As summer approaches, travel agents report that travelers are spending more on summer vacations…
As summer approaches, travel agents report that travelers are spending more on summer vacations than they did during the winter season. Travelers also are returning to popular domestic destinations such as Orlando, Las Vegas and New York City, according to the American Society of Travel Agents` (ASTA)/Fodor`s Summer Hot Spots Survey.
Despite the trying economic times many Americans are facing, bookings and average spending are up for the summer season. This is an extremely positive and encouraging sign that supports the notion that travel is an important part of life for many Americans, said ASTA President and CEO Richard M. Copland, CTC.
We`ve seen nothing but positive signs that travel is way up for this summer, commented Tim Jarrell,
publisher, Fodor`s Travel Guides. There has been a pent up demand for travel over the past few years and this summer people are heading out in numbers that we haven`t seen since the summer of 2001.
Travel spending
Travel bookings have rebounded quite well over the past year. Although 8.1 percent of responding agents report that spending is less, a whopping 63.9 percent report the average spending is higher. Only six months ago, in the Winter 2003-04 Hot Spots study, only 34.2 percent of agents reported that average travel spending was up compared to the year before, while 32 percent reported a decrease in travel spending.
Travel spending compared to 2003 Valid percent
- More 63.9
- Less 8.1
- About the same 28.0
Popular Domestic City Destinations
The top five summer destinations for 2003 have stayed on top for the 2004 summer travel season, according to agents surveyed.
Orlando remained the most popular summer destination booked by travel agents for the third year in a row, with 22.5 percent of responses. Las Vegas once again took the second spot, with 19.6 percent of the votes, and New York City stayed in the top three, posting a 9.1 percent rating. Respondents voting for Hawaii (4%) and Honolulu (4. %) make up a combined total of 8.5 percent.
Destinations % of Total
- Orlando 22.5
- Las Vegas 19.6
- New York 9.1
- San Francisco 5.0
- Honolulu 4.5
When looking at the state level, Florida tops the list for the 2004 summer season, accounting for 29.2 percent of all
responses with destinations such as Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa. Next comes Nevada, in large part due to the popularity of Las Vegas, with 19.8 percent of all responses. Other popular states are Hawaii (11.1%) and California (11.5%).
Popular International City Destinations
Respondents were asked to name which international cities they are booking for the 2004 summer travel season. London was well ahead of the pack with 19.5 percent of the vote, followed by Rome (14.3%), Cancun (10.9%) and Paris (8.9%). These cities have been in the top four for the past three years, however, Cancun, Paris and Rome have changed positions every year.
Western Europe showed its popularity with destinations like Frankfurt and Dublin joining London, Paris and Rome in the top ten. Cities in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Caribbean are once again popular summer vacation getaways.
Punta Cana moved up a spot from the sixth place with 2.5 percent of the votes. Several of the more popular Mexican destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel and San Juan dropped out of the top 15.
Destination % of Total
- London 19.5
- Rome 14.3
- Cancun 10.9
- Paris 8.9
- Punta Cana 2.5
Considering regions and countries, the United Kingdom is the most popular destination for travel abroad during the summer months, with 19.5 percent of all responses. Capturing 18.7 percent, Mexico held its ground at number two. Italy, with 16.8 percent, jumped ahead of the Caribbean and France, both of which had 9.4 percent. The top five countries this year made up 75 percent of the total responses.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
