Despite continuing economic uncertainty and ongoing national security issues, a new independent phone poll of Americans commissioned by Travelocity

reveals that an overwhelming majority of consumers are planning to travel in 2003 for business and leisure and many of them will venture further from home than they did in 2002. Of those who have made some decision about their travel plans in 2003, 85 percent plan to travel and nearly half would still travel regardless of heightened homeland security levels.

Travelocity`s third-party research also reveals that the largest group of survey participants, almost 30 percent, will choose to spend time with their families in 2003 over other types of vacation activities. Additionally, nearly 50 percent plan on taking a combination of short and long trips for 2003 (a 7 percent increase over 2002).

The poll, a random phone survey of 1,000 respondents independently conducted for Travelocity by Telenation, a service of Market Facts, was completed in December 2002.
“It`s encouraging for the industry to see that many Americans plan on traveling in the coming year, regardless of the current economic environment or the potential for increased security alerts,” said Amy Ziff, editor-at-large for Travelocity. “It`s important to note that the American consumer remains confident whether traveling for business or leisure, according to this research.”

Some interesting additional findings include:
The vast majority of respondents are likely to go ahead with travel plans for 2003 regardless of current global events and a pending war in the Middle East

83 percent are extremely or at least somewhat likely to proceed with personal travel plans

86 percent are extremely or at least somewhat likely to proceed with business travel plans

A significantly higher number of survey participants indicate intentions of traveling to Europe, Canada, Central or South America in 2003

Survey revealed that travelers planning to go to Europe in 2003 compared to 2002 more than doubled

Some travel patterns would be affected in light of heightened security risks or another U.S. war

There was a decrease of 18 percentage points in travelers willing to travel by air if the risk level of security alerts was heightened

There was a decrease of 16 percentage points in travelers willing to travel by air if the U.S. entered a war in the Middle East

Related stories on ITN:

(07/01/2002) U.S. Travelers Share Views on 2003 Including: War with Iraq, Terrorism, & The Economy

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