Affluent travellers most likely to return

(Originally published in TOURISM)

Travelmole's David Wilkening reports that, according to a survey conducted for the U. S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA), travellers with higher disposable incomes are the most likely to return to a favoured destination.

"People imagine high-income travellers jetting around the world, sailing the Amazon, visiting Rome this year, Rio the next, following a safari with a sailing trip along the Turkish coast, or taking an extended cruise," the study says. However, the survey findings defy expectations in that one-third of travellers with household incomes greater than $100,000 indicated they preferred to revisit favorite vacation destinations.

"That is the largest group giving this response in any income category," said Bob Whitley, USTOA president.The survey identified a correlation between increased income and the desire to return to favorite vacation spots. Thirty percent of households earning $50,000 to $99,000 also preferred returning to favorite destinations, but that number dropped to less than 20% for those earning $35,000 and less. "Higher-income travellers also said they enjoy exploring a favorite destination in depth, and a broader selection of side trips would motivate them to select a tour or vacation package," Wilkening's story points out.

Women, and those with lower incomes, based their vacation choices on practical factors, saying that additional meals and sightseeing included in the price would motivate them to select packaged travel. As a case in point, younger travellers (18-34) and families with children under 12 years said free hotel room upgrades were motivating factors, according to the survey.

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