Americans More Likely to Travel the Country than the World

The results of the American Traveller survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which researched how Americans relate to social media, hotel selection criteria, international travel and domestic travel in the current economic climate, were recently released by Expedia.com.  The online study was conducted within the United States amongst 2,262 adults above 18 years old, between 16 and 20 February 2012.  Results indicated that close to 1 out of 2 American men (49%) polled have at some stage driven across the country, while 1 out of 3 students (31%) and almost 1 out of 4 Americans stated that international travel was possibly on the cards within the following year.

The economic recession also didn’t have any impact on the leisure or personal travel for 40% of the survey’s respondents, with 46% of the 35 – 44 year olds claiming they continued to travel as usual.  The economic recession however stimulated a number of destinations to offer special deals, which saw 14% of young women and 13% of young men between the ages of 18 and 34 travelling more frequently.

The Vice President and General Manager of Expedia.com, Joe Megibow said that the study, combined with their own data told them a lot about how Americans were travelling within today’s economy.  And that the data indicated that even though Americans were taking fewer flights, they were booking more hotel nights, proving that Americans are resilient during the unstable economic times by choosing to drive instead of flying, as well as taking shorter and more frequent trips.

He added that the study also showed how important friends and family were to the travel experience and that loved ones and best friends were the most important resource when choosing a hotel.  In conclusion he said, “Social networks are enabling new reach when seeking advice on travel, and we are thrilled to be able to help share that knowledge.”

Other survey results included that during their travels at least one of twelve major landmarks in the US were visited by 81% of Americans, while close to one third of people visited the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, the National Mall in Washington DC and the Golden Gate Bridge and approximately one out of four people have visited Route 66, Independence Hall, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Alamo and the Liberty Bell at some time.

Other Expedia American Traveller research results included:

• Social media is enough connection for some American families, with 12% stating they were less likely to visit family as a result, while 25% claimed they were more likely to visit family in person due to social media.

• 75% of travellers keep connected via social media and 51% stay connected while on a trip either at regular intervals or intermittently.

• More men (49%) are prone to have driven across the country than women (34%).

• 13% report having purchased travel via “flash sales.”

• Reviews are relied on by 78% of Americans to help them choose accommodation.

 by, Jennifer Reade