Prospects for US travel are changing, says Ron Erdmann, deputy director for travel at the US Department of Commerce. He warned the Caribbean about a dramatic shift in the characteristics of travelers from 2006 to 2007. He urged markets to take heed because travelers will go to destinations that offer what they want.
He said that recent research had found that the Internet continues to dominate as the No. 1 source of information, with 45% of travelers referring to the Internet to decide where to go for vacation. This compares to 25% who relied on travel agents, 27% who relied on airlines, and 15% who relied on friends and relatives.
He explained that tourists are planning their trips far in advance and not waiting for the last minute to make a decision. Their research shows that average planning time has increased to 93 days.
Furthermore, he said that there is a marked decline in the number of tourists who are traveling on packages – going from 29% in 2006 to 16% in 2007. On the other hand, there is a heavy market of repeat travelers who are taking multiple trips during the year to leisure destinations. He said that 57% of travelers are on leisure trips, 29% are visiting friends and relatives, and 10% are on business trips. The average trip for the American traveler is nine nights, which is up from eight days.
Another major change he urged the Caribbean marketers and policy makers to keep in mind is that the taxi has become the dominant way for travelers to get around within the islands, followed by rental car. More tourists are booking taxis instead of tour excursions to see the islands at their leisure. This makes it necessary for educational programs to be in place and good road signage to be available.
The study showed that there has been an increase in interest in visiting small towns and touring the countryside, and a decline in dining, shopping, watersports, sunbathing and casino gaming.