A TripAdvisory survey for 2009 suggests some rather surprising findings regarding where people plan to vacation in 2009.
Topping the list of hotspots this year: Budoni in Sardinia, Italy in Europe and St. George, Utah in the United States.
73% of those surveyed said they planned to visit a national park this year, while 11% say they plan to engage in some form of extreme sport.
With the focus on ecology, it isn’t surprising that 34% of those surveyed said they plan to stay in green-friendly hotels and resorts.
Another not-so-surprising factor involved in making vacation plans this year is the cost of fuel. 61% of those surveyed said fuel plays a strong role in their vacation decisions; 18% said they will make more car trips because of lower fuel costs.
Credit Crunch Travel Plans
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Top Vacation Hotspots for 2009
Trend Themes
1. Ecotourism - With the focus on ecology, 34% of those surveyed said they plan to stay in environmentally-friendly hotels and resorts.
2. National Park Tourism - 73% of those surveyed said they planned to visit a national park this year.
3. Adventure Tourism - 11% say they plan to engage in some form of extreme sport.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - With the rising trend in ecotourism, there is an opportunity for hotels and resorts to position themselves as environmentally-friendly accommodations.
2. Travel and Tourism - As national park tourism and adventure tourism continue to gain popularity, travel companies can expand their offerings to cater to these trends.
3. Oil and Gas - With the cost of fuel playing a strong role in vacation decisions, oil and gas companies can innovate to find more affordable and sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels.