US and UK top global travel destinations
The United States, United Kingdom and Japan were voted the top global travel destinations by Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011.
The extensive study involved 11,620 respondents from 23 countries and territories around the world.
One in five (20 percent) respondents surveyed said they are likely to travel to the United States for leisure in the next two years.
The United Kingdom followed closely behind in second place with 19 percent of the respondents saying they are likely to travel there for their holiday, followed by Japan (16 percent) and France and Italy (both 15 percent).
Why the US?
Said Ross Jackson, Head of Cross-Border Business, Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, Visa:
“With great cultural diversity, amazing scenery and a shopping paradise for holidaymakers, it is no surprise that one in five people say they are likely to visit the US in the next two years. The competitive exchange rates preceding the survey would have helped make the US an even more appealing destination to international travelers.”
And the UK?
“The upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games could be a pull factor and it is an indication that sport tourism is proving to be a growing attraction for today's travelers," he said.
As for Japan:
Mainland China and South Korean tourists continue to have strong interest in visiting despit the March tsunami, said Jackson.
Results from the survey also reveal that the highest spenders were respondents from Australia who spent an average of US$3,636 in their last trip. Respondents from Saudi Arabia were the next highest spenders who spent an average of US$3,129 on their last trip.
The survey also found the availability of good deals (70 percent), natural scenery (69 percent),
political stability and good weather (both 66 percent), and new destinations (65 percent) as top
factors which influence travelers’ choice of destinations.
By David Wilkening
David
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