HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 8, 2001 - American travelers are bored and, despite the soft economy, want to climb out of the "been there, done
that" rut they're in, a leading travel analyst told weekend delegates to the Society of American Travel Writers convention in Bermuda.

Peter Yesawich, president of Orlando-based Yesawich, Pepperdine and Brown  -- a travel marketing firm -- unveiled results of YPB's 2001 National Travel Monitor.  Americans -- about 2,500 adults -- were quizzed on lifestyle, travel habits and intentions.

Among findings and comments Yesawich shared with SATW delegates:
 

"In the fourth quarter of 2000, we hit the wall" and consumer confidence has hit a four-year low, Yesawich said.  Steepest decline has been in Americans considered "most affluent" (household income $50,000 and up), he noted.

It's a changing lodging picture in America, he said.

Increases have occurred in moderate-priced lodging and value-priced
vacations and Americans have an appetite for all-inclusives, according to the survey.  Americans, Yesawich said, are embracing resorts in greater numbers "vs. the four-walled hotel room" -- and are more brand-conscious than ever before.

American travelers take their vacations in 3- to 4-day increments, he said, and they vacation about three times a year.  About 27 per cent of all vacations are extended, or 5 days or more, Yesawich added.

Asked "Are you happy?" about 40 per cent of the respondents said they were "bored with my life."

Of places they've never visited but would like to, YPB survey respondents listed:

• Hawaii out islands 
• U.S. national parks 
• Honolulu 
• Florida Keys
• Colorado mountain resorts On their international wish list:
• Europe
• Australia
• Caribbean
• Canada 

• Have more fun
• Lose weight
• Organize myself better
• Take a special vacation
• Make a lot of money

SATW is the largest professional society of travel writers, communicators and photographers in the world.  Their convention drew 450 members.