Steve Robinson

Holiday Travel Expected to Rise

The availability of cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms are expected to contribute to an increase in holiday travel that is forecast to jump as much as 10 percent this year, according to an Access America Vacation Confidence Index poll.

The study found that almost six in ten Americans (57 percent) are confident that they will take a holiday trip this year vs. only 50 percent in 2010.

This increase will result in almost $6 billion more being spent on travel, resulting in total holiday travel spending coming in around $65 billion this year, 10 percent more than 2010.

Individual travelers expect to spend $980 on average, down from the $1,040 spent last year.

Although the majority of holiday travelers (56 percent) will drive, more travelers plan to fly this year than they have since 2008.  Thirty four percent of holiday travelers will fly this year, up from 26 percent last year and 27 percent in 2009.

Americans are increasingly planning on booking early, with 49 percent intending to reserve their airline tickets at least two months in advance vs. 42 percent in 2010.

Men are more likely than women to book holiday travel late, with 32 percent saying they plan to reserve tickets within one month of their departure vs. 21 percent of women.

Travel appears to be an increasingly important investment for most Americans even during difficult economic times.

Article Tags: Holiday Travel

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