Expedia Study Shows More Americans Plan to Take Road Trips This Summer

Half of Americans plan to take a road trip of more than 200 miles this summer, according to Expedia’s American Traveler survey. In addition, Americans are 14 percent likelier to take a road trip in 2013 than they were the year prior.

In other survey findings: 96 percent of Americans listen to music on road trips. Among the 50 percent of Americans planning a road trip this summer, half will travel with children. For both groups, the top iconic destinations are the Grand Canyon (with 22 percent citing it), Mount Rushmore (11 percent), the Statue of Liberty (10 percent), and Washington's National Mall (8 percent).

The biggest deterrent to a summer road trip is high gas prices, at 64 percent. Additional deterrents include taking time off from work (36 percent), traffic (30 percent), kids fighting in the back seat (22 percent), no desire (8 percent), lack of personal space (6 percent), and back-seat driving from fellow passengers (5 percent). Twelve percent said “other,” and 13 percent said there are no deterrents.

“Entertaining the kids” is the top priority for those who plan to take an extended road trip with children. Mobile games top the list of in-car entertainment. And 68 percent of Americans report that their children play games (on tablets, smartphones, computers and handheld game systems) on the road.

While on a road trip, 46 percent of Americans use smartphones to share status updates on social media sites; 82 percent use smartphones to make calls; 73 percent use them for maps and directions; 71 percent use them to check email; 70 percent use them to send texts; 64 percent use them to take travel photos; 46 percent use them for games; and 25 percent use them to book hotel rooms from the road.

Among those planning a road trip this summer, 63 percent plan to book more than two weeks in advance; 24 percent plan to drive right up to a hotel to ask about vacancy; 20 percent take advantage of last-minute hotel deals through travel booking websites; 12 percent book via their mobile devices while on the road; and 6 percent don't book hotels at all (they camp or stay with friends).

Cruise lines experiencing low demand for this summer 2013 sailings in Europe

Demand for summer European cruises has almost bottomed out. Look for some great cruise only prices on the horizon.

Major cruise lines are already bailing on the 2014 season so this may be the year to cruise Europe.

The huge issue will be locating airfare to the Continent. Higher fuel prices and reduced seat inventory have driven up airfares! 

Happy Birthday Las Vegas!

On May 15, 1905, the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad auctioned off 110 acres and established the railroad town of Las Vegas! 

The town was a layover point for the railroad and was not incorporated as a city until 1911. 

Gambling was not legalized until 1931. The American mafia took note when Bugsy Siegal proposed the location as ideal for his Flamingo Hotel in 1946 and funneled millions of dollars in money belonging to organized crime into the area. 

With the completion of Hoover Dam and the constant stream of tourist dollars, the city became a mecca for thrill seekers and a booming job market.

Frontier Airlines to depart from CVG

Low cost no frills carrier Frontier will starting flying out of Cincinnati on May 16th 2013. 

They are the airline with the animal picture tails! 

This is the first budget carrier to use CVG since the 1990s. 

This travel guy is going to take a wait & see attitude about how fares will be impacted in the Cincy market.  

New travel report on summer fares & deals!

On-line travel agency Hotwire releases 1st "State of Summer" travel report 

Read about the deals for affordable summer getaways!

Data indicates hotel and car rental prices are up, while airfare is slightly down

Florida could be this Summer's Deal Destination with deep discounts across the board

It's Lei Day!

Aloha! It's May 1^st so celebrate Lei Day!

Since the 1920s, May Day in Hawaii is "Lei Day" - a day set aside to celebrate native Hawaiian culture and its continued contributions to life in the islands.

Hawaii is a frequent entry on many peoples’ bucket list and I agree! It’s a wonderful place to visit! I can’t wait to go back there!

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town! To Hawaii of course!