The American Society of Travel Agents has again included Punta Cana among the top 10 spots for international travel in its summer hot spots survey. The report, issued 14 July, highlights that despite the terrorist bombings, they expect bookings to continue strong, and on an upward trend. Punta Cana is featured in sixth place, after Cancun and Jamaica. The Bahamas is listed in 9th place.
According to the survey, the most popular destination for US summer travel was London with 17.4% of the votes. While the poll was taken before the bombings, ASTA reports there have been few cancellations for travel to London. Rome followed with (14.2%), then Cancun (11.3%) and Paris (10.2%). All four of these cities have remained in the top four for the past four years. Western Europe had the strongest overall showing, with Frankfurt, Florence and Amsterdam joining London, Rome and Paris in the top 10. And, warmer destinations such as Cancun, Jamaica and Punta Cana are also popular this summer, according to ASTA.
Cultural destinations seemed to prevail in the preference of US travelers. London, Rome, Paris and Florence, were featured in the top seven destinations with 43% compared to sun and sand destinations that in the top seven with 18%. Considering regions and countries, Italy surpassed Mexico in 2005 with 20.3 percent. Capturing 19 percent, Mexico remained popular, while the United Kingdom took a close third with 18.8 percent. France and the Caribbean trailed with 10.5 and 9.6 percent of the votes, respectively.
See http://www.asta.org/news/index.asp