TripAdvisor has revealed the results of its annual travel
trends survey of more than 2,500 travellers from around the world. Top
trends identified in the survey are concerns about germs, the growth of
green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes. TripAdvisor also
unveiled its TravelCast list of emerging hotspots for 2008 with Jerba,
Tunisia topping the list.
  Clean Conscious

  Eighty percent of respondents are concerned about germs, bacteria and
viruses when traveling. Airplanes are the most germy, according to 28
percent of those polled. Public transportation was next, followed by
restaurants, hotels, and airports. Respondents outside the U.S. were
particularly worried about the risk of germs at restaurants, while
Americans are far more wary of airplanes.
  Fifty-five percent of travelers said they tend to wash and disinfect
their hands more often while traveling. In keeping with the germaphobia
trend, 27 percent of Americans either bring their own disinfectant and
cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a
trip. This number has climbed from 22 percent, when TripAdvisor first
spotted the germaphobia trend in 2005. Forty-five percent of travelers said
their worst experience at a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets, and
17 percent said their worst experience was the presence of vermin.
Travelers also cited clean restrooms as a top criterion for what makes an
airport great.
  Growing Greener

  Twenty-six percent of respondents said they will be more
environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in the coming year. The
green trend may be evident in their choice of transportation—22 percent
said they’ll go biking while on vacation this year, compared to 13 percent,
last year. Forty-seven percent of travelers plan to go hiking this year, up
from 43 percent, last year.
  Tech Turn-off

  Seventy-eight percent of travelers believe that mobile phones should
not be allowed on flights. When asked if they think they have a right to
tell an airline passenger sitting next to them to turn off video content
they deem inappropriate, 58 percent said “no.”
  Weak Dollar Woos Outsiders

  Fifty-four percent of respondents from outside the U.S. said that
favorable exchange rates will inspire them to travel to the U.S. more in
the next 12 months. On the contrary, 41 percent of Americans said the
unfavorable exchange rates will either prevent them from going, or limit
their travel to Europe in the coming year.
  Waste Not, Want Not?

  Fifty-four percent of Americans have four or more weeks of vacation
time each year, and 47 percent believe they “need” six weeks of vacation or
more. But, they are not even spending all the time they currently have.
Only 64 percent of Americans used all of their vacation time in the past
year. Asked why they won’t take all of their vacation time, 28 percent of
U.S. respondents said they can’t afford to be away from work. Forty-eight
percent of Americans check their work voicemail or email on a long weekend,
which jumps to 78 percent when taking a trip of a week or more.
  Head of the Class

  Thirty-two percent of travelers (and 34 percent of Americans) are
planning to engage in educational activity on vacation this year, such as a
cooking or art class, up from 25 percent (and 28 percent of Americans),
last year.
  Outside Influences

  Sixty percent of respondents from the U.S. said that the possibility of
terrorism is still a consideration when planning where to go on their next
vacation. Forty-five percent of Americans said the possibility of natural
disasters (such as a hurricane, tsunami or earthquake) is on their mind,
and 36 percent said the cost of fuel influences where to go on their next
vacation, despite the recent decline in gas prices. Five percent said
uncertainty with mortgage rates is affecting the way they plan travel in
the next year, and six percent said the volatile stock market is affecting
their travel decisions.
  Loosening Up

  Fifty-three percent of travelers said it takes them less than a day to
unwind when on vacation, while 35 percent take 1-2 days to relax.
Twenty-four percent of travelers said they are likely to dress more
provocatively while on vacation and 19 percent of travelers have had to
impose the “whatever happens in X destination, stays in X destination” rule
with their travel partners. Twelve percent of respondents have been to a
clothing-optional or adults-only resort.
  New Airlines Are Hot

  Seventeen percent of travelers are planning to try a new airline this
year. Virgin America is the most popular choice of new airlines among
respondents.

  Golden Wings: Top Airlines

  American Airlines was the favorite airline among worldwide respondents,
and British Airways and Southwest tied for second favorite airline. British
Airways was selected as the top airline by travelers outside the U.S.
Travelers selected these airlines as their favorite primarily because of
their friendly and helpful staff, good on-time arrival and departure
records, and comfortable seats. U.S. Airways was the least favorite
airline, according to respondents.
  Golden Gates: Top Airports

  The favorite airport in the world, according to travelers, is Schipol
International Airport in Amsterdam. Las Vegas McCarran and Orlando
International tied as second favorite. Eighty-one percent of travelers said
the primary factor that makes an airport great is it’s easy to navigate and
get to your gate. London Heathrow and Chicago O’Hare tied as the least
favorite airport in the world, according to travelers.

  Additional Travel Tidbits

  Travelers will average about three vacations in the coming year.
Beaches continue to get hotter, as 64 percent plan to vacation to a sandy
destination this year, compared to 59 percent last year. Florida is the
most popular U.S. state that worldwide travelers intend to visit in the
next 12 months, and internationally, 34 percent of Americans are planning
to visit Europe in the year to come.
  Jerba, Tunisia, TravelCast’s Next Hot Spot in 2008

  TripAdvisor(TM) 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,
http://www.tripadvisor.com. The TravelCast then predicts the rising stars in
travel. The top three emerging world hotspots for travel are Jerba,
Tunisia, Makadi Bay, Egypt and Phangnga, Thailand. The complete world and
U.S. top ten lists are provided below.
  TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten World Destinations for 2008

  1.  Jerba, Tunisia

  2.  Makandi Bay, Egypt

  3.  Phangnga, Thailand

  4.  Kovalam, India

  5.  Sabaudia, Italy

  6.  Asilah, Morocco

  7.  Ko Phangan, Thailand

  8.  La Plagne, France

  9.  Yangshuo, China

  10. Kotor, Montenegro

  TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten U.S. Destinations for 2008

  1.  Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

  2.  Kitty Hawk (Outer Banks), North Carolina

  3.  Seward, Alaska

  4.  Kailua, Hawaii

  5.  Blue Ridge, Georgia

  6.  Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

  7.  San Marcos, Texas

  8.  Paso Robles, California

  9.  Rockport, Texas

  10. Copper Mountain, Colorado
  “The major trends we’re observing are that travelers value cleanliness
above all else and are becoming more environmentally conscious,” said
Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “Based on
TripAdvisor’s TravelCast, the top emerging world destination is Jerba,
Tunisia, and Thailand is the hottest country, featuring two destinations in
the world’s top ten.”
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