New study paints picture of US outbound travelers.

The US outbound market grew by less than one percent in 2006 compared to annual 2005 figures, enabling it to post the third successive record for total US outbound travel.

In 2006, 63.7 million US residents traveled abroad, surpassing the 2005 record of 63.5 million.

“The growth came entirely in travel to the overseas regions, 30.1 million, up 5%. Travel to Mexico and Canada declined by 4% or 3%,” according to the latest data from the US Department of Commerce, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries.

Spending by US residents traveling abroad also set the third successive record in 2006 at $99.5 billion, up 5% from 2005.

The top five countries where US travelers spent their 2006 dollars were: Mexico, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and France.

The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries also released a profile of the U.S. travelers who visited overseas destinations.

“The profile provides key information on the travel patterns, traveler characteristics and spending by US travelers going abroad,” says the Commerce Department.

Select highlights, comparing 2006 to 2005 include:-

** The Internet continues to grow in importance as a source of information for international trip planning, moving slightly ahead of travel agents for the first time, says the report. 

** However travel agents continue to be the primary means of booking the trip (39% vs. 29% for travel agents.)The top cities of origin for US travel to overseas destinations in 2006 were: New York City/Nassau, NY; Washington DC Metro; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL, Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA.

** Pre-paid packages increased to almost 15% of overseas travelers in 2006.

** The main purpose of the overseas trip was leisure/recreation/holiday for 42% of the travelers, up from 40%. Visiting friends and relatives was the second highest main purpose of a trip and business travel was next.

** The average length of trip outside the USA remained virtually the same, at 16.2 nights in 2006 compared to16.4 nights in 2005.

** Six percent of travelers were on their first international trip, slightly up from 2005, and the average number of international trips taken by U.S. travelers in the last 12 months was 2.8 about the same as in 2005.

** Top activities for U.S. travelers other than dining in restaurants and shopping were: visiting historical places, visiting small towns and villages, sightseeing in cities, touring the countryside and visiting cultural heritage sites.

** Average international airfares were $1,549, up 9% from 2005, and average trip expenditures (travel payments) per visitor while overseas were $1,418, up almost 6% from 2005.

** More males traveled abroad than females, however, there was a higher proportionate growth in the number of women travelers in 2006.

** The average ages of males and females were 46.7 and 44.2 years old, respectively, slightly older than in 2005. In general, there was growth in the 55 – 65+ year old segments.

** Average household income was $115,600, up 4% from 2005.

Report by David Wilkening