Once sacrosanct, many Americans gave up their summer vacations — and other travel occasions — during the economic downturn. As the country emerges from recession, Americans are beginning to travel again, though the way they purchase airfare, hotel rooms, and packages has changed. Rather than making advance travel plans, they are searching for last-minute deals; those who do plan ahead are deal-oriented and price conscious.
Overall, 18% of Americans are planning more summer travel than in 2009, while 27% plan to travel less, according to Gallup. Perceptions about the economy continue to affect travel plans — those more optimistic about current conditions are more likely to be upping their travel plans. Similarly, their expectations for the future affect their plans: those who think it will get worse are more likely to say they will travel less (33%) than more (10%).
Travelers aged 50 and older are more likely to plan less travel than more travel. Among men aged 50-plus, 23% will travel less, versus 17% who will travel more; 27% of women aged 50-plus will travel less, versus 8% who will travel more. This group is among the hardest hit by the recession. With their retirement savings drastically reduced during the recession, they are cutting back on “luxuries” and unnecessary expenses, including travel.
Those who are traveling are more willing to increase the amount they spend on getting to their destination than the amount they spend on food, housing, entertainment, and other incidental vacation expenses. Nearly a third (32%) plan to spend more on transportation, compared to 19% who expect to spend less. Some 27% plan to spend more on other vacation costs, compared to 21% who expect to spend less.
A variety of monetary issues factor into Americans’ decisions to take vacations, with the ever vacillating costs of air travel (54%) and gasoline (53%), topping the list in 2010, according to Ypartnership (see chart, p.5). Those factors leapfrogged financial issues, including personal debt and stock portfolio value, which play less of a role in travel decisions than in 2009.
Kicking Off The Summer Vacation Season
Nearly a third of Americans planned to travel during Memorial weekend 2010, up from 24% in 2009, according to Deloitte. In addition, 17% planned to take longer trips than they did in the prior year. Two thirds (65%) will take a vacation between Memorial weekend and Labor Day.
The nearly a third of travelers (31%) who postponed a vacation in the prior year were planning to take one in 2010, notes TripAdvisor. Most travelers will spend the same amount (42%) or more (31%) on travel in 2010 as in 2009, reports TripAdvisor. Nearly half (49%) say the economy will not affect their travel plans.
Most of those who plan to travel (62%) will vacation somewhere new in 2010. A slight majority (55%) plan to visit a city, 45% will go to a beach, and 22% will visit a resort.
While they should be relaxing, some vacationers encounter annoyances. Out-of-control children (48%) top their lists, followed by people cutting in line at theme parks and attractions (10%), and erratic drivers (10%).
Some travelers let loose while away from home. They have:
• Been publicly intoxicated (17%);
• Went skinny dipping (13%);
• Visited a private beach or pool without permission (8%);
• Had a spontaneous romantic fling (8%); and
• Sunbathed nude (7%).
Air regulations regarding the transport of liquids — particularly beauty products — have some female travelers frazzled, finds Unilever. They would be willing to give up freebies including movies (55%) and drinks (32%) to be able to keep their beauty items with them at all times during travel, regardless of size. More than a third (37%) would even give up a first-class seat, and 16% would accept a middle seat between crying children for the privilege.
Nearly a quarter of workers (23%) plan to take a week off for vacation in 2010, up from 19% in 2009, according to CareerBuilder. Some 12% will take two weeks off. More than two in 10 (21%) are not planning a vacation because they cannot afford it.
About half of employers (49%) expect workers to check in while on vacation, including 37% who say it is necessary when they are working on major projects. That exceeds workers’ plans — only 25% say they will check in, regardless of what they are working on. [Travel/Tourism]
Sources: “One in Four Plan To Travel Less This Year,” Gallup, Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist, 901 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004; 202-715-3030; www.galluppoll.com. Price: Available online at no charge.
“TravelHorizons,” Ypartnership, Amanda Jackson, 423 S. Keller Rd., #100, Orlando, FL 32810; 407-838-1812; amanda.jackson@ypartnership.com; www.ypartnership.com. Price: Call for information.
“Summer Travel,” Deloitte, Cory Ziskind, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; 212-492-4408; cziskind@deloitte.com; www.deloitte.com. Price: Call for information.
“Annual Travel Survey,” TripAdvisor, Brooke Ferencsik, 141 Needham St., Newton, MA 02464; 6174-670-6575; bferencsik@tripadvisor.com; www.tripadvisor.com.
“Annual Vacation Survey,” CareerBuilder, Richard Castellini, VP Consumer Marketing, 8420 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., #1000, Chicago, IL 60631; richard.castellini@careerbuilder.com; www.careerbuilder.com. Price: Available online at no charge.
“Degree Women Body Mists Survey,” Unilever, Malini Patel, Brand Manager, 205 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601; 312-661-2456; www.unilever.com. Price: Avialable online at no charge.
© Copyright 2011, EPM Communications, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of publisher.