PLYMOUTH, Minn., May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- While Europe continues to forcefully address
security issues to thwart potential terror plots, new survey data
from Travel Leaders Group indicates that France has bounced back in the eyes of
American travelers. For individuals with upcoming Europe travel plans in 2016, France was selected as the top country
those travelers will visit – followed by Italy, the United
Kingdom, Germany and
Spain. However, for survey
participants stating they're not planning a trip to Europe between now and the end of the year,
safety concerns still rank among the top five reasons. The survey
was conducted April 4 to April 30,
2016, and includes responses from 3,431 consumers throughout
the United States.
"The 'new normal' in today's world means potential risks of
travel exist just about everywhere, including here at home. So
perhaps it's not surprising that our latest survey data indicates
that many Americans will not let fear and threats overtake their
desire to embrace the world and experience other cultures;
France is a primary example,"
stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan
Chacko. "While each person must decide on their
personal level of comfort in traveling to any destination – even
those within the U.S. – the survey data shows many are still
choosing Europe, and France specifically, as their destination of
choice. Travel continues to be one of the single-most powerful
catalysts for addressing ignorance, fear and hate. Based our survey
findings, a significant number of American travelers agree."
Key Findings:
- For the 8.2% of survey participants who've already
traveled to Europe this year,
the top European countries visited have been: (1) United Kingdom, (2) France, (3) Italy, (4) Germany, and (5) Netherlands.
- For those with upcoming plans to travel to Europe – 17.1% of survey respondents – the top
European destinations visited will be: (1) France, (2) Italy, (3) United
Kingdom, (3) Germany, and
(5) Spain.
- When asked, "Is your intention to continue with those travel
plans?" nearly all (98.3%) respondents said "Yes."
- The survey also asked participants if they are contemplating
a trip (or another trip) to Europe in 2016. Of the nearly 28% who
said "Yes," the top destinations they are considering include: (1)
United Kingdom, (2) Italy, (3) France, (4) Germany, and (5) Ireland.
- For those individuals stating they are not planning a trip
to Europe between now and the
end of the year, the top reasons included:
|
|
Big vacation already
taken or planned for 2016
|
48.5%
|
|
|
Expenses
|
31.2%
|
|
|
Concerns over
safety
|
25.5%
|
|
|
Not interested in
Europe
|
16.4%
|
|
|
No vacation
time
|
6.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Participants could select as many options as appropriate.
Two of the most popular "write in" responses were: "Already
going or have gone to Europe" and "Been there, want to see
something different."
|
- Taking into consideration recent events, survey participants
were asked, "Are there any countries in Europe you would specifically avoid this
year?" The top responses, from nearly 3,100 survey
participants, were:
|
|
1
|
No
|
37.5%
|
|
|
2
|
No - I/we cannot
allow fear to dictate our travels
|
26.6%
|
|
|
3
|
Turkey
|
21.0%
|
|
|
4
|
Belgium
|
14.4%
|
|
|
5
|
Russia
|
14.3%
|
Through the years, Travel Leaders Group has built a reputation
for gathering extensive travel trends data from its vast network of
travel agents and more recently from American consumers and
travelers. This is the 8th consecutive year for the consumer travel
survey. American consumers were engaged through social media
channels such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as through direct
contact with travel clients for the following Travel Leaders Group
companies including the flagship Travel Leaders brand, as well
as All Aboard Travel, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel
International, Results! Travel, SinglesCruise.com, Tzell Travel
Group and Vacation.com units.
With annual sales approaching $21
billion, Travel Leaders Group is the largest traditional
travel agency company in North
America, comprised of approximately 30% of all travel
agencies in North America that are
wholly-owned, franchised, or member agencies. It's a leader in both
the retail travel agency space and corporate travel, and
consistently ranks as one of the top travel companies
nationwide.
About Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group
(www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming
travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel
clients via our progressive approach toward each unique travel
experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers – through
our beginnings as Carlson Leisure Group, a division of Carlson
Companies, TraveLeaders and Tzell Travel Group and through the
additions of Nexion, Vacation.com and Protravel International –
Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel
operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands.
With annual sales of approaching $21
billion through over 6,500 locations, Travel Leaders Group
ranks as one of the industry's largest traditional travel agency
companies.
Contact:
|
Steve
Loucks
|
Kathy
Gerhardt
|
|
763-744-3797
|
763-744-3710
|
|
sloucks@travelleaders.com
|
kgerhardt@travelleaders.com
|
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SOURCE Travel Leaders Group