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Americans Travel at Home, Not Abroad
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During the economic downturn of the past few years, Americans traveled as much as usual. However, they were more likely to stay in country than travel abroad.
If you’ve decided that a trip around the U.S. — perhaps visiting the country’s most visited monuments? — sounds like the vacation for you, then you’re not alone right now. The American Traveler survey by online travel agency Expedia.com found that Americans are more likely to travel in country than abroad.
The survey showed that not only has 41% of Americans driven across the U.S. at one point, but if they haven’t, they want to. A quarter of men and a third of women reported that they have “not done so but always wanted to” drive across the country.
Only 23% are expecting to travel internationally in 2012. This isn’t because travel is down, though. The report shows that Americans traveled as much as usual during the last few years. And young men and women between the ages of 18 and 34 are actually traveling more these days.
“Our data shows that even though Americans are taking fewer flights, they are booking more hotel nights," said Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. “We believe that Americans are proving to be resilient in a down economy, by driving instead of flying and taking more frequent, shorter trips.”
A whopping 81% of Americans have visited at leat one of twelve major U.S. landmarks in their travels. One-third have visited the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; the Statue of Liberty; the Golden Gate Bridge; and the Grand Canyon. Roughly a quarter have visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis; Route 66; the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia; and the Alamo.
Social media is also playing a role in travel for Americans, though it is a little split. While 25% said they are more likely to visit family in person because of social media, 12% admitted they were less likely.
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