United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Despite economy, Americans will travel farther this year
The wobbly economy will not prevent Americans from traveling farther and spending more money this year, according to a national poll.
“Long-haul bookings to Europe, Asia and Australia are up for 2012, comprising 11 of the top 20 destinations for US travelers, compared to nine in 2011, the survey of 640 travel agents showed,” according to a report from Reuters.
Over 90 percent said their clients would spend the same or more on travel in 2012.
The top two international destinations for 2012, based on actual bookings, remain Caribbean cruises and Cancun, as they were in the 2011 survey.
Amsterdam and Hong Kong, missing from the top 20 in 2011, made the list in 2012.
"We are very encouraged to see the rise in popularity of such a diverse group of international destinations," said Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Franchise Group, which conducted the poll.
Asked to pick the top up-and-coming international destinations, over a third of the agents chose Croatia for Europe, and one-half said Vietnam led in Asia. Panama edged out Ecuador and Brazil among destinations within Central/South America.
The luxury travel segment continues to thrive. More than half the leisure travel specialists polled reported upticks in small ship cruising, off-the-beaten path travel and international family travel.
Las Vegas tops the domestic destinations for 2012 for US travelers, as it did in 2011. Agents cite the lure of gaming and the ease of the getaway for its continued vitality.
Orlando, the home of Disney World, ranked second.
By David Wilkening
David
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel