PARSIPPANY, N.J. (July 3, 2012) –
Travelers around the globe are rising above recent economic uncertainty
by not only vacationing this summer, but increasing their allotted
budget to do so—this according to a second round of survey findings
released today by Wyndham Hotel
Group, the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,150 hotels.
Commissioned to better understand the vacation spending habits of
Wyndham Hotel Group’s global guests, the survey polled just over 5,600
adults in key cities throughout the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, and
the U.K.
U.S. vs. International Travelers:
- The majority (70 percent) of travelers worldwide intend to
spend the same amount or more on vacation this year as they did last
year, with 35 percent opting to spend more. Of those who will spend
more, two thirds (66 percent) of Chinese travelers and more than half
(52 percent) of U.S. travelers intend to use that money to take a
longer vacation.
- Excluding the cost of accommodations, U.S. travelers (37
percent)—along with those in Canada (36 percent) and China (42
percent)—plan to spend the bulk of this year’s vacation budget on
entertainment and excursions. Meanwhile, U.K. travelers (37 percent)
put dining out at the top of their list and Brazilian travelers (40
percent) put shopping at the top of their list.
- When asked what hotel extras they would be most willing to
pay more for while on vacation, U.S. travelers ranked a hotel in a
better location as their top choice (35 percent), followed by a great
view (30 percent) and access to spa facilities (30 percent).
Comparatively, travelers in Brazil ranked great customer service (40
percent) and breakfast (40 percent) highest, while Chinese travelers
made spa facilities (45 percent) their top choice.
- Of those travelers who are looking to cut back on their
spending, less than a quarter (24 percent) said they would give up
vacationing to do so, with the vast majority opting instead to pass up
activities like dining out or giving up a night out/drinks with family
or friends. U.S. travelers in particular put great emphasis on the
importance of vacationing, placing it last on their list of items
they’d be willing to forgo.
Commonalities Amongst All
Travelers:
- A third of all travelers (34 percent) belong to a hotel
loyalty program. Of those who do, 62 percent indicate that loyalty
program membership influences their hotel choice. Loyalty program
membership is highest in China with half (50 percent) of travelers
belonging to at least one program, followed closely by travelers in the
U.S. (40 percent). Membership is lowest in the U.K. at 20 percent.
- When it comes to booking a hotel, close to half (45
percent) of travelers will opt for midscale accommodations over any
other. Of those who travel once or less a year, over a quarter (28
percent) will opt for a budget or economy offering. Meanwhile, of those
who travel four times a year or more, over a third (39 percent) prefer
upscale accommodations.
- Asked what types of vacations they would most likely save
up for and aspire to take, a visit to a major theme park ranked highest
with 43 percent of all travelers making it their top choice. Coming in
a close second and third where shopping (40 percent) and
adventure-themed trips (37 percent). Of the least interest were trips
centered around mountain climbing and skiing.
About Wyndham Hotel Group
Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN) family of
companies, is the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,150 hotels
and approximately 609,300 rooms in 65 countries under the hotel brands:
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super
8®, Wingate by Wyndham®, Baymont Inn & Suites®,
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham®, Hawthorn Suites® by
Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham™, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and
Knights Inn®. In addition, the company has license agreements to
franchise the Planet Hollywood Hotels, Dream® and Night® brands
and provide management services globally.
All hotels are independently owned and operated excluding certain
Wyndham and TRYP by Wyndham hotels as well as certain international
Ramada, Days Inn and Super 8 hotels, which may be managed by one of the
affiliates of Wyndham Hotel Group. Wyndham Hotel Group is based in
Parsippany, N.J. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com. For more
information about hotel franchising opportunities visit www.whgdevelopment.com.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by IFOP Asia (www.ifop.com)
between 18 to 28 April, 2012. For this research, 5,617 interviews were
fielded among nationally representative adults, ages 21 years and
older, in the following markets: Brazil, Canada, China, the United
Kingdom and the United States. All interviews were conducted online in
either English and/or in local languages.
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