Travel Preferences And Habits Research
Travelers perceive value as combination of money, time and convenience
BOSTON - Smart Destinations today announced the results of its consumer survey, which explored the depth and breadth of travelers' research processes and purchase preferences and habits.
The survey, which includes responses from more than 500 U.S. travelers, shows that consumers take their vacations seriously, seeking advice, conducting online research and actively looking for deals. Today's travelers engage in an extensive research process, which often takes place over several months and includes numerous and varied information sources. While travelers consult several sources, when asked to select their most trusted sources, they selected the following:
Recommendations from friends (92 percent)
Online searches (70 percent)
Online reviews from other travelers (53 percent)
Travel books (50 percent)
The survey also revealed that travelers are proactively looking for value, and they are willing to conduct the necessary research to accomplish that. Additionally, travelers' definition of value is expanding. This value-mindset now goes beyond hotels and airfare and includes attractions, as well as savings in time and added convenience.
75 percent of respondents actively try to get discounted admission in advance if there is a specific activity they want to do on their trip
95 percent of respondents would buy admission in advance if they could "skip the line" at popular attractions
46 percent of respondents would pay more than the retail price to eliminate waiting in line
Travelers also indicated that promotions and sales, specifically those offering a 25 percent discount or greater, are key purchase triggers.
90 percent of travelers would pre-purchase attraction tickets for a 25 percent discount
92 percent of travelers would buy bundled admission of 3-5 attractions at once for a 25 percent discount
"The key takeaway from the study is that travelers today want value in all their travel purchases – including attractions and activities – and they are actively seeking out products and companies that can help them achieve that," said Cecilia Dahl, President and Founder of Smart Destinations. "We have seen this first hand in the sales of our Go City products which in 2010 saved consumers a record $5 million on the cost of attraction visits."
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