Report

The U.S. Travel Answer Sheet is filled with facts and statistics about leisure, business and international travel. Download this one-page fact sheet about a leading American industry that's more than just fun.

U.S. Travel's research department produces a wealth of valuable facts and trend data, including travel characteristics from the Domestic Travel Market Report. Key findings include:

1. Fewer adults are traveling with children. In 2012, 26 percent of domestic leisure travelers traveled with children under the age of 18 (408.5 million trips) compared with 2008, when 31 percent of adults traveled with children (466.2 million trips).

2. Driving versus flying. In 2012, 33 percent of domestic business trips included air travel compared to just 11 percent of leisure trips. Nearly eight in ten (79%) leisure trips were by car compared to less than half (48%) of business trips.

3. Leisure travelers are older than business travelers.

4. The average age of leisure travelers is 47.5 years old. Mature travelers comprise 36 percent of leisure travel volume (18% are 65+, 18% are 55-64). Nearly two in ten (19%) are 45-55, 17% are 35-44, 20% are 25-34 and 8% are 18-24 years old.

5. The average age for business travelers is 45.9 years old. The majority (26%) are aged 45-54; 20 percent are 55-64; nearly one quarter (24%) are 35-44; 19 percent 25-34 and four percent 18-24 years of age. Only 7 percent are 65+.

6. Traveling households earn more than non-traveling households. In 2012, the median household income for domestic leisure travelers was $62,500. For business travelers, the median household income was $87,500. This compares to $52,800 for the general U.S. population.

7. Trip planning sources have shifted over the last several years, with social media and mobile devices being used more often. In 2012, nearly one-quarter (23%) of domestic leisure travelers relied on friends and relatives to plan their trips, while three in ten (31%) utilized their own past experiences. One in ten used destination websites, nine percent used traveler provider websites (airline, hotel, rental car, cruise, tours, etc.), five percent used social networking and four percent used a mobile device to help plan their trip.

8. Compared to 2009, only two percent used social networking sources and one percent used their mobile device to assist in trip planning. Direct experiences and destination websites were relied on slightly more in 2009 than in 2012.

* China:

China was closed to foreign tourism between 1949 and 1974 during the rule of Mao Zedong. Deng Xiaoping decided to develop China’s tourism in the late 1970’s as a way of earning foreign exchange.

[ Wikipedia “Tourism in China” ]

In 2010, China ranked as the world’s third leading travel destination (with 55.98 million visitors)—behind only France (78.95 million) and the U.S. (60.88 million).

[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia “World Tourism Rankings” ]

China will be the world’s leading travel destination around 2016-2018, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia “World Tourism Rankings” ]

China is expected to be the world’s largest source of outbound tourists by 2020—accounting for about 100 million trips a year.


The number of Chinese traveling outside the country rose to 54% from 2005 to 2009 (to 47.7 million)…and “they spent more than French, Japanese or Canadian travelers.”

[U.N. World Tourism Organization; Time Mag. “Your Next Job: Made in India or China” March 17, 2011 ]

Before 2003, Turkey and Egypt were the only non-Asia-Pacific destinations that Chinese citizens were only allowed to travel for leisure.

[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010 ]

Today, Chinese tourists are approved to travel to over 100 outbound destinations.


Chinese tourists have only been able to travel to the U.S. since 2008.


The Chinese government urges outbound Chinese tourists to mind their manners. “Chinese tourists know they are more coveted for their money than loved in Europe,” according to the Economist. “Several times in the past few years the Spiritual Civilization Steering Committee of the country’s Communist Party has issued chivvying circulars calling on Chinese tourists to avoid queue-jumping, loudness or haggling in shops with fixed prices.”

[The Economist “A new Grand Tour” Dec. 16, 2010 ]

In 2004, Chinese tourists spent more than US$19.1 billion on overseas travel.


Chinese tourists reserve more than a third of their holiday budgets for shopping, according to estimates by a 2008 study by the European Travel Commission.


For Chinese tourists “excitement and acquisition are prized over pleasant, relaxing experiences.” While they value European luxury, they “just aren’t so interested in luxurious hotels and lavish meals. Coming from a newly affluent, increasingly unequal society, they have a strong preference for the accumulation of material goods.’”


In 2008, Chinese tourists passed all other nationalities as the biggest shoppers in France, according to a survey by the French government.

[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010

In 2010, Chinese tourists became the world’s top tax-free shoppers in Europe—taking the top spot from Russian tourists. Chinese travelers spent 744 Euros on average, doubling the 368 Euros spent by Russians.

[ Data from Global Blue, a Switzerland-based shopping services provider ]

Chinese tourists to the U.S. spend more than visitors from any other country, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The nearly 500,000 Chinese tourists in 2008 spent an average of $7,200 each on accommodation, air travel, dining, shopping and gambling.

[ Ad Age “Chinese Tourists to U.S. Come Often, Stay a Long Time and Spend Heavily” Oct. 28, 2009 ]

Vietnam:

Vietnamese travel and tourism witnesses overall better performance

In 2013, in general, many major travel and tourism categories such as tourism flows domestic, tourism flows inbound, tourism flows outbound and travel retail recorded stronger value growth compared to 2012. The better performance of travel and tourism was thanks to the Vietnamese economic recovery as well as the continuous marketing and advertising activities from key players such as Vietnam Airlines Corp. Although consumers were still careful in spending, promotions and discounts created high consumer demand and need for travelling. As such, the industry was able to maintain its strong performance in 2013.

State-owned players lead the industry

The Vietnamese government managed heavily the travel and tourism industry over the review period. With strong government support, state-owned companies such as Vietnam Airlines Corp and SaigonTourist Holding Co retained their leading position in transportation and travel accommodation respectively in 2013. However, over the review period, the industry saw a rising number of small and medium travel service operators that were able to create considerable attention from Vietnamese people such as Vietjet Aviation JSC.

Strong growth occurring in online value sales

In 2013, more Vietnamese people, particularly young professionals, adopted a habit of purchasing travel services and products on the internet. This rising trend was as a result of improvement in the banking system and services as well as increasing popularity of the internet in the country. Furthermore, the increasingly busy working lifestyle in cities such as Ho Chi Minh also contributed to strong growth of online value sales in travel and tourism in 2013.

Vietnamese government constantly promotes travel and tourism by various activities

Since 2003, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has organised Vietnam National Tourism Year – an annual special programme. One province in Vietnam is chosen to host this special event every year. This governmental programme is considered as a way to promote Vietnam’s tourism worldwide as well as to attract high attention from both domestic and international tourists. Besides Vietnam National Tourism Year, the Vietnamese government also organises international events such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Competition to attract more tourists to visit Vietnam.

A positive outlook is seen for Vietnam’s tourism industry

Travel and tourism in Vietnam is expected to record continuous good performance during the forecast period. Rising disposable incomes and improving living standards will be strong contributing factors, as travelling becomes more affordable for more people. According to the development plan for Vietnamese tourism until 2020, the Vietnamese government will designate travel and tourism as one of the most significant industries in Vietnam. As such, the government is likely to have many plans and policies to improve travel products and services not only in value sales and number of trips but also in the quality of services and infrastructure.

Top 10 International Visitors in Vietnam[edit]

Data Source: Ministry of Culture, Sport & Tourism [3]

Ran

kCountry 2014 2013 2012 2011

1 China 1,947,2361,907,79

41,428,693 1,416,804

2 South Korea 847,958 748,727 700,917 536,408

3 Japan 647,956 604,050 576,386 481,519

4 United States 443,776 432,228 443,826 439,872

5 Cambodia 404,159 342,347 331,939 423,440

6 Taiwan 388,998 398,990 409,385 361,051

Ran

kCountry 2014 2013 2012 2011

7 Russia 364,873 298,126 174,287 N/A

8 Malaysia 332,994 339,510 299,041 233,132

9 Australia 321,089 319,636 289,844 289,762

10 Thailand 246,874 268,968 225,866 181,820

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