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Look to the Internet as Primary Resource for Researching and Booking Travel Plans |
WOBURN, Mass. - June 7, 2006 -- Summer may be too short, but consumers
are doing their best to prolong the fun. A recent Prospectiv CPI poll found
that when vacationers hit-the-road this summer, they'll be traveling farther
from home and staying at their destination longer compared to Summer 2005.
Prospectiv (http://www.prospectiv.com), a provider of online customer acquisition
solutions to leading consumer brands, is the owner and operator of the
online properties Eversave.com, Healthier.com, and TheKnowledgeStop.com.
Prospectiv's CPI poll also revealed how consumers plan their vacations, most notably the fact that the majority of consumers (83 percent) use the Internet for researching and/or booking summer travel plans. In fact, 67 percent of respondents said they use the Internet as their primary resource for summer travel related information. Consumers Take More Time Off and Travel Farther in 2006 According to a June 2005 Summer Travel CPI poll, only 46 percent of consumers planned to vacation for more than one week - in fact, 54 percent of vacationers planned to stay at their destination for less than seven days. This summer, 74 percent of travelers said they will leave home for one to two weeks. Not only are consumers extending the length of their vacations in 2006, they are venturing farther from home - the summer season will see an increase in out-of-state travelers. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said they will leave their home-state for vacation this summer - this represents an 11 percent increase in out-of-state travelers compared to the 2005 Summer Travel CPI poll. Where will these longer vacations be taken? According to the recent survey, seaside/lakeside resorts were the number one destination for vacationers - 29 percent of consumers will stay at one in 2006, jumping 10 percent from last year's poll. More people (4 percent) will also be taking a summer cruise in 2006, up 2 percent from 2005. Camping will decline by 50 percent this summer as only 8 percent of respondents said they will camp this summer - according to the 2005 survey results, 16 percent of summer vacationers camped last year. Not surprisingly, the CPI poll revealed that rising fuel prices will affect 60 percent of consumers' decisions regarding their 2006 summer vacation planning. But, despite this fact, 31 percent of respondents said they will spend more money on vacation arrangements this year compared to what they spent a year ago. Forty percent of consumers surveyed said they will spend the same in 2006 and 20 percent plan to spend less than in 2005. Flocking Online for Summer Travel Planning In addition to findings that consumers look to the Internet as their primary research tool for summer vacation planning, Prospectiv's CPI also revealed that consumers want even more online travel content. Eighty-eight percent of consumers polled said they would welcome even more summer travel information specific to their interests via online channels such as websites, email offers and other online discounts - increasing their Internet use for travel planning. Currently, 30 percent of consumers book travel arrangements through
online travel sites; 21 percent book reservations using a hotel's/destination's
own website; and 31 percent use online resources for researching summer
travel options, but do not book online.
"The CPI findings show that the Internet is an ideal way to reach consumers with branding messages, special offers, discounts and other summer travel promotions," said Jere Doyle, President and CEO, Prospectiv. "Travel and tourism marketers who expand their visibility online will be at a definite advantage as travel-specific e-newsletters and targeted discounts continue to grab the attention of an increasing number of consumers." With the increasing costs of taking a vacation, consumers surveyed said certain incentives would entice them into traveling. Thirty-two percent of consumers said discount offers for extended hotel stays would increase their summer travel this year; 28 percent said discounts to preferred restaurants, stores and attractions would get them on the move; rebates on gas expenses would promote more travel by 26 percent of consumers polled. Prospectiv conducted the 2006 Summer Travel survey online, gathering responses from over 1000 consumers across the United States. The survey was conducted from May 22 - 29, 2006 About Prospectiv's Consumer Preference Index (CPI):
About Prospectiv:
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Contact:
Tom Francoeur
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Also See: | Leisure Travel Hits Six Year High in the U.S.; Top Three Most Desired Destinations - Florida , California , Hawaii / YPB&R Survey / April 2005 |
More Than 88% of Travelers Not Able to Let Go of Their Cell Phone, Laptop, or PDA While on Vacation / Travelocity Survey / June 2005 |