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TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Top Vacation Hotspots for 2009

— February 12, 2009 — Lifestyle
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.

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.
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