With “tax day” fast approaching, Travel Leaders Group asked Americans across the country if they would use any part of their tax refund to go on vacation and 43.8 percent of those polled say they would use some or all of that money for vacation travel.
The new survey results, according to Travel Leaders Group, also reveal that over 94 percent of respondents have taken, or will take, at least one leisure trip in 2013, and their top dream trips include Australia internationally and Hawaii domestically.
The survey includes responses from 1,788 consumers throughout the United States and was conducted by Travel Leaders Group from March 15 to April 8, 2013.
“Americans are clearly bullish on travel once again with over 94 percent of our survey participants planning to travel for pleasure this year and a very significant number intending to use their tax refund to make their travel dreams a reality – that is clearly good news for our nation’s economy,” stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben.
“Speaking of dreams, this survey also provides a window to the travel aspirations of Americans. The desire to see Australia remains incredibly strong – it has long been the top dream destination in our annual consumer survey, " Liben said.
Key Findings:
Tax Refund – Money for Travel: When asked, “If you receive a tax refund this year, will you be using any part of that money for vacation travel?” 43.8 percent of consumers polled say “Yes” while 56.2 percent say “No.”
· For only those who indicated they would be receiving a tax refund and would use that money for travel, they were asked: “In 2012, the average tax refund was roughly $3,000. Using that figure, if you were to receive a refund of $3,000 this year, how much of that money would you spend on travel?” 27 percent said all of it.
Leisure Travel – Still a Priority: Over 94 percent of those polled say they “have or will take” at least one leisure trip this year.
· Over 90 percent indicate that the total number of leisure trips they anticipate taking in 2013 will be either the same or more than last year (36.1% say “more” while 54.0% say “the same”).
· Also, 83.4 percent of those polled state they will spend the same or more on leisure trips this year versus 2012 (39.7% will spend “more” and 43.7% will spend “the same” on their leisure trips as compared to last year).
· Land or Cruise: When asked whether participants’ leisure trips were land-based, cruise-only or a combination of both, the results (compared to previous years) show: Land-based only in 2013, 59.9 percent, 63.5 percent in 2012 and 77.3 percent in 2011. Cruise only 2.7 percent in 2013 vs 2.3 percent in 2012. Both land-based and cruise vacations 37.4 percent in 2013 and 34.3 percent in 2012 up from 21.2 percent in 2011.
· Traveling Away from Home: With so many survey participants indicating they will take at least one leisure trip in 2013, it was also important to find out how far they are traveling from home. Selecting all options that apply to their leisure trip(s) this year, their top responses were: Travel within the U.S and further than a bordering state, 75.8 percent, Travel within your home state, 46.9 percent, Travel internationally (Canada, Mexico and/or Caribbean) 44.1 percent, Travel to bordering state 39.0 percent and travel international(Europe) 31.1 percent.
The Dream “Down Under”: While only a fraction of consumers polled indicate they are headed to Australia this year, it remains the #1 “dream” international destination for U.S. travelers. The international travel dreams of Americans include Australia, Itqly, New Zealand, Cruise-World, Fiji and Bora Bora.
The U.S. Dream: When survey participants were asked, “If you could take a trip anywhere in the U.S., where would you choose to go?” the top choices include: Hawaii, California, Alaska, Florida and New York.
This is the fifth consecutive year for this travel survey, Travel Leaders reports. American consumers were engaged predominantly through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as through direct contact with travel clients for the following Travel Leaders Group companies: Nexion, Results! Travel, Travel Leaders, Tzell Travel Group and Vacation.com.
Visit www.travelleadersgroup.com