Summer travel

TripAdvisor announced Monday (May 16) that a higher number of survey respondents say they are planning summer trips than did so in the 2010 survey. However, fewer are expected to travel by car, and those who do are planning shorter trips.

According to the survey of 2,000 Americans, 86% of travelers are planning leisure trips this summer; up from 83% who said they traveled last summer. Of the travelers, 39% said the rising cost of fuel is affecting their summer travel plans, with 18% of respondents expect to take fewer trips by car, 12% intend to take shorter driving trips and 5% are not planning to travel at all this summer as a result of rising fuel prices.

The majority of U.S. travelers expect gas prices to continue to rise throughout the summer, with 76% expecting gas prices to hit at least $4.50 per gallon for regular fuel, and 13% expecting prices to exceed $5 per gallon.

Overall, 66% plan to drive to their Memorial Day destination, down from 70% in 2010. Airports may be busier with 35% saying they will fly, up from 29% in 2010.

"Time and time again we see that U.S. travelers are undeterred by outside influences when it comes to summer travel," Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor, said in a statement. "While rising gas prices will continue to keep Americans mindful of mileage, the vast majority intend to hit the road for leisure trips this summer."

OTHER FINDINGS
• 18% said they will bypass car trips if gas prices reach $5 per gallon, and an additional 20% said they will avoid road trips if costs exceed $5 per gallon.

• As a result of the rising gas prices, 24% of travelers said the maximum distance they are willing to drive for a leisure trip this summer is 200 miles.

• If it meant significant savings on airfare costs, 21% would be willing to spend 10 hours or more driving to a destination this summer.  

• More than a quarter of travelers surveyed (26%) said they will spend more on leisure travel this summer than last, while 42% expect to spend the same amount.

• Of those traveling this summer, 63% said they will drive and 62% expect to fly. 66% said they will check into hotels this summer, 28% will stay with family or friends, and 18% will stay at vacation rental homes.

• Of those respondents driving, 71% will travel more than 100 miles, and 23% will drive more than 300 miles.

• 29% said rising fuel prices have affected their Memorial Day travel plans, and 15% said they are not planning to travel as a result, and 7% will take a shorter trip by car.

• When asked about the destination setting type for their vacation this summer, 50% of those traveling said they will take a city leisure trip. 40% noted they will stay at an ocean location, 18% will visit a national park, and 16% will travel to a lake.

• The top 10 destination cities during summer vacations are (in order from 1 to 10): New York City, Honolulu, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Lahaina (Hawaii), Kailua-Kona (Hawaii), New Orleans, San Diego, Sedona, Ariz., and Seattle.