Americans Continue to Travel Despite Uncertain Economy

A growing sense of economic uncertainty so far hasn’t left Americans uncertain about their travel plans. In fact, a new survey found that 75 percent of Americans said they plan to spend at least as much on leisure travel in 2008 as they did this year.

Overall, the survey found 93 percent of Americans have taken a leisure trip this past year (with 16 percent taking four or more trips). In contrast, only 85 percent took trips last year.

The annual 2007 Travel Industry Survey, conducted by Deloitte, also found that 63 percent of Americans plan to travel during the holiday period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s with 32 percent planning to take more than one trip during that period.

Survey results indicated that, despite rising gas prices and fears the economy may be slipping into a recession, Americans are still traveling.

The study, which canvassed 2,027 consumers between Oct. 19 and 26, also found evidence that Americans are leaning more towards niche travel, with 49 percent saying they would take adventure travel trips, while 26 percent favored so called “volunteer travel,” where they would participate in a community project.

The survey also found that the lines between business and leisure travel are continuing to blur. Of those responding to the survey, 33 percent said they check and answer work e-mails and voice messages while on vacation, while 52 percent said they extended business trips for leisure activities.