Business View Caribbean - June 2015 11
from when this question was first asked six years ago
(40 percent in 2009) – and an additional 9 percent
say their outlook on the economy will make them more
likely to travel. 27 percent still say they’re less likely
to travel this summer due to their outlook on the U.S.
economy, but that percentage continues to decrease
year over year.
These are among the findings from a Harris Poll of
2,215 U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) surveyed online
from April 16-20, 2015 .Business travel, however, has
yet to make a similar recovery, with just 15 percent of
Americans planning at least one business trip. While
relatively unchanged from last year’s 14 percent, it’s a
cumulative eight-point drop compared to six years ago
(23 percent in 2009).
Regardless the type of travel, Americans plan to spend
upwards of $1,500 on their trips, on average. Those
planning summer leisure travel anticipate spending an
average of $1,722 on their trips while those anticipat-
ing a business trip plan to spend $1,513, on average.
Location, location, location
When those planning at least one leisure trip over the
summer are asked what types of destinations they
plan to visit, beach locations (43 percent) rise to the
top. In a distant second place, vacationers will visit the
downtown/center of a city (32 percent), followed by a
national/state park (24 percent) and countryside/ru-
ral locations (22 percent). Two in ten are planning to
hit a mountain location (21 percent), a suburban area
(20 percent), or a theme park (19 percent), and 16
percent plan to find themselves on a leisure/discovery
vacation (e.g., spa, wine country, golf or other unique
attraction).
• Millennials are more likely than any other generation
to be planning a downtown/center of a city vacation
(40 percent vs. 27 percent Gen X, 28 percent Baby
Boomers, & 26 percent Matures).
• Not too surprisingly, adults with mini vacationers in
tow have some differing preferences: those in house-
holds with children are more likely than those without
to be planning a trip to a beach (52 percent with, 38
percent without) or theme park (31percent with, 13
percent without) location.
• It’s unclear whether convenience is key, or if there’s
just no such thing as too much fresh air, but those liv-
ing in rural areas are more likely to be planning trips to
a national/state park (35 percent rural vs. 22 percent
urban & suburban).
Ups and downs of air travel
It’s well known that traveling by air isn’t always smooth
sailing -19 of air travelers say they had at least one
airline trip cancelled or severely disrupted by weather
during the past winter, and 15 percent plan to take a
vacation this summer to “make up” for one cancelled
or affected by winter weather.
However, this certainly doesn’t stop Americans from
taking advantage of the ability to fly and some of these
flyers might be in for a new in-flight experience. Recent
rule changes now allow use of some electronics during
takeoff and landing. Just over one-third (35 percent)
of adults, and air travelers alike, agree this new rule
makes them nervous.
Meanwhile, 38 percent of adults and 44 percent of
air travelers want even more leeway, agreeing that
airlines should allow passengers to use their mobile
phones on flights. Not everyone agrees on this senti-
ment, however. Over half of adults (53 percent) and
over six-in-ten air travelers (63 percent) agree the ban
on cell phone calls on airplanes gives them a much-
needed reprieve.
