MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, December 05, 2008
/24-7PressRelease/ -- GeckoGo.com, the fastest growing source of unique travel content, and World Nomads.com, world leaders in low cost travel insurance today announced the results of their recent travel survey of 1162 travellers worldwide.
Global consumers are worried about the economy...but are going ahead with their travel plans
While 43% of survey respondents answered that they felt "terrible" about the current economic environment, only 15% have cancelled their trips. Fifty-one percent of travellers plan to fly about the same amount this holiday season, with 22% planning to travel more than last year.
Americans worried by economy more than rest of world... travel plans affected to higher degree
68% of Americans felt "terrible" about the current economic environment, and 22% have cancelled their trips. 40% of Americans plan to fly less this holiday season, and 44% plan to spend less money on their next vacation.
Travel insurance is considered a necessity by many and is the least affected by the economy: In fact, 10% of respondents are more likely to purchase travel insurance due to the economic situation. Only 7% of respondents would cut back on travel insurance before other expenses such as accommodation, activities, trip length, and food. Sixty-three percent of consumers purchase travel insurance at least sometimes when they travel, and 32% purchase it all the time. 42% consider emergency medical and dental coverage to be the most important reason for purchasing travel insurance.
Travellers will save money by cutting back on accommodations first: 27% said accommodation spending was where they would try to save on first, with 24% saying they will stay in more modest accommodations. 30% will spend more time doing travel planning as a means of saving money, while 31% plan to travel during off-peak season.
Holidays are for family time
Sixty-six percent of respondents usually visit their relatives over the holiday season, with 70% planning to see their relatives the same amount as last year, and another 13% more than last year.
Exchange rates are not a major consideration for travel: Seventy-nine percent of travellers have not avoided travel to specific countries because of unfavourable exchange rates
Spending plans stay the same for majority: Sixty-eight percent plan to spend the same amount or more money on their next vacation.
Travel deals are important: While spending and choice of travel destination do not seem to be significantly changed by the economic downturn, travellers are changing their travel planning behaviour by travelling more during off-peak seasons, spending more time planning and researching, and looking for more travel deals.
Money-saving travel tips from GeckoGo travellers
• Ask locals for shopping tips
• Eat where the locals eat
• Book your flight on a Tuesday - early in the morning if possible
• If driving, pack snacks and a cooler with sandwich fixin's so you don't have to stop to purchase meals
• Maximize use of public transportation
• Stay at a hotel that includes breakfast, or stay in a hostel
• Stay 2-3 days in one place to get better accommodation rates
• Use supermarkets for snacks
• Splurge at lunch, go light during dinner meals
About GeckoGo: GeckoGo (http://www.geckogo.com) is a travel guide for independent travelers filled with suggestions of where to go and what to do based on your interests. It is host to the fastest growing source of unique travel content on the Internet. GeckoGo is based in Mountain View, California and Vancouver, British Columbia.
About World Nomads: WorldNomads.com (http://www.WorldNomads.com) provides a range of travel safety products and services to adventurous and independent travellers from over 150 countries around the world. WorldNomads.com travel insurance and travel safety advice is backed by a suite of specialist international underwriters, emergency medical assistance companies and independent travel safety experts. Travellers can buy, extend and claim online from anywhere in the world, 24/7, even if already travelling. WorldNomads.com aims to keep everyone travelling safely by providing up-to-date travel safety advice and free iPod language guides.
Press Contact:
Alexia Nestora
GeckoGo
Mountain View
303-898-3376
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://www.geckogo.com
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
Read more Press Releases from Alexia Nestora:Other Press Release Headlines:
