Americans & 2009 Vacation Travel Plans
Travelers are tightening their purse strings when it comes to vacation travel this year. Thirty-percent of all Americans plan to take only one vacation this year. However, travelers ages 65 and older are more likely than any other age group to be taking more than one vacation.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, I'm Planning to Take More Than One Vacation
Ages 18 to 29: 43%
Ages 30 to 49: 54%
Ages 50 to 64: 47%
Ages 65+: 56%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Their Vacation Budget
As travelers lock in their budget for vacation travel this year, almost one-third plan to keep vacation costs under a thousand dollars. Thirty percent of all Americans plan to spend $1,000 or less in total for vacations this year. And this is especially true for almost half of all travelers ages 18 to 29.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Will Only Be Spending $1,000 or Less
Ages 18 to 29: 46%
Ages 30 to 49: 24%
Ages 50 to 64: 29%
Ages 65+: 25%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & the Free Breakfast Perk
There's no such thing as a free lunch, but breakfast is another thing! Sixty-one percentof Americans say that a hotel's free breakfast offer influences whether or not they stay with them. And with more than half of all travelers -- regardless of age -- thinking 'free breakfast', hotels can't afford not to.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, A Free Breakfast Closes the Deal
Ages 18 to 29: 53%
Ages 30 to 49: 60%
Ages 50 to 64: 65%
Ages 65+: 66%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Requesting Discounts
If you don't ask, you'd never know how much additional savings you can get by requesting a discount. Sixty-one percent of Americans plan to ask travel providers if they offer discounts, such as student or AARP or AAA membership. And even more so with travelers ages 50+.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Will Be Asking for Discounts
Ages 18 to 29: 47%
Ages 30 to 49: 56%
Ages 50 to 64: 73%
Ages 65+: 72%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Off-Season Travel Savings
Travelers want to save money, but not at the risk of visiting their favorite destination(s) off-season. Forty-five percent of Americans have no interest to travel to vacation destinations during off-season/ non-peak tourist periods just to save on costs. And even more so for young and senior travelers.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Not Interested in Non-Peak Travel Savings
Ages 18 to 29: 53%
Ages 30 to 49: 40%
Ages 50 to 64: 42%
Ages 65+: 52%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Web Site Price Comparison
How do you know when you're getting the best price? When compared to last year, Americans -- roughly 54 percent-- are more likely to compare prices across multiple travel Web sites to find the best price available. And with travelers ages 50 to 64, it's even greater at 60 percent.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Plan to Compare Web Site Prices
Ages 18 to 29: 50%
Ages 30 to 49: 56%
Ages 50 to 64: 60%
Ages 65+: 44%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Bidding For the Right Price
Even when travelers know the maximum they have to spend, most are reluctant to lock in travel prices by bidding. Fifty-seven percent of Americans have no interest to use 'name your own price Web sites', such as Priceline.com or Hotwire.com, to bid on airfare, rental cars, or hotels to get the best price.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Will Not Bid to Get the Best Price
Ages 18 to 29: 58%
Ages 30 to 49: 52%
Ages 50 to 64: 57%
Ages 65+: 68%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Last-Minute Travel Deals
Think last-minute deals ... think big savings? Even if Americans could be flexible and jump on last-minute deals, 67 percent prefer to plan their trip weeks to months in advance rather than cash in on last-minute deal savings. And travelers 65+ definitely want to plan!
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Not Interested in Last-Minute Deals
Ages 18 to 29: 66%
Ages 30 to 49: 65%
Ages 50 to 64: 66%
Ages 65+: 75%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Vacation Package Savings
Most travelers are on the fence on whether or not there are real savings when it comes to vacation packages. Thirty-six percent of Americans think air/hotel packages save money when compared to booking air travel and hotel rooms separately, with 36 percent saying no and 28 percent not really sure.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Air/Hotel Packages Do Save Money
Ages 18 to 29: 31%
Ages 30 to 49: 37%
Ages 50 to 64: 40%
Ages 65+: 32%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Saving Money on Meals
Pack the luggage (and the ice chest) before heading out on vacation. Thirty-eight percent of Americans plan to save on meal costs by keeping or preparing meals in the hotel room. And the older the traveler is, the more likely he/she is eating out versus in the hotel room.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Plan to Keep/Prepare Meals in the Room
Ages 18 to 29: 42%
Ages 30 to 49: 42%
Ages 50 to 64: 36%
Ages 65+: 23%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Accommodations Beyond the Hotel
Vacation rentals are an easy way to share lodging costs with friends and family, but most travelers aren't considering this hotel alternative. Sixty-seven percent of Americans have no interest in non-traditional accommodations, such as vacation rental or home swapping, to save on hotel costs.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Not Considering Options Other Than Hotels
Ages 18 to 29: 58%
Ages 30 to 49: 65%
Ages 50 to 64: 67%
Ages 65+: 81%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Traveler Reward Points
Travelers have been saving up their reward points, but have no plans to redeem them any time soon. Sixty-one percent of Americans have no interest in cashing in their traveler reward points, such as frequent flier miles or frequent hotel stays, to reduce their total vacation costs.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Will Not Be Cashing In Travel Rewards
Ages 18 to 29: 70%
Ages 30 to 49: 57%
Ages 50 to 64: 58%
Ages 65+: 65%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Vacation Budget Comparison
As the economic climate becomes more challenging, travelers are being smart with each and every penny they spend. Fifty-two percent of Americans feel that they have a smaller budget for vacation(s) this year compared to last year, and those who are 65+ aren't as strapped with money.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Have Smaller Vacation Budget This Year
Ages 18 to 29: 53%
Ages 30 to 49: 51%
Ages 50 to 64: 56%
Ages 65+: 47%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Local Tourist Attractions
The perfect vacation might be closer than you think as travelers get resourceful with travel options. Forty-nine percent of Americans are considering a vacation planned around local tourist attractions, such as museums, aquariums or amusement parks, to save on travel costs.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Planning to Visit Local Tourist Attractions
Ages 18 to 29: 55%
Ages 30 to 49: 54%
Ages 50 to 64: 48%
Ages 65+: 31%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Credit Card vs. Cash
It might be easier to put travel expenses on a credit card, but more than a third of travelers are making cash king. Thirty-eight percent plan to use cash for most of their travel purchases, such as airfare, hotel rooms, or meals. And for travelers 49 and under, almost half plan to use cash.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Plan to Settle Up on Travel Costs With Cash
Ages 18 to 29: 46%
Ages 30 to 49: 48%
Ages 50 to 64: 29%
Ages 65+: 20%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Domestic Travel
Most travelers will be primarily spending their vacation(s) within the United States. Sixty-seven percent of Americans plan to vacation travel only within the United States given the cost of traveling abroad. And this is a popular sentiment with travelers regardless of age.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Vacationing in the United States Only
Ages 18 to 29: 68%
Ages 30 to 49: 64%
Ages 50 to 64: 67%
Ages 65+: 66%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Flying Direct
Air travelers don't mind being inconvenienced if they know they can save money. Fifty-eight percent of Americans would consider booking a connecting flight instead of a direct flight to their vacation destination to save money. And three-fourths of those ages 29 and under prefer it!
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Connecting Flight to Save on Costs
Ages 18 to 29: 76%
Ages 30 to 49: 56%
Ages 50 to 64: 50%
Ages 65+: 50%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Car Rental Savings
With gas prices inching up, some travelers are rethinking 'bigger is better' when it comes to rental cars. Forty-three percent of Americans will opt for the smallest rental car just to save money. Saving on rental costs and fuel charges is especially popular with travelers younger than 29.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Will Opt for Smaller Car Rental to Save
Ages 18 to 29: 54%
Ages 30 to 49: 41%
Ages 50 to 64: 44%
Ages 65+: 35%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Flexible Travel Dates
Would you be willing to be flexible with your travel dates if you knew you could save money? If so, you aren't alone since most Americans -- 61 percent -- are willing to be flexible with their vacation travel dates to get the best possible price available. This is a shared attitude across travelers at any age.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
Yes, Flexible With Travel Dates to Save Money
Ages 18 to 29: 61%
Ages 30 to 49: 59%
Ages 50 to 64: 64%
Ages 65+: 63%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
Americans & Shorter Vacations
Young travelers want to savor the time they are away on vacation, for as long as possible. They aren't willing to shorten their trip, even for significant cost savings. Fifty-one percent of Americans won't consider shorter vacation stays, such as long weekends, just to save on vacation costs.
U.S. Vacation Trends by Age Group
No, Not Planning Shorter Vacation Stays
Ages 18 to 29: 45%
Ages 30 to 49: 46%
Ages 50 to 64: 56%
Ages 65+: 63%
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Survey 2,093 adults 4/13/09 to 4/15/09. Sampling of Zogby International's online panel, representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 2.2 percentage points.
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2009 Vacation Trends -- Survey Highlights
-- Vacation Trends Across the U.S.
-- Vacation Trends in the Northeast.
-- Vacation Trends in the South
-- Vacation Trends in the Midwest
-- Vacation Trends in the West
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2009 Vacation Trends
Midwest
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2009 Vacation Trends
South
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Traveling on a Budget
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Northeast
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Traveling on a Budget
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