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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Will your next travels be leaner and greener?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like many people right now, I am focused on getting through the coming weeks of holiday shopping, shipping and traveling. I haven’t thought about journeys - near or far - that might take place in the year 2009. Even as I try to navigate the next 20-something days, the postal service is already delivering piles of brochures from destinations past - all begging me to look beyond the New Year toward my next great travel adventure.
Holidays notwithstanding, I would probably still find it difficult to book a big trip right now. Economic uncertainty and a family of five rarely add up to an exotic or expensive getaway. While singles or couples without children may afford the next travel season better than a large family, the economy will likely affect most everyone’s travel decisions.
Earlier this fall, TripAdvisor released its top travel trends for 2009. Even before some of the worst market slides had occurred, the survey showed Americans’ travels will be a little leaner in 2009. In addition, more travelers said they would choose a “greener” vacation as well. The results? Seventy-three percent of American travelers are predicted to visit a national park in 2009 (an 11 percent increase over 2008’s estimates). The numbers of travelers who will spend their breaks hiking, cycling or participating in other adventure or sports activities are also expected to increase.
“[Travelers] plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor, said in release announcing the travel trend results.
Traditional beach breaks and city sightseeing vacations are by no means out. Sixty-one percent of respondents still plan to head to the seaside next year, and 60 percent hope to tour a city. However, fuel costs will play a major role in destination choice for 61 percent of travelers; and half will postpone or limit travel in Europe next year because of exchange rates. (The dollar-euro exchange yesterday was $1.27 and the dollar-British pound rate was $1.48.) Eighteen percent even say they might opt for a “staycation” at or nearby home next year. For the rest of TripAdvisor’s 2009 travel trends, check out this link.
Next week, we’ll go back to full-on holiday mode, but this week, I wanted to ask… how do you feel about traveling next year? What do you think of the list of travel trends? Will 2009 be a leaner and/or greener travel year for you?
Is the economy affecting the number of trips you plan to take? The length you stay? Will it play a role in determining your destination? Or how you plan to get there?
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