Travel Outside the U.S.

The dollar continues to get weaker abroad while purse strings get tighter at home as Americans look at what they'll do for summer vacation. Sixty-six percent plan to spend summer at home in the U.S., firmly footed on domestic soil, pumping money back into the economy. Only a third of those living in the Midwest and West are even venturing outside the U.S.

U.S. Regional Vacation Trends
Yes, I am Staying Put in the U.S.
Northeast: 62%
South: 65%
Midwest: 69%
West: 69%

Familiar Destinations

There's something to be said about destinations we visit that feel like home. We're creatures of habit, eating at the same restaurant and vacationing at the same place, so it's not as much of a surprise to know 56 percent of Americans will be spending most of their summer vacationing at destinations they have already been to before.

U.S. Regional Vacation Trends
Yes, Back to the Same Old Place
Northeast: 61%
South: 53%
Midwest: 56%
West: 57%

Hitting the Beach

Memorial Day at the beach is as American as apple pie, but you'll be surprised to know that 67 percent of Americans do not plan to make the beach their primary summer vacation destination. Sure, it's much harder for people in the Midwest to reach the beach, but for those living in the West who are not beach bound? Hello ... California?

U.S. Regional Vacation Trends
Yes, There's More Than the Beach
Northeast: 60%
South: 66%
Midwest: 73%
West: 68%

Travel Guides & Books

If you're traveling to just one city, who needs a travel book devoted to the entire country? Sixty-eight percent of Americans are using the Internet to print out travel destination highlights rather than buy travel guides. So besides saving a forest, this option lets users lighten their paper travel load -- only bringing the destination information they need.

U.S. Regional Vacation Trends
Yes, Internet Print Outs Work for Me
Northeast: 65%
South: 70%
Midwest: 70%
West: 66%

Traveler Reviews

There's nothing worse than shelling out all your hard-earned money for a weeks stay in a grand hotel that turns out to be a dump, bed bugs included. Photo-rich websites touting how nice their property is can be alluring, but 48 percent of Americans are also influenced by Internet user reviews and comments for where they'll stay this summer.

U.S. Regional Vacation Trends
Yes, I Read User Reviews
Northeast: 43%
South: 47%
Midwest: 50%
West: 51%

2008 Summer Vacation Survey

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