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Today,
Florida is considered to be one of the most popular holiday destinations in US by travelers all over the world. And when the residents of Florida were asked where they would love to go for their vacation, they replied that they too would love to enjoy vacations right here in Florida!
The top three travel destinations in US, according to Tampa Bay area residents are Florida,
Hawaii and
California. And when asked where they intend to travel in
Europe next year, their answers were
Italy, Great Britain and
Spain. According to surveys by
TripAdvisor, these people preferred taking about three vacations in a year. The survey also brought details about some travel trends for the year 2008.
About 80% of the respondents to the survey are afraid of contracting germs, viruses and bacteria while traveling. 28% of the people polled say that airplanes have the most germs while public transportation followed next, and then by restaurants, hotels and airports. It was the respondents outside the US who were worried of contracting germs at restaurant while Americans are more wary about airplanes.
More than half of the travelers surveyed said that they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often when traveling. So to maintain the germaphobia trend, 27% of the Americans brought along their own disinfectant and cleaning supplies, pillows, linens, towels, shower supplies and shower shoes when going on a trip. This is an increase of 22% from 2005 statistics.
According to 45% travelers, the worst experience in a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets while to 17%, the worst experience was the presence of vermin in the hotel. To many travelers, a
clean restroom is one of the top criterion for making an airport great. 26% of the respondents to the survey said that they are more environmentally conscious of their travel decisions for the next year.
22% of them prefer going biking for a vacation this year, compared to last year’s 13%. And 47% of the travelers prefer going
hiking this year, which is an increase from last year’s 43% percent of travelers. 78% of the surveyed travelers believe that mobile phones should not be allowed on flight while 58% claim that they cannot and don’t feel it appropriate to tell a fellow passenger to turn off video content that is inappropriate.
About 44% of people outside US said that favorable exchange rates will make them interested in visiting US more frequently in the next year. However 41% of Americans think that unfavorable exchange rates prevent them from going to or limit their travel to Europe in the next year.
Basically all Americans have four or more weeks of holiday in a year where 47% of them think that they actually ‘need’ six weeks or more of vacation time. However not all of them spend all the vacation time they have now. In fact, last year only 64% of Americans had spent their vacation time.
When asked why Americans don’t spend all their vacation time, 28% of them stated that they couldn’t afford to be away from work. About 48% of Americans on weekend trips check their work voicemail or email while about 78% of them check when they are gone on trips of a week or more.
It is expected that 32% of travelers and 34% of Americans plan to do some educational activity while vacationing this year like cooking or art class. This is an increase of 25% to 28% of Americans last year. There are some factors that Americans consider when planning their vacation. About 60% of them worry about terrorism while 45% think of the possible natural disasters that may take place while vacationing like earthquake, tsunami and hurricane.
To 36% Americans, fuel costs influence their decision for the next vacation while 5% consider uncertain mortgage rates affect their travel plans. Then there are 6% who consider the volatile stock market to affect their travel decisions. To 53% of travelers, they need less than a day to unwind while vacationing while 35% require 1 to 2 days for relaxing.
24% of the travelers say they like dressing provocatively while holidaying while 19% of them use the rule that says that whatever happens in the holiday destination remains in the destination, with their travel partners. Only 12% of the respondents replied that they had gone to a clothing optional or adults only resort for vacations.
17% of travelers intend to try a new airline this year, where Virgin America is the most popular choice of a new airlines. 2008 being a Presidential election year, TripAdvisor found out where the Republicans and Democrats preferred going for their next vacation. The Republicans preferred New York City while the Democrats, Las Vegas.
Worldwide travelers preferred American Airlines, with British Airways and
Southwest tied up for the second favorite airline. However travelers outsider US considered British Airways to be their first choice. These airlines were chosen because of friendly and helpful staff, comfortable seats and punctual arrival and departure records. The least favored airlines was US Airways.
Schipol International Airport of Amsterdam is the favorite airport of most travelers while Las Vegas McCarran and Orlando International both come in second place. 81% of vacationers say that easy navigation to reach the gate makes an airport great. Travelers say that the least favorite airport is said to be London Heathrow and Chicago O’Hare.
It has been found out that travelers will be going on about 3 vacations in the next year while beaches tend to get hotter. 64% of travelers plan a sandy destination for this year’s vacation, compared to last year’s 59%. So far Florida is the most popular destination for worldwide travelers visiting America next year while 34% of Americans are contemplating visiting Europe the next year.
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