Italy, Australia and Ireland Top U.S. Travelers’ List of “Dream Vacations”
TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, announced the results of the third installment of the TripBarometer, the world’s largest accommodation and traveler survey. This bi-annual study, conducted on behalf of TripAdvisor by independent research firm Ipsos, highlights country, regional and global travel trends, according to more than 60,000 traveler and hoteliers around the world, including more than 10,000 U.S. respondents. Revealing changes in consumer spending plans and worldwide travel patterns, the TripBarometer also reports behavioral differences in planning and booking habits of travelers at different life stages.
International Trips Up 14% for U.S. Respondents; Domestic Travel Remains Steady:
· 67 percent of U.S. travelers are planning to travel internationally in 2014 (up from 53 percent in 2013)
· 97 percent are planning a domestic trip this year, compared to 95 percent last year
· Among global travelers, 77 percent plan to travel internationally, up 12 percent compared to 2013
· 90 percent of global travelers are planning to travel domestically (up from 87 percent in 2013)
Travel Budgets Grow for U.S. Respondents in 2014:
The average U.S. traveler budget is $8,272 this year, up slightly from $8,202 in 2013. This compares favorably to the average global traveler budget of $6,136, which was also up from last year ($5,955 in 2013.) The U.S. ranked #6 among the Top 10 countries expected to spend the most on trips in 2014.
Vast Majority of U.S. Travelers’ Booking Dependent on Deals:
Ninety-four percent of U.S. respondents say their choice of trip is influenced by the availability of a good deal or special offer. In fact, the majority of U.S. respondents say that “price” (97%) and “special offers” (47%) are important decision-making factors when booking their accommodation.
Twenty-two percent of U.S. respondents reported that currency fluctuations – the strength of the dollar relative to other currencies – would impact their travel plans. Of those travelers who say currency fluctuations will impact them, 58 percent will be even more diligent in their travel research to find the best price.
In contrast, hoteliers around the world are placing higher importance on online reviews rather than price to influence travelers’ booking decisions. According to the survey, 64 percent of hoteliers believe that online reviews have the biggest impact when travelers book accommodation, followed by price (50%) and recommendations from friends and family (45%).
U.S. Travelers Share “Dream Destinations”:
When asked about their dream destinations to visit, Italy, Australia and Ireland ranked as the Top 3 for U.S. travelers. Among non-U.S. respondents, the U.S. topped the list of dream destinations for travelers from Greece, Israel and Spain.
The Caribbean was the most visited region in the past year for U.S. travelers and is also the most popular destination planned for the coming year.
“Exploration is back on the agenda in 2014, with more travelers planning international trips this year,” said Marc Charron, President, TripAdvisor for Business. “TripBarometer offers up insights into the needs and behaviors of consumers in today’s rapidly changing travel marketplace, providing valuable insights for hospitality businesses looking to attract new audiences. Travelers are upping their budgets but they are looking for bargains, expecting their accommodation of choice to deliver on value. Special offers, complimentary amenities and exceptional service are all going to be important factors in swaying potential guests.”
For the full TripBarometer report, infographic and global findings, please visit www.tripadvisor.com/tripbarometer and to see more information on some of the demographic travel trends, check out the TripAdvisor blog at http://blog.tripadvisor.com/.
