small snack kit—beef jerky, roasted nuts, and a couple SkyFlakes for Maya—so I’m not stuck with overpriced junk. - I keep up with the Bills or Syracuse games on my iPad or find a nearby sports bar. It’s a little piece of normal at the end of a long day. | 50 | Syracuse | USA | Service |
| Matthew Perez | Part A: Mostly agree. People are creatures of habit, and travel is already enough of a hassle. A familiar coffee or snack cuts the edge. Keeping up with a weekly show? I get it, though I’d rather not plan a trip around a TV schedule.
Part B: Yeah, I do this.
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39 | Syracuse | USA | Operations Director |
| Matthew Zermeno | Part A: Mostly agree. Comfort creep is real, and by 2026 people will drag their routines with them—snacks, streaming, even coffee rigs—because it kills friction. Just don’t turn your trip into a knockoff of your living room; otherwise, what’s the point of leaving?
Part B: Yeah, I do this—but selectively.
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27 | West Valley City | USA | Real Estate Investor |
| Melanie Perez | Part A: Strongly agree. Travel feels more chaotic and impersonal these days, and those little rituals from home are what keep you sane. Tossing a few comforts in your carry-on is an easy win.
Part B: Yes, I absolutely do this. I’m not schlepping a pillow through LAX, but I always:
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66 | Los Angeles | USA | Real Estate Agent |
| Melissa Rios | Part A: Agree, mostly. This isn’t some “new 2026 trend”—people have always dragged a bit of home along. With travel being a hassle and prices stupid, keeping a few familiar things is just common sense to stay sane.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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49 | Miami | USA | Office Manager |
| Monique Vargas | Part A: I mostly agree. People are clinging to small routines because travel is pricey and exhausting, and a little familiarity keeps you sane. That said, I’m not dragging half my kitchen on vacation—eat local and stop pretending you’re opening a pop-up in your Airbnb. But a favorite snack and your same nighttime show? Totally normal.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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52 | Springfield | USA | Operations Manager |
| Neil Mejorada | Part A: I mostly agree. People cling to routines because travel is a pain—delays, weird beds, mystery coffee. A couple familiar things take the edge off. But let’s be real: the “cook your beloved meal” bit is fantasy unless you’ve got an Airbnb. Nobody’s searing skirt steak in a Courtyard microwave. Pack a few anchors, don’t turn your carry-on into a pantry.
Part B: Yeah, I do this—light, not precious.
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39 | Overland Park | USA | Sales Representative |
| Nickalous Dias | Part A: I mostly agree. Familiar stuff takes the edge off being away, especially with kids. But I’m not hauling half the kitchen just to pretend a hotel room is home. Part B: Yeah, I do this in a light-touch way. - Pack our go-to snacks (Costco trail mix for me, seaweed snacks for Camila) so we’re not hunting overpriced junk. - Keep up with our current show at night by downloading episodes before we go. Keeps the routine without turning the trip into a production. | 44 | San Diego | USA | Sales Operations Coordinator |
| Nicole Flores | Part A: I mostly agree. Travelers won’t recreate their whole kitchen, but a couple of low-effort rituals—favorite snacks, a familiar brew, a show queued up—make unfamiliar days less annoying. It’s about portable comforts, not hauling home with you.
Part B: Yes, I do this—kept lean so it fits carry-on.
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36 | Rochester | USA | Operations Director |
| Norma Bustamante | Part A: I strongly agree. This isn’t some new “trend,” it’s just common sense. When you’re away, everything’s loud, the pillows smell like bleach, and the food is salty and overpriced. Keeping your little routines—snacks, your show, your own coffee—settles you. In 2026, 1996, whatever—people do this because it works.
Part B: Yes, I do it—of course I do. Uh, let me think—two things:
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88 | Paterson | USA | Dispatcher |
| Norman Jerez | Part A: I mostly agree. Familiar rituals take the edge off of travel, and with kitchens in rentals and streaming everywhere, it’s easy. Just don’t turn the trip into a portable living room—that defeats the point. Part B: Yes, I do this in a light-touch way. - Coffee ritual: I pack an Aeropress Go and a small hand grinder so I can have my usual black coffee; on Saturdays I’ll still hunt down a local spot for a proper cappuccino. - Weekly wind-down: I download the current Hulu show before I leave and watch an episode at night without wrestling with hotel TVs. | 38 | Davenport | USA | Industrial Designer |
| Regenia Munoz | Part A: I mostly agree. This isn’t new—people have always clung to small routines to stay sane on the road—but with pricey airport food and chaotic travel, folks will lean even harder on familiar comforts. Just don’t turn your carry-on into a traveling pantry; that’s ridiculous.
Part B: Yes, I do this—selectively.
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58 | St. Petersburg | USA | Operations Manager |
| Renee Jerez | Part A: I agree, but let’s not act like it’s some shiny 2026 “trend.” People have always hauled their comforts along—especially if you’re dealing with weather delays and weird hotel kitchens. It’s just common sense, not futurism.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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54 | Juneau | USA | Operations Manager |
| Richard Dias | Part A: I mostly agree. People like their routines, and travel’s gotten chaotic enough that a couple familiar things keep you sane. That said, I’m not turning a hotel room into my living room—bring a few comforts, sure, but don’t haul a spice rack.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
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56 | Tampa | USA | Event Operations Manager |
| Riley Rodriguez | Part A: Somewhat agree. People lean on a couple familiar rituals when they’re out of their element, but most of us aren’t hauling half the kitchen. Comfort matters; so does packing light. Part B: Yes, in a limited way. - I bring my go-to snacks (unsalted nuts and a couple protein bars) so I’m not stuck with overpriced, salty airport junk. - I keep up with my weekly stuff—mainly Grizzlies games and one or two shows—by downloading to my phone before I leave. | 54 | Memphis | USA | IT Operations Manager |
| Robert Longoria | Part A: I agree. Travel’s gotten noisy and nickel‑and‑dimed; bringing your own comforts keeps your head straight and your stomach settled.
Part B: Yes, I do that.
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77 | Indianapolis | USA | Maintenance Supervisor |
| Robert Navarro | Part A: Agree, mostly. Novelty is great for a day or two, then routine wins. A couple of familiar anchors—your own snacks, your shows—take the edge off travel fatigue. I don’t need to cosplay as a local to enjoy a city. Part B: Yes, I already do. - I pack oatmeal packets and roasted almonds so breakfast isn’t a scavenger hunt. - I keep up with Jaguars games on the ESPN/Jags app, even if I’m in a hotel. | 58 | Jacksonville | USA | Facilities Director |
| Robert Rincon | Part A: Agree, but let’s not act like it’s some new 2026 revelation. People have always packed a few familiar things because travel is a hassle and predictability is calming. Common sense, not a trend.
Part B: Yes, I do this—within reason. I’m not hauling half my kitchen.
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75 | Charlotte | USA | N/A |
| Roland Bolt | Part A: I agree, but let’s not pretend it’s some 2026 revelation. Folks have always tucked a bit of home into their suitcase. Familiar routines calm the nerves when travel gets noisy and fussy—especially for those of us who’ve earned our gray hair.
Part B: Yes, I do this—within reason. I’m not hauling half the pantry, but a couple comforts make the road feel steadier.
|
85 | Chesapeake | USA | Hvac Contractor |
| Ronald Rodriguez | Part A: I mostly agree. Travel’s gotten chaotic and impersonal, so people cling to a couple familiar routines to stay sane. Just don’t turn a trip into a mobile replica of your kitchen—pack two comforts, not your pantry.
Part B: Yes, in a limited way.
|
49 | Pawtucket | USA | Operations Manager |
| Ronald Torres | Part A: I mostly agree. People already do this, and in 2026 it’ll just be more of the same. A couple familiar anchors make travel smoother. Just don’t haul your whole living room—otherwise, why leave home?
Part B: Yes, I do a pared‑down version.
|
57 | Sacramento | USA | Site Superintendent |
| Ronni Rodriguez | Part A: I mostly agree, but let’s not act like it’s some bold 2026 trend. People have always smuggled a little home into their trips because travel is chaotic and expensive and everyone’s anxious. Familiar routines are a cheap way to keep your head on straight when the rest of it is a mess.
Part B: Yeah, I do this—sparingly. I’m not hauling a suitcase full of gadgets.
|
34 | Fresno | USA | Management/Business/Science/Arts |
| Sahar Pereira | Part A: I mostly agree. But let’s be honest—this isn’t some 2026 “trend.” People have always brought creature comforts. Streaming and Airbnb kitchens just make it easier to keep routines without turning a trip into chaos, especially with kids.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
44 | Vancouver | USA | Security Supervisor |
| Samuel Clark | Part A: I mostly agree. People cling to a few routines because travel’s already a hassle; a couple comforts take the edge off. But let’s not turn a trip into a moving day—if you need your exact pillow, mug, and spice rack, maybe just stay home.
Part B: Yeah, I do it—light touch, not a rolling pantry.
|
48 | El Paso | USA | Operations Manager |
| Scott Llerena | Part A: I mostly agree. Travel’s chaotic enough these days; a little home routine keeps you sane. Just don’t turn your Airbnb into a replica of your living room—being a little uncomfortable is kind of the point.
Part B: Yes, I do this—but in small, sane doses.
|
62 | Columbia | USA | Healthcare Attorney |
| Solon Cabrera | Part A: Mostly agree, but let’s not act like it’s some 2026 breakthrough. People have been hauling their little comforts forever. It’s just common sense dressed up as a “trend.” Travel’s gotten more irritating—fees, flaky Wi‑Fi, loud hotels—so yeah, folks cling to routine. Nothing new.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
63 | Kansas City | USA | Facilities Manager |
| Stephanie Sanchez | Part A: I mostly agree. Honestly, this isn’t some 2026 revolution—it’s already how most normal people travel, especially families. Routines and familiar snacks keep everyone sane, and with kitchens in rentals and everything streamable offline, it’s easy. Sure, backpacker types won’t care, but mainstream travelers will keep leaning into comfort because travel is stressful and expensive.
Part B: Yes, I do this—selectively, nothing bulky.
|
37 | Syracuse | USA | Regional Operations Manager |
| Sue Cortes | Part A: I mostly agree. This isn’t some brave new 2026 trend—it’s what sensible travelers have always done. The tools just make it easier now, and a little familiarity takes the edge off fussy hotels and long days.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
81 | Austin | USA | Nonprofit Administrator |
| Taryn Fuentes | Part A: Agree—pretty strongly. People want a bit of control and normalcy when they’re out of their routine. I’m not hauling my whole pantry, but a few anchors make travel less annoying.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
28 | Jackson | USA | Fraud Risk Manager |
| Timothy Villatoro | Part A: I mostly agree. This isn’t some bold 2026 trend so much as common sense we’ve been doing forever—people like routine, prices are dumb for junk food, and hotel “comforts” are hit-or-miss. Folks will keep a couple familiar things close just to keep the day steady. Part B: Yes, I already do it. - I pack a small soft cooler with homemade trail mix and a little bottle of hot sauce (Elena’s salsa macha or Cholula) to rescue bland hotel breakfasts and roadside meals. If I’m flying, it goes in the checked bag. - I keep up with the Grizzlies and my Sunday PBS hour; if the hotel TV pulls it in, great—otherwise I catch the radio call on my phone. No need to haul half the house along. | 64 | Memphis | USA | N/A |
| Tina Madera | Part A: Mostly agree. People crave a couple familiar anchors to cut the friction of being away, not a whole living‑room transplant. Comfort, yes; hauling half your pantry or chasing “weekly TV” on vacation, no thanks.
Part B: Yes, I do this—sparingly. I’m not lugging an air fryer across state lines.
|
44 | Chesapeake | USA | Production/Transportation/Material Moving |
| Wayne Rasco | Part A: Mostly agree. Folks cling to little rituals when everything else is unfamiliar—makes the bumps of travel smoother. That said, I’m not hauling half my pantry or chasing weekly TV while I’m out seeing someplace new. A comfort or two, sure; a mobile living room, no gracias.
Part B: Yeah, I do a bit of this.
|
60 | Sacramento | USA | Lineworker |
| William Cisneros | Part A: I agree—mostly. Travel’s exciting, but people still want a couple anchors from home. Airports and hotels are impersonal; a familiar ritual takes the edge off. I don’t buy the “go fully native” fantasy—most folks like a safety line.
Part B: Yes, I do this—though not the weekly TV bit.
|
78 | Vancouver | USA | Fleet Maintenance Manager |
| William Deleon | Part A: I mostly agree. Travel is chaotic, and small routines—your own snacks, a familiar meal—do help you stay grounded. Just don’t haul your whole pantry; you’re there to experience a new place, not recreate your kitchen on wheels.
Part B: Yes, I do this in a low-key way.
|
53 | Rochester | USA | Leasing Manager |
| Zoey Rodriguez | Part A: I agree, mostly. This isn’t some groundbreaking 2026 trend—it’s what people with real lives have always done. When you’re juggling kids, budgets, and sleep, a few familiar comforts beat the performative “live like a local” thing every time.
Part B: Yes, I do this.
|
49 | San Diego | USA | Management/Business/Science/Arts |
Overview
Notable divergences: a minority take more elaborate or culturally specific approaches — bringing perishables in a soft cooler, transporting a stovetop percolator, maintaining religious rituals with dedicated kits, or carrying low‑tech fallbacks like an AM/FM radio. These outliers show demand for travel solutions that support cultural rituals, perishable comfort foods, and reliable low‑bandwidth access.
Example Quote(s):
- Dennis Manley: "Aeropress, hand grinder, and my beans so I’m not stuck with burnt lobby swill."
- Amelia Miller: "Keep Friday movie night on the iPad in a hotel/Airbnb—same cozy ritual, new couch."
- Alexander Cortez: "Keep a few anchors, don’t bring the whole pantry—if you’re recreating your living room on the road, what’s the point of traveling?"
Themes
| Theme | Count | Persona | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliberate minimalism / light-touch comfort (bring a couple of anchors, not the whole pantry) | 81 | Alexander Cortez | Keep a few anchors, don’t bring the whole pantry—if you’re recreating your living room on the road, what’s the point of traveling? |
| Streaming & downloaded media as evening anchors (shows, sports, news, religious services) | 67 | Amelia Miller | Keep Friday movie night on the iPad in a hotel/Airbnb—same cozy ritual, new couch. |
| Portable coffee rituals and gear (Aeropress, pour-over, instant, grinders) | 60 | Dennis Manley | Aeropress, hand grinder, and my beans so I’m not stuck with burnt lobby swill. |
| Snacks & portable food kits (family-focused staples to avoid poor/expensive options) | 65 | Ashley Velasquez | Goldfish and fruit pouches for the kids, a couple protein bars for me—plus Starbucks VIA and my little milk frother. |
| Family/children routines drive choices (bedtime stories, favorite snacks, predictable rituals) | 45 | Alexandra Zavala | Familiar comforts make travel less chaotic—especially with kids... quick bilingual bedtime story and one Bluey episode for the kids. |
| Simple cooking / spice kits for one-night home meals in rentals | 29 | Christopher Rodriguez | If I’ve got an Airbnb, I’ll cook a simple picadillo one night—nothing fancy, just my seasonings and a pan. |
| Tech & portable gear enabling the ritual (collapsible cones, filters, offline downloads) | 20 | Gwen Vazquez | I pack a flat-pack pour-over cone, filters, and my own beans—hotel coffee is brown sadness. |
| Cost/value & quality avoidance (save money; avoid overpriced mini-bars / airport food / bad coffee) | 48 | Brenda Abrajan | A small soft cooler with grapes, Tillamook cheddar, and good crackers—so I’m not at the mercy of sad lobby snacks. |
| Cultural & ritual anchors (regional condiments, mate, religious practices) | 29 | Kyle Lopez | My mate kit — gourd, bombilla, and yerba. That first pour in the morning makes anywhere feel like home. |
Outliers
| Persona | Snippet | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Brenda Abrajan | A small soft cooler with grapes, Tillamook cheddar, and good crackers—so I’m not at the mercy of sad lobby snacks. | Transporting perishables and specialty cheese (soft cooler) is more elaborate and logistically intensive than the common dry/instant snack strategy; suggests demand for premium, travel-stable perishable kits or nearby sourcing guidance. |
| Alexandra Zavala | a small jar of salsa macha to fix bland hotel food. | A culturally specific, strongly flavored condiment stands out versus generic seasonings and signals interest in small, travel-safe condiment solutions that preserve home flavors. |
| Kyle Lopez | My mate kit — gourd, bombilla, and yerba. That first pour in the morning makes anywhere feel like home. | A distinct cultural ritual (mate) requiring dedicated accessories rather than generic coffee/tea gear; indicates niche but highly sticky product opportunities and cultural-market considerations. |
| Lekeshia Vazquez | Pared-down Shabbat kit: two LED tea lights in my toiletries bag; I pick up good bread and a tiny bottle of wine wherever I am. | Religious ritual maintained on the road illustrates demand for discreet travel-sized ritual solutions and guidance for local procurement of faith-specific items. |
| John Quero | I’ll catch the Chiefs or local news on whatever over-the-air channels the hotel gets; if that fails, I toss a pocket AM/FM radio in the bag. | Low-tech fallback (AM/FM radio) contrasts with the streaming-heavy norm and highlights interest in reliable, low-bandwidth access options for live events or news. |
| William Cisneros | Stovetop percolator + my coffee beans so the morning tastes right. | Bringing a stovetop percolator signals a willingness to recreate a near-home brewing setup — a heavier, more equipment-intensive approach than the compact-gear preference seen in most responses. |
Overview
Key Segments
| Segment | Attributes | Insight | Supporting Personas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents with young children | Parent: true; children in household; varied incomes and ages | Parents prioritize child-centered comforts—pre-downloaded kids’ shows, snacks, bedtime-story routines and small meal fixes—to minimize meltdowns, save money, and preserve caregiving rhythms while traveling. | Amanda Ruiz, Allyson Ramirez, Alexandra Zavala, Jared Bruno, Joseph Martinez, Madison Solis, Monique Vargas, Stephanie Sanchez, Zoey Rodriguez |
| Coffee-centric urban travelers | Urban/resident in major metros; professional/service occupations; ages ~30–60 | Morning coffee is a primary ritual anchor: many carry compact gear (AeroPress/pour-over/hand grinder) or strong instant packets to avoid hotel coffee and preserve their routine—willing to carry small tech/equipment for this benefit. | Alexander Cortez, Carla Jorge, Gwen Vazquez, Andy Zavala, Dennis Manley, Eric Vazquez, Henry Martin, James Moreno, Jennifer Gutierrez |
| Hispanic cultural-food anchors | Hispanic ethnicity or Spanish-speaking; varied ages and incomes | Food acts as an identity-preserving anchor. Respondents bring culturally specific staples and condiments (Café Bustelo, Tajín, Valentina, sofrito, tortillas) to maintain familiar flavors and emotional connection to home when hotel/airport options are bland. | Amanda Ruiz, Carla Jorge, Barbara Ramirez, Jessica Pena, John Espinoza, Norma Bustamante, Monique Vargas, William Cisneros, Tina Madera |
| Older / senior travelers | Age 60+ (including 80+); many retired; mixed tech comfort | Seniors emphasize predictable evening rituals (tea, nightly news/Jeopardy/PBS) and low-effort comforts, yet many adopt streaming/downloads or tablets to preserve those routines—showing cross-generational tech uptake when it supports habit continuity. | Amelia Johnson, Beverly Hammer, Brenda Abrajan, Buster Morales, James Chavez, Jerry Watson, Roland Bolt |
| Airbnb / kitchen-enabled travelers | Travelers who choose rentals or longer stays; open to cooking; mixed incomes | Cooking a simple familiar meal is conditional: when a kitchenette is available, many will prepare one home-style dish (tacos, rice & beans) rather than hauling a full pantry—kitchen access materially increases the likelihood of food-based comforts. | Alberto Zavala, Christopher Rodriguez, Ashley Velasquez, David Centurion, Gregory Villanueva, Justin Bishop, Nicole Flores |
| Practical / operations & mid-career workers | Facilities, operations, fleet, and hands-on occupations; value-driven behaviors | Pragmatism drives choices: compact, low-cost comforts (nuts, trail mix, hot sauce packets, radio or downloaded sports) aimed at avoiding poor food and inconsistent hotel offerings rather than luxury items. | Robert Longoria, Robert Navarro, Solon Cabrera, Wayne Rasco, William Cisneros, Scott Llerena |
| Tech-savvy / streaming-focused professionals | Comfortable with devices; professional/managerial roles; younger to mid-age | Digital strategies (pre-downloading shows, using HDMI, streaming sports) are a common, low-bulk way to maintain evening rituals and reduce reliance on hotel Wi‑Fi—media continuity is as important as physical snacks or coffee for emotional comfort. | Allyson Ramirez, Amelia Miller, Benjamin Wright, Carey Quintero, Elizabeth Allen, Matthew Zermeno |
Shared Mindsets
| Trait | Signal | Personas |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee ritual as non-negotiable anchor | Across demographics, maintaining a morning coffee routine—by bringing craft gear or strong instant packets—is a common, low-bulk strategy to preserve normalcy on the road. | Alexander Cortez, Carla Jorge, Dennis Manley, Eric Vazquez, James Moreno, Benjamin Wright, Jennifer Gutierrez |
| Portable snack kit for convenience and cost control | Packing familiar snacks (nuts, protein bars, culturally specific crackers) is widely used to avoid overpriced/low-quality airport and hotel options and to manage hunger for children or long travel days. | Amanda Ruiz, Allyson Ramirez, Ashley Velasquez, Brenda Abrajan, Carey Quintero, Emily Martin, Taryn Fuentes |
| Media/weekly-show continuity to preserve evenings | Maintaining one show or sports ritual—via download or streaming—is a low-effort way travelers recreate the emotional end-of-day routine and feel settled in unfamiliar places. | Amelia Johnson, Allyson Ramirez, Benjamin Wright, Dennis Manley, James Chavez, Samuel Clark, Zoey Rodriguez |
| Light-touch, selective packing norm | Most respondents explicitly reject ‘hauling the pantry’; they prefer a few targeted anchors that deliver the feeling of home without high baggage burden. | Alexander Cortez, Alyson Velasquez, Benjamin Wright, Daniel Walker, Roland Bolt, Stephanie Sanchez, William Cisneros |
| Cooking only when lodging permits | Prepared, home-cooked meals are usually reserved for stays with a kitchen; otherwise people default to snacks or local dining—lodge type strongly moderates food-based comforts. | Alberto Zavala, Christopher Rodriguez, Gregory Villanueva, Justin Bishop, Nicole Flores, William Deleon |
| Cross-generational tech adoption for comfort | Even older respondents often adopt tablets, downloads, or streaming to preserve routines, indicating tech is a bridge for ritual continuity across ages. | Amelia Johnson, Buster Morales, Roland Bolt, James Chavez, Jerry Watson, Scott Llerena |
Divergences
| Segment | Contrast | Personas |
|---|---|---|
| Craft coffee enthusiasts vs instant-preferring pragmatists | Many urban travelers carry pour-over/AeroPress kits as a ritual; a smaller but notable segment favors strong instant packets and low-bulk solutions—same goal (good coffee) but different tolerance for gear/bulk. | Alexander Cortez, Carla Jorge, Dennis Manley, Benjamin Wright |
| Parents (care-focused) vs solo/professional travelers (self-comfort-focused) | Parents emphasize child routines, downloaded kids’ programming, and family meal fixes to reduce stress; solo/professional travelers emphasize personal rituals like coffee and single-show streaming. | Amanda Ruiz, Madison Solis, Jared Bruno, James Moreno, Allyson Ramirez |
| Seniors — low-effort comfort expectation vs active tech adoption | While seniors emphasize simple comforts (tea, radio, nightly news), several older respondents actively use tablets/downloads—contrasting the stereotype that elders avoid digital solutions for comfort. | Amelia Johnson, Buster Morales, Roland Bolt, James Chavez, Norma Bustamante |
| Cultural-food preservation vs mainstream snack strategies | Hispanic respondents bring culturally specific ingredients/condiments as emotional anchors, while others default to generic snack kits—both are light-touch but serve different identity needs. | Amanda Ruiz, Carla Jorge, Jessica Pena, William Cisneros, Tina Madera |
| Expectation of kitchen use (Airbnb) vs hotel-only travelers | Those planning rental stays will cook a single, meaningful meal when possible; hotel-only travelers rarely attempt meal prep and lean fully on snacks and dining out. | Alberto Zavala, Christopher Rodriguez, Ashley Velasquez, Nicole Flores, Robert Longoria |
Follow-up Questions
- How does trip length (weekend vs multi-night) change the number and type of comforts travelers bring?
- What lodging features (kitchen size, coffee maker quality, in-room streaming support) most influence whether travelers decide to pack specific comforts?
- How willing are travelers to pay for on-site provisions (e.g., hotels offering branded cultural condiments, premium coffee kits, or family media bundles) versus bringing their own?
- How do baggage limits, airline carry-on policies, and sustainability concerns (single-use packaging) alter packing choices across demographics?
- For parents: how does children’s age range (infant vs toddler vs school-age) shift the balance between digital downloads and physical snacks/toys?
- Are there regional differences (e.g., U.S. regions or international travelers) in the types of cultural food anchors people prioritize?
- What role do data costs and mobile connectivity constraints play in the decision to pre-download media versus relying on hotel/airline Wi‑Fi?
Overview
Quick Wins (2–4 weeks)
| # | Action | Why | Owner | Effort | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchor Packing Templates | 81% lean into minimal anchors; prebuilt templates (Coffee, Kids Snacks, Simple Spice Kit, Offline Shows) reduce friction and increase pre-trip engagement. | Product (Experimentation) + Design | Low | Med |
| 2 | Offline Readiness Prompts | Many maintain TV/sports/news but face flaky Wi‑Fi; in-flow prompts to download shows, maps, and tickets boost reliability and satisfaction. | Engineering (Client) + Growth | Low | High |
| 3 | Nearby Essentials Cards | Users want quality/cost control; auto-surface closest grocery, coffee, and pharmacy to lodging with hours and walking time. | Content Ops + Partnerships | Med | Med |
| 4 | Routine Reminders (Travel Mode) | Evening/morning rituals anchor trips; lightweight reminders (e.g., “brew kit,” “Friday movie night”) increase daily active use on-trip. | Product + Lifecycle Marketing | Low | Med |
| 5 | In-App Intercept on Comforts | Segment users by anchors (coffee, kids, cultural) to target experiments and measure lift. | User Research + Data Science | Low | Med |
| 6 | Concierge Pilot: Coffee/Spice Kits | Validates willingness to buy curated kits without full marketplace build; manual fulfillment for 50–100 users. | Ops + Partnerships | Med | Med |
Initiatives (30–90 days)
| # | Initiative | Description | Owner | Timeline | Dependencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchor Packs Marketplace (MVP) | Lightweight, affiliate-first catalog of minimal anchor kits (Coffee, Kids Snacks, Simple Cooking, Cultural Condiments).
|
Product (Commerce) + Partnerships + Legal | 90 days to MVP; 30-day A/B test | Affiliate/partner contracts, Attribution/UTM tracking, Legal review (perishables, returns), Basic catalog service |
| 2 | Low-Bandwidth & Offline Reliability | Reduce failure for media/news/sports and maps.
|
Platform Engineering + Mobile | 60–120 days (phased) | Offline storage policy, Background tasks permissions, QA in poor network conditions |
| 3 | Family Profile & Routine Mode | Profiles that store kid ages, snack preferences, and bedtime anchors; smart nudges on-trip.
|
Product (Core) + Design + Lifecycle | 120 days to v1 | Profile schema updates, Notification preference center, COPPA/child privacy review |
| 4 | Cultural & Ritual Comforts Guide | Location-aware micro-guides for cultural rituals (mate, Shabbat, condiments) and sourcing.
|
Content Ops + Community + Legal | 90 days to content v1 across 10 pilot cities | Editorial guidelines, Partner sourcing, Cultural advisory review |
| 5 | Kitchen Night Planner (Rentals) | Plan a single home-style meal in a rental.
|
Product (Discovery) + Content Ops | 90 days to beta | Lodging type detection, Recipe CMS, Store data integrations |
KPIs to Track
| # | KPI | Definition | Target | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchor Engagement Rate | Percent of trips where a user adds at least one anchor (packing template, routine reminder, or marketplace item). | ≥25% within 90 days of launch | Weekly |
| 2 | Offline Readiness Conversion | Share of users who accept offline download prompts and complete download before departure. | ≥35% prompt-to-download conversion in A/B | Weekly |
| 3 | Marketplace Attach Rate | Percent of eligible trips with ≥1 kit clickthrough; percent with completed purchase via affiliate. | 10% clickthrough / 2.5% purchase | Weekly |
| 4 | On-Trip DAU Lift | Relative increase in daily active users on-trip among feature users vs control. | +8–12% DAU among exposed cohort | Biweekly |
| 5 | Connectivity-Related Support Tickets | Volume of tickets mentioning Wi‑Fi/streaming/map failures per 1k trips. | -20% within 60 days of low-bandwidth improvements | Monthly |
| 6 | On-Trip CSAT (Comfort Index) | In-trip 2-question CSAT focused on comfort routines and reliability. | ≥4.4/5 in pilot cities | Monthly |
Risks & Mitigations
| # | Risk | Mitigation | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feature sprawl undermines the minimalism users value. | Ship small: cap to 3 anchor templates at launch; rigorous A/B gating; sunset low performers quickly. | Product (Experimentation) |
| 2 | Legal/compliance issues with affiliate commerce and perishables. | Affiliate-only MVP; clear disclaimers; restrict perishables to partner pickup; full legal review. | Legal + Partnerships |
| 3 | Cultural sensitivity missteps in ritual content. | Co-create with community advisors; add reporting; avoid prescriptive language; use opt-in discovery. | Content Ops + Community |
| 4 | Notification fatigue from routine reminders. | Default low frequency; quiet hours; per-trip opt-in; adaptive suppression when ignored. | Lifecycle Marketing |
| 5 | Offline features underused due to awareness gaps. | Contextual prompts at booking, T‑48h, and gate proximity; in-app education; measure drop-offs. | Growth + UX |
| 6 | Data quality on lodging location leads to irrelevant nearby cards. | User confirmation step; confidence thresholds; fallback to city-level recommendations. | Data Platform |
Timeline
30–90 days: Launch Nearby Essentials, Cultural Guides (pilot cities), and Kitchen Night Planner beta; build marketplace MVP and legal/partner rails.
90–180 days: Release Marketplace MVP and Low-Bandwidth phase 1; launch Family Profile & Routine Mode v1; run A/Bs and iterate.
180+ days: Scale cities/SKUs; expand low-bandwidth features; decide on full marketplace vs affiliate-only based on KPI lift and margin.
Assumptions
- Users prefer 2–3 <b>minimal anchors</b> versus recreating home.
- Our user base includes families and solo travelers who value reliability and cost control.
- Affiliate/retail partners can support delivery or pickup near major lodging areas.
- Users will opt into contextual reminders if they clearly reduce friction.
- Offline storage and adaptive quality can be implemented within current app architecture.
- Incremental retention and affiliate revenue will justify ongoing investment.
- How does trip length (weekend vs multi-night) change the number and type of comforts travelers bring?
- What lodging features (kitchen size, coffee maker quality, in-room streaming support) most influence whether travelers decide to pack specific comforts?
- How willing are travelers to pay for on-site provisions (e.g., hotels offering branded cultural condiments, premium coffee kits, or family media bundles) versus bringing their own?
- How do baggage limits, airline carry-on policies, and sustainability concerns (single-use packaging) alter packing choices across demographics?
- For parents: how does children’s age range (infant vs toddler vs school-age) shift the balance between digital downloads and physical snacks/toys?
- Are there regional differences (e.g., U.S. regions or international travelers) in the types of cultural food anchors people prioritize?
- What role do data costs and mobile connectivity constraints play in the decision to pre-download media versus relying on hotel/airline Wi‑Fi?