Fewer Americans Letting Their Outlook on the Economy Impact Summer Travel Plans

NEW YORK, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-thirds of Americans (66%) have at least one leisure trip planned for the summer of 2014 (May through August), a slight increase from 64% last year and a more notable growth when compared to the 60% who were planning a summer leisure trip two years ago. Whether it's a reflection of an improving economy, or merely resignation that "it is what it is" and we should all get on with our lives, fewer U.S. adults are forestalling vacation plans due to their outlook on the U.S. economy.

Three in ten Americans (29%) say they're less likely to travel this summer due to their outlook on the U.S. economy, down five percentage points from last year and an encouraging 12 points from five years ago. Indications that their outlook on the economy has not impacted their likelihood to travel show (51%) corresponding growth, up eight points from last year and eleven points from five years ago.

These are among the findings from a Harris Poll of 2,300 U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) surveyed online from April 16-21, 2014. (Full results, including data tables, available here)

Business travel plans for the coming summer show a marked contrast to leisure travel plans, with the 14% of Americans planning at least one business trip representing a three-point drop since last year and a nine-point slide compared to five years ago.

When it comes to anticipated spending, there are again signs that Americans are feeling more secure. Those planning summer leisure travel anticipate spending an average of $1,779 on their trip(s), up over $100 from the average of $1,665 last summer's travelers were expecting to spend. And while anticipated business travel may be down overall, the average summer travel spending for those who do plan on taking business trips is up by more than $400, from $2,231 last year to $2,665 this year.

Sunny outlook for hitting the beach
When those planning one or more leisure trips over the summer are asked what type(s) of destination they plan to visit, beach locations (44%) are the top response by a wide margin, followed by downtown/center of a city (30%), national/state park (27%) and countryside/rural locations (24%). Roughly two in ten are planning to hit a mountain location (20%), a suburban area (20%), or a theme park (18%) or to go on a leisure/discovery type vacation (17%).

Men are more likely than women to be planning a visit to a downtown/center of city location (34% men vs. 26% women), while those in households with children are more likely than those without to be planning a trip to a beach (53% with, 41% without) or theme park (33% with, 13% without) location.

While vacations are often seen as an opportunity to try something new or step outside one's everyday routine, one finding of interest is that many Americans are gravitating toward destinations that might remind them of home. Urbanites are significantly more likely than their rural counterparts to be planning leisure travel to a downtown/center of city location (37% urban vs. 23% rural), while those living in rural areas are more likely to be planning trips to countryside/rural locations (31% rural vs. 22% urban).

Air travel highs and lows
If our ancestors of just two to three generations ago could glimpse the ease with which Americans can hop from one coast to the other or shuttle between urban centers, they'd surely gape in wonder at the state of modern air travel. That being said, Americans do have some points of contention with the industry, as well as some lines of advancement they're not interested in crossing.

Three-fourths of Americans (76%) and the vast majority of those who travel by commercial air at least once a year (86%) say they're frustrated by all the taxes and fees that get added onto the cost of air travel, and one in four air travelers (26%) report having had at least one airline trip cancelled or severely disrupted by weather during the past winter.

Looking at those who most need to optimize their tray table space when they take to the air, over one in four (27%) of those planning at least one business trip this summer say they'd pay extra for a seat in a "working on the go" section where seats don't recline, indicating a strong desire among some travelers to reclaim their in-flight workspace.

And on the technological front, sentiments are mixed. On the one hand, there seems to be a certain level of expectation present, with two-thirds of U.S. adults (67%) and over three-fourths of air travelers (77%) expecting WiFi on airplanes to be provided for free. On the other hand, many don't want their seatmates taking advantage of that free WiFi too soon, as nearly four in ten (38%) say the new rules allowing electronics to be on during takeoff and landing make them nervous.

Whenever those smartphones are turned on, majorities of Americans clearly want them kept in airplane mode only. Nearly six in ten U.S. adults (58%) and over seven in ten air travelers (71%) say the ban on cell phone calls on airplanes gives them a much-needed reprieve, and over half of Americans (53%) don't think airlines should allow passengers to use their mobile phones on flights.

To see this study's complete findings, or to read other recent Harris Polls, please visit the Harris Poll News Room.

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Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between April 16 and 21, 2014 among 2,300 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, The Harris Poll avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in our panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of The Harris Poll.

Product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

The Harris Poll^® #52, June 2, 2014
By Larry Shannon-Missal, Manager, Harris Poll Content

About Nielsen & The Harris Poll
On February 3, 2014, Nielsen acquired Harris Interactive and The Harris Poll.  Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN) is a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence and mobile measurement. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

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SOURCE The Harris Poll