Expedia.com, the world’s leading online travel agency, released the results of a study of American attitudes in today’s economy as they relate to domestic travel, international travel, hotel selection criteria and social media. The American Traveler survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Expedia fromFebruary 16-20, 2012 among 2,262 adults ages 18 and older.

Among other findings, it revealed that a full 41% of Americans – and nearly 1 in 2 men (49%) – have driven across the United States at one point. Just under one in four Americans (23%), and one in three students (31%) are “at least somewhat likely” to travel internationally in the next year.

Forty percent of Americans report the economic downturn over the past few years did not impact their personal/leisure travel. They “travel as usual,” particularly those between 35 and 44 years of age (46%). A percentage of young men (13%) and women (14%) aged 18 -34 are taking more trips these days, perhaps because a down economy prompts travel destinations to sweeten deals.

“This study, combined with our own data, tells us a lot about how Americans are traveling in today’s economy.  Our data shows that even though Americans are taking fewer flights, they are booking more hotel nights.  We believe that Americans are proving to be resilient in a down economy, by driving instead of flying and taking more frequent, shorter trips,” said Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com.

“The study also showed how important friends and family were to the travel experience. Friends and family were the most important resource when choosing a hotel. Social networks are enabling new reach when seeking advice on travel, and we are thrilled to be able to help share that knowledge.”

Eighty-one percent of Americans have visited at least one of twelve major U.S. landmarks in their travels. Approximately one third of people have visited the National Mall in Washington DC, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Grand Canyon, while approximately one in four have visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Route 66, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Alamo.

Expedia’s American Traveler study also found that:

Social media keeps travelers connected.

• 75% of those who travel use social media.
• 51% of those users do so to stay connected while on a trip regularly or periodically.
• 18 – 44 year olds are more likely than those aged 45 or older to use social media sites to connect with others during trip.

For some American families, social media is connection enough.

• 12% of Americans say they are less likely to visit their family in person thanks to social media, while 25% say they are more likely to visit family in person.
• Among those who use Feedback to connect with family members, younger adults aged 18 – 34 (22%) and those living in the West (22%) are significantly more likely to indicate that they are less likely to visit family.

78% of Americans rely on reviews to provide direction when selecting a hotel.

• The primary review source is friends and family (51%).
• A slightly higher percentage cited friends (44%) than cited family (40%).
• The hotel’s own web site is the second-most important source of reviews (47%).

Men are more likely to have ever driven cross-country than women (49% compared to 34%).

• Both genders still dream of the open road: 25% of men and 33% of women have “not done so but always wanted to” drive across the country.
• Westerners are more adventurous, with 57% having made the cross-country vehicle journey, significantly higher than those in the Northeast (31%).

13% report having purchased travel via a “flash sale”.

• Young adults aged 18 -34 (24%) and those living in the West (21%) were most likely than their counterparts to have done so.

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American Airlines has applauded the Obama Administration’s initiatives to increase travel and tourism to the United States and within our nation’s borders.

“The initiatives set forth and outlined today by the Obama Administration will definitely benefit all who work in the nation’s travel and tourism industry, which can only add jobs and strengthen the economy,” said Tom Horton, American’s Chairman and CEO. “President Obama is to be commended for his leadership in this effort.

“We have long advocated for enhancements to the distribution of non-immigrant visas in such important emerging markets as Brazil and China and have told the Administration that improving the process will not only allow more tourists to visit but create travel and tourism jobs in the United States. Increasing non-immigrant visa capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent and ensuring that 80 percent of those applicants interviewed receive their visas within three weeks is a laudable goal,” said Horton.

“Additionally, the new pilot program that was announced to simplify and expedite the non-immigrant visa process for certain applicants and the opportunity for low-risk applicants to have visa interviews waived is exciting news.

“We also applaud the Administration for its initiative to expand the Visa Waiver Program to include more participants and assist more travelers through an expansion of trusted traveler programs such as the Global Entry program, which truly enhances the customer experience when passengers are able to expedite customs and immigration processing,” Horton added.

“Creating a task force to recommend ways to promote domestic and international travel opportunities for U.S. citizens and promoting visits to our nation’s parks, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites also will have a positive effect on the transportation industry,” said Horton.

American operates a daily flight to Beijing and Shanghai from its cornerstone hub in Chicago and a daily flight to Shanghai from Los Angeles. American also operates flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and New York JFK each day to Brazil. American serves Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Salvador Bahia,Recife and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

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Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is projecting a slight increase of about one percent in passengers for the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday travel period over last year. DFW anticipates that approximately 1.83 million passengers will travel through the Airport for the 13-day holiday travel period, which runs from November 17 through 29.

The busiest air travel days for the Thanksgiving travel period are the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving (November 27, 28 and 29), and the Friday before the holiday (November 18). Each of those days are projected to show more than 165,000 travelers flow through the Airport.

“At DFW we have a lot to be thankful for, in that we have just completed perhaps our best year ever for adding new air service,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO for DFW International Airport. “With nine new international destinations and the addition of service from QANTAS Airways, Virgin America and Spirit Airlines in the past year, DFW is continuing to grow and provide new opportunities for travel to the citizens ofDallas/Fort Worth.”

Passengers going to the Airport during the Thanksgiving Day travel period will be able to take advantage of a host of new initiatives and technologies available this year, as part of DFW’s continuing effort to enhance the customer experience. The new amenities include:

• Microsoft Tag technology integrated into holiday signage, enabling passengers who scan a barcode with a smartphone camera to receive a special offer from nearby concessionaires
• DFW’s Check-In Program offerings concessions discounts for passengers who “check in” via Foursquare or Facebook applications on their mobile devices
• Over 1,000 new parking spaces available in the Express North parking facility
• Eleven new interactive touch screens in Terminal D, to guide passengers to terminal concessions and service locations
• DFW Airport’s newly updated mobile web site, www.dfwairport.com/m, featuring real-time parking availability information
• Remote pre-pay system at Remote North and South Parking to allow consumers to pre-pay their parking bill and bypass the exit lines
• Paradise 4 Paws, a new full-service “premier resort” for cats and dogs, where travelers can leave and retrieve their pets on a 24×7 basis

Once again, DFW is recommending that passengers arrive at least 90 minutes prior to their flight for domestic travel, and two hours prior to international flights to allow plenty of time for arriving at the Airport, parking, check-in, security screening and finding your way to your gate.

egd / Shutterstock

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