TripAdvisor announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers. The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year. TripAdvisor also unveiled its TravelCast list of emerging hotspots for 2009, and atop the list is Budoni, in Sardinia, Italy. The top emerging hotspot in the U.S. is St. George, Utah. 73% of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62% one year ago. 53% will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50% last year. 47% of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40% in 2008. 33% of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28%, and 11% of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to eight percent one year ago. 34% of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30% in 2008. 32% of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, than they were the year before. Last year, 26% said they would be more environmentally conscious.
66% of U.S. respondents said they will go to the theater in the coming year, compared to 58% last year. 87% said they will visit an historic site, up from 84% in 2008. 36% will engage in an educational activity on vacation, up from 34 percent a year ago. 83% of U.S. respondents are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling. Airplanes are considered the most "germy" by 34% of respondents, followed by public transportation, and hotels. 60% of travelers surveyed said they wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling than they ordinarily do.
80% percent of respondents said they tip for room service, while only 59% tip the chambermaid. When asked who they think doesn't deserve a tip, the greatest percentage, 26% said the concierge, as well as the doorman. 26% said they avoid the bellman and the skycap, to bypass tipping them for their service. 58% of U.S. respondents said they normally tip 20 percent on restaurant bills, while 33% tip 15%.
61% of travelers said the cost of fuel is an important consideration when choosing where to go on their next vacation. 18% of respondents said they will take more car trips this year because of declining fuel prices. 28% of U.S. respondents said they check email at least daily when on a long weekend vacation, up from 22% last year. When on a vacation of a week or more, 39% said they check email at least once a day, compared to 30% last year. 24% of U.S. respondents said they think about work at least once a day while on vacation.
49% percent of those surveyed said they have had more trouble booking desired flights in the past 12 months, than they did the previous year. 17% said they had a flight canceled this year because their route or flight was permanently eliminated from their carrier's schedule. The number one traveler faux pas according to those surveyed is a child kicking the seat back, according to 30%, followed by rude seat recliners and loud talking on cell phones on flights at 19%, respectively. 80% of U.S. travelers think cell phones should be banned on flights. 69% of travelers want wireless internet access on airlines, but only 14% are willing to pay for the privilege. When asked what they can envision airlines charging for in the future, 50% predicted a window view.
71% of travelers surveyed think families with young children should sit in their own section of a plane. 13% think airlines should prohibit parents from flying with infants, except in the event of an emergency. 37% would pay extra to sit in a quiet section of an airplane, and of that group, 38% would pay as much as a 6-10 percent premium.
24% of travelers would not fly if airlines began charging by traveler weight or put a premium above a certain weight. 25% of U.S. respondents said they diet in preparation for a vacation.
37% of travelers surveyed said they will vacation at a rental property in the coming year, up from 34% last year. Only one percent of respondents have done a vacation "house swap" but 43% would, if given the right opportunity.
58% of travelers are brand loyal when it comes to booking hotels. The hotel brands to which the greatest amount of U.S. respondents are loyal are Marriott, Hilton, and the Hampton Inn.
The favorite airlines, according to U.S. respondents, are Southwest, American, and Delta. These airlines were selected as the best, primarily for their friendly and helpful staff, good on-time arrival and departure record, and best fares. U.S. Airways was the least favorite, according to the survey. The top airports, according to the survey, are Orlando International, Las Vegas, McCarran, and Amsterdam, Schipol International. Eighty percent said the most important factor in making an airport great are clean bathrooms. Chicago O'Hare was the least favorite airport, according to respondents. The friendliest travelers according to U.S. respondents, are Americans, followed by Australians, Canadians, English and Irish. The most annoying travelers according to those surveyed, are also Americans, followed by the French, Japanese, Germans, and Chinese.
- 18% of travelers said they are taking a "staycation" this coming year.
- 20% of travelers have taken items from a hotel, such as towels, flatware, or decorative pieces.
- 15% of respondents have been to a clothing-optional or adults-only resort.
- 52% of travelers said it takes them less than one day to unwind.
- 34% of travelers are uncomfortable with the new full body scanners used by some airport security.
- 51% of those surveyed said they spent more than they budgeted on travel in the past 12 months.
- 50% percent said unfavorable exchange rates will prevent them from or limit their travel to Europe in the next 12 months.
- 61% of travelers will visit a beach destination in 2009, 60% will go city sightseeing.
1. Budoni, Sardinia
2. Agia Galini, Crete
3. Petra, Jordan
4. Ardmore, Ireland
5. Peschiera del Garda, Italy
6. Protaras, Cyprus
7. Torre del Mar, Spain
8. Hanioti, Greece
9. Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
10. Goslar, Germany
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten U.S. Destinations for 2009
1. St. George, Utah
2. Englewood, Florida
3. Keauhou, Hawaii
4. Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
5. Haines, Alaska
6. Bainbridge Island, Washington
7. New Buffalo, Michigan
8. Pahoa, Hawaii
9. Gurnee, Illinois
10. Ruskin, Florida Theodore Koumelis - Thursday, October 02, 2008