The majority of American travelers plan to vacation within the U.S. during the next year, taking a combination of short and long trips, according to a new independent phone poll commissioned by Travelocity. Two in three Americans have made decisions about travel, leaving a third undecided.
In comparison to a similar poll completed by Travelocity

in December of 2002, this new poll shows Americans are shifting their attention to the more traditional vacation - seeing the country and spending time with family and friends. Eighty-eight percent plan to travel within the U.S. more than 200 miles from home, up from 82 percent in December, and 61 percent plan to take a trip within 200 miles, up significantly from 42 percent in December. More travelers now plan specifically to spend leisure trips with family and friends, up dramatically to 42 percent from 28 percent in December. 

“When considering travel over the next twelve months, it appears Americans have become more inclined to explore their own country and their own back yards rather than exotic international destinations,” said Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s Editor-At-Large.

Respondents who are undecided or do not intend to travel cited less concerns about the safety and inconvenience of travel than in the past; instead, those reluctant or undecided about travel say that economics and cost is a primary consideration (25 percent - same as December) with a marked increase in those who plan to stay closer to home (21 percent, up from 7 percent in December). 

“Because the cost of travel remains low, consumers’ conservatism appears to be more a reflection of their desire to be economically cautious, to search for great values, and stay inside a smaller geographic comfort zone right now,” said Ziff.

The poll, a random phone survey of 1,000 respondents independently conducted for Travelocity by TeleNation, a service of Synovate, was completed March 30, 2003. It also offers a comparison to information gathered in a similar poll completed in December, 2002.

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