Travel better today or so says a new survey
Despite all the current complaints about travel, most Americans think it’s better today than it was a decade ago, according to a new survey.
The poll by online travel company Orbitz showed that more than two-thirds of people think travel has improved during the last decade. One reason is that 61 percent say the ability to comparison shop online is the best thing about travel in 2011 compared to a decade earlier.
"There is a time and money factor," said Marita Hudson-Thomas, Orbitz’s director of public relations. "It’s fast and it’s easy now with online bargain hunting, and people can make sure they are getting the absolute best deal."
Eighty one percent said additional airline charges, such as checked bag fees and paying for meals, were the worst things about travel in 2011.
"Money is important to people," Hudson-Thomas said. "Anything that takes money out of their pocket, people are not going to like."
The ability to choose seats was the most popular part of the in-flight experience, with 27 percent of people saying they found it particularly useful.
The poll of 1,000 Americans who have travelled within the last year also showed that despite the massive increase in the use of smart phones over the last decade, 76 percent of travellers who own them have not used one to book travel arrangements.
Could that change as people become more comfortable with new technologies?
Very likely.
By David Wilkening
David
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