The Week in Stats: Top Summer Destinations and a Boost in Airline Safety

Each week Travel Agent is rounding up the latest trends, research and statistics from around the travel industry. This week the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) Hot Spots for Summer survey provided a preview of the summer travel season and a new report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed encouraging numbers for airline safety. 

Source: ASTA Hot Spots for Summer Survey

London and Rome led the list of top international cities in ASTA's Hot Spots for Summer Survey, with a 9 percent and 8 percent share of the vote, respectively. In terms of countries and regions, Italy continued to lead the way with 19 percent of the vote, and Mexico jumped to second place at 11 percent, after spending two years in third and fourth place. 

Source: ASTA Hot Spots for Summer Survey

In the United States, Orlando and Las Vegas took top honors as the most popular cities for the twelfth year in a row. At the same time, both cities have seen a slow decline in market share since 2007 - Orlando fell from 21 percent to 17 percent, and Las Vegas fell from 19 percent to 14 percent. 

MORE INFO: ASTA Study: London and Rome Top International 2014 Summer Destinations

Source: International Air Transport Association Air Passenger Market Analysis February 2014

New data from the IATA has shown that global passenger traffic grew 5.4 percent in February as compared to the same month last year. 

Source: International Air Transport Association Air Passenger Market Analysis February 2014

Internationally, the Middle East showed the strongest increase in passenger traffic in February, with an increase of 13.4 percent. In terms of countries, China and Russia grew by 12 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively. 

MORE INFO: IATA Says Global Passenger Traffic Grew 5.4 Percent in February 2014

Source: IATA Safety Fact Sheet, December 31, 2013

The IATA has also reported that airline fatalities fell in 2013 to 210 from 414 in 2012. The accident rate, however, rose slightly from 0.21 to 0.41 hull losses per million flights following 2012's record low. 

MORE INFO: IATA Report Shows Aviation Accidents Decreased From 2012 to 2013, Africa Makes Progress

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