TripAdvisor travelers offer glimpse into 2009 trends

October 02, 2008 | Online Travel

The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009.

TripAdvisor announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers. The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year.

Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008. Thirty-three percent of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28 percent, and 11 percent of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to eight percent one year ago.

Easy Being Green
Thirty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30 percent in 2008. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, than they were the year before. Last year, 26 percent said they would be more environmentally conscious.

The Culture Club
Sixty-six percent of U.S. respondents said they will go to the theater in the coming year, compared to 58 percent last year. Eighty-seven percent said they will visit an historic site, up from 84 percent in 2008. Thirty-six percent will engage in an educational activity on vacation, up from 34 percent a year ago.

Germs on the Brain
Eighty-three percent of U.S. respondents are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling. Airplanes are considered the most “germy” by 34 percent of respondents, followed by public transportation, and hotels. Sixty percent of travelers surveyed said they wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling than they ordinarily do.

Tipping on Trips
Eighty percent of respondents said they tip for room service, while only 59 percent tip the chambermaid. When asked who they think doesn’t deserve a tip, the greatest percentage, 26 percent, said the concierge, as well as the doorman. Twenty-six percent said they avoid the bellman and the skycap, to bypass tipping them for their service. Fifty-eight percent of U.S. respondents said they normally tip 20 percent on restaurant bills, while 33 percent tip 15 percent.

Fuel a Factor
Sixty-one percent of travelers said the cost of fuel is an important consideration when choosing where to go on their next vacation. Eighteen percent of respondents said they will take more car trips this year because of declining fuel prices.

We’re More Connected (To Email and Work)
Twenty-eight percent of U.S. respondents said they check email at least daily when on a long weekend vacation, up from 22 percent last year. When on a vacation of a week or more, 39 percent said they check email at least once a day, compared to 30 percent last year. Twenty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they think about work at least once a day while on vacation.

Flight Frustrations
Forty-nine percent of those surveyed said they have had more trouble booking desired flights in the past 12 months, than they did the previous year. Seventeen percent said they had a flight canceled this year because their route or flight was permanently eliminated from their carrier’s schedule. The number one traveler faux pas according to those surveyed is a child kicking the seat back, according to 30 percent, followed by rude seat recliners and loud talking on cell phones on flights at 19 percent, respectively.

Flying with Cell Phones, Wi-fi, and a View
Eighty percent of U.S. travelers think cell phones should be banned on flights. Sixty-nine percent of travelers want wireless internet access on airlines, but only 14 percent are willing to pay for the privilege. When asked what they can envision airlines charging for in the future, 50 percent predicted a window view.

No Babies on Board
Seventy-one percent of travelers surveyed think families with young children should sit in their own section of a plane. Thirteen percent think airlines should prohibit parents from flying with infants, except in the event of an emergency. Thirty-seven percent would pay extra to sit in a quiet section of an airplane, and of that group, 38 percent would pay as much as a 6-10 percent premium.

Weight Watchers
Twenty-four percent of travelers would not fly if airlines began charging by traveler weight or put a premium above a certain weight. Twenty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they diet in preparation for a vacation.

Vacation Rentals and House Swaps
Thirty-seven percent of travelers surveyed said they will vacation at a rental property in the coming year, up from 34 percent last year. Only one percent of respondents have done a vacation “house swap” but 43 percent would, if given the right opportunity.

Hotel Allegiance
Fifty-eight percent of travelers are brand loyal when it comes to booking hotels. The hotel brands to which the greatest amount of U.S. respondents are loyal are Marriott, Hilton, and the Hampton Inn.

Golden Wings: Top Airlines
The favorite airlines, according to U.S. respondents, are Southwest, American, and Delta. These airlines were selected as the best, primarily for their friendly and helpful staff, good on-time arrival and departure record, and best fares. U.S. Airways was the least favorite, according to the survey.

Golden Gates: Top Airports
The top airports, according to the survey, are Orlando International, Las Vegas, McCarran, and Amsterdam, Schipol International. Eighty percent said the most important factor in making an airport great are clean bathrooms. Chicago O’Hare was the least favorite airport, according to respondents.

Golden Passports: Top Travelers
The friendliest travelers according to U.S. respondents, are Americans, followed by Australians, Canadians, English and Irish. The most annoying travelers according to those surveyed, are also Americans, followed by the French, Japanese, Germans, and Chinese.

Additional Travel Tidbits
- Eighteen percent of travelers said they are taking a “staycation” this coming year.
- Twenty percent of travelers have taken items from a hotel, such as towels, flatware, or decorative pieces.
- Fifteen percent of respondents have been to a clothing-optional or adults-only resort.
- Fifty-two percent of travelers said it takes them less than one day to unwind.
- Thirty-four percent of travelers are uncomfortable with the new full body scanners used by some airport security.
- Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said they spent more than they budgeted on travel in the past 12 months.
- Fifty percent said unfavorable exchange rates will prevent them from or limit their travel to Europe in the next 12 months.
- Sixty-one percent of travelers will visit a beach destination in 2009, 60 percent will go city sightseeing.

Budoni, in Sardinia, Italy is TravelCast’s Next Hot Spot in 2009

TripAdvisor TravelCast is a barometer of what’s hot in travel destinations. TripAdvisor engineers have developed a proprietary algorithm that looks at several criteria including changes in search activity and postings throughout the world’s largest travel community. The TravelCast then predicts the rising stars in travel. The top three emerging world hotspots for travel are Budoni, Sardinia, Agia Galini, Crete and Petra, Jordan. The complete world and U.S. top ten lists are provided below.

TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten World Destinations for 2009
1. Budoni, Sardinia
2. Agia Galini, Crete
3. Petra, Jordan
4. Ardmore, Ireland
5. Peschiera del Garda, Italy
6. Protaras, Cyprus
7. Torre del Mar, Spain
8. Hanioti, Greece
9. Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
10. Goslar, Germany

TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten U.S. Destinations for 2009
1. St. George, Utah
2. Englewood, Florida
3. Keauhou, Hawaii
4. Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
5. Haines, Alaska
6. Bainbridge Island, Washington
7. New Buffalo, Michigan
8. Pahoa, Hawaii
9. Gurnee, Illinois
10. Ruskin, Florida

“An emerging trend is travelers getting greener. They plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “For those interested in going farther afield, TravelCast’s top emerging world destination is Budoni, Sardinia, a breathtaking beach destination in Italy.”