When asked where they would spend a vacation if money were no object, Americans chose Italy to put Australia at second place,out of first for the second time since 1997. Surveyed by Harris Interactive between June 14 and 21, 2,227 online, the top five selections among respondents included Ireland, Great Britain and France. Next in the top 10 were Greece and Germany in a tie, Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Following were Israel, Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands and Switzerland, beating out Brazil and Jamaica, formerly 14 and 15 last year respectively.
Preference differences included gender and generation. Among men, Australia ranks number one. Among women, Italy reigns supreme, agreed upon by Echo Boomers (ages 18-33) and Baby Boomers (ages 46-64). In contrast, Gen Xers (ages 34-45) and Matures (ages 65 and older) favored Australia.
Geographically, almost half of group serveyes (49 percent) chose a country in Europe, while approximately one quarter (24 percent) picked one in Asia or the Pacific. About one tenth (11 percent) selected a country in the Americas or the Caribbean, whereas 4 percent chose Africa and 3 percent picked the Middle East, 3 percent. In contrast, 7 percent opted for vacationing within the U.S.
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