Understanding Travel – the Statistics and Facts

2010 August 10
by Grace Boyle

I like to geek out to statistics, facts, and numbers. I’m a pretty ethereal, an idealist and a head in the clouds (but feet on the ground) kind of lady, so something about the numbers makes me feel concrete.

Naturally, the numbers must be about something interesting. So did you know statistics about travel? How much people travel? Where they travel? How do they travel? I got the stats, baby.

Photo Credit

According to the US Travel Association (www.ustravel.org) Gen Y makes up 12% of all U.S. leisure travelers and those traveling in this group take an average of 3.9 leisure trips per year. Gen Yers also represent 13% of all business travelers and take an average of 4.2 business trips per year.

That’s doesn’t seem like that much for Gen Y – only 12%! Gen X makes up 31% of all leisure travelers.

How much does traveling account for business travel? In the US alone, it is responsible for $246 billion in spending and 2.3 million American jobs; $100 billion of this spending and 1 million American jobs are linked directly to meetings and events. Furthermore, a 10% increase in business travel spending would increase multi-factor productivity, leading to a US GDP increase between 1.5% and 2.8%. (Source: The Return on Investment of U.S. Business Travel)

How do we plan our trips then? The Internet, of course. Approximately 90 million American adults used the Internet to plan travel during the past year with 76% of online travelers planning leisure trips online. (Source: Travelers’ Use of the Internet, 2009)

Do we travel together or alone? Solo travelers (much like my cousin who I just interviewed here about his world trip) only make up 11% of all US adult leisure travelers. (Source: travelhorizonsTM, July 2009)

What modes of transportation do we take? Interestingly enough, automobiles are the primary means of transportation by leisure visitors (76%) between August 2008 and July 2009. This means, a lot of the travel is domestic and closer in scope to our home (versus International or across the country). However, 42% of US adults reported traveling by air for leisure between August 2008 and July 2009, as well as the second means of transportation.

What about you? How much leisure or business travel do you take? Do you wish you took more or had to travel less for business? This year to-date, I’ve taken 8 leisure trips – half by car, the other half by plane and will have taken 4 business trips.

How do you travel?

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  • Susan Pogorzelski

    Travel AND facts? You've got my number ;) Awesome post, Grace, and great research here. I was doing a similar study on the travel industry for my job a couple of months ago and found a statistic that said something like half of all international travelers do so for rest or vacation, while a smaller percentage go for reasons like visiting family, health, and business. I find this fascinating when you consider Europe's take on holidays as compared to the United States and the respective amount of international travel each population has done (with the US being significantly lower). It really does make you wonder about the influences and opportunities of travel…

    As you and I know, once you're bitten, you're infected for life — but what if you've never had that opportunity in the first place? Interesting to think about in light of these statistics.

    Personally, since 2006, I've vowed to travel at least once a year, internationally and domestically in alternating years (due to cost, of course!) because I think it's just that important — the experience, the people, the learning, the adventure — to0 many advantages to list but that I'm sure you, yourself, know all-too well. I never really counted smaller road trips close to home/in neighboring states as travel, but maybe it's time to. Maybe any kind of travel is just as important.

    You're making me want to hit the road, Grace! Time to pack the bags :)

  • http://doniree.com/ doniree

    Mostly leisure travel for me for now, though as a blogger – it's starting to overlap as I make my way around different conferences and travel writing trips! I love the blend of work/leisure though, so that's working out well. As for solo vs. not-solo travel, I'm a fan of both. I love traveling with Chris or with friends, but I've also had some really great experiences when I've left on my own to explore a place. Granted, I've met up with people the various times I've done that, but there's something extremely empowering about getting yourself to and from a city, learning how to get around that city, and having your own place (hotel, in my case) to crash out. Great stats – here's to wanderlust! :)

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.com Grace Boyle

    @Susan You like the combo? Yay! That's what I was thinking. I started researching and was really interested in what I found, so I thought, why not share it?

    I usually go emotional off the cusp and by experience, but some informative stats always helps.

    I think any kind of small travel is important. I just went to Taos, NM last weekend (road trip) and before that up in the mountains two hours from Colorado for a long weekend. Totally counts as getting away and a sense of traveling. So why not, hit the road? :)

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.com Grace Boyle

    @Doni I love the overlap. Pretty powerful stuff, right?

    The mixture of travel is important and that means doing it solo, doing it with friends, with someone you love, etc. it makes for such a good time!

  • clearlycomposed

    I have not traveled enough this year but will be fixing that with a cross country flight this fall. In the meantime, I did take my first helicopter ride this weekend and it was an absolute blast. What a delightful perspective on the world in one of those whirly bubbles. Love the facts…numbers are yummy. :)

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.com Grace Boyle

    @ClearlyComposed Good for you (with the cross country flight)! Helicopter ride, that's pretty cool. I have yet to do that.

    Numbers are yummy, thanks for stopping by dear :)