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2003 PROFILE OF U.S. RESIDENT TRAVELER VISITING OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS REPORTED FROM: SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS
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Posted December 2004
   Download data (.csv)
U.S. RESIDENT TRAVELERS TO OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS: (1)
  All U.S. Travelers
Total Number of Travelers** 24,452,000
Region/State/City of Residence  
New England 8%
Massachusetts 4%

Boston

2%

Connecticut

3%
Middle Atlantic 28%

New York

19%

New York City

13%

Nassau

4%

New Jersey

6%

Newark

2%

Pennsylvania

3%

Philadelphia

2%
East North Central 9%

Illinois

4%

Chicago

3%

Michigan

2%

Ohio

2%
West North Central 2%
South Atlantic 21%

Florida

10%

Ft. Lauderdale

2%

Miami

4%

D.C. Metro Area

5%

Virginia

4%

Maryland

3%

North Carolina

2%
East South Central 2%
West South Central 7%
Texas 5%
Mountain 5%

Colorado

2%
Pacific 20%

California

17%

Los Angeles

3%

San Francisco

3%

San Jose

2%

Oakland

2%

Washington

2%

Region/state and city estimates are only listed if they comprise at least 2% of the 24,452,000 U.S. residents visiting overseas destinations in 2004.

NOTE: Percentages listed in this profile can be converted into estimated numbers by multiplying the percentage by 24,452,000 (total U.S. Residents visiting overseas destinations), 19,782,000 (80.9% Leisure/Visit Friends/Relatives) and 7,018,000 (28.7% Business/Convention).

    U.S. RESIDENT TRAVELER
    CHARACTERISTICS: All U.S. Travelers For Leisure & VFP For Business & Conv.
    Total Number of Travelers ** 24,452,000 19,782,000 7,018,000
    Advance Trip Decision:
    Average Number of Days 80.4 89.9 45.8
    Median Number of Days 60.0 60.0 30.0
    Advance Airline Reservation:
    Average Number of Days 49.3 55.9 26.1
    Median Number of Days 30.0
    30.0 15.0
    Means of Booking Air Trip:
    Travel Agent 42% 42% 43%
    Airline Directly 21% 24% 15%
    Personal Computer 20% 23% 12%
    Company Travel Department 8% 3% 26%
    Tour Operator 3% 3% 2%
    Information Sources*:
    Travel Agency
    40% 38% 43%
    Personal Computer 33% 36% 25%
    Airline 26% 27% 24%
    Friends, Relatives 15% 18% 6%
    Company Travel Dept. 8% 3% 25%
    Travel Guides/Timetables 6% 7% 3%
    Tour Company 4% 5% 2%
    Newspapers/Magazines 2% 3% 1%
    State/City Travel Office 2% 2% 1%
    Use of Prepaid Package:
    Yes 13% 15% 4%
    No 88% 85% 97%
    Pre-Booked Lodging*:
    Responded - Yes 55% 51% 71%
    Sources for Booking Lodging*:
    Travel Agent 18% 18% 18%
    Hotel/Motel 10% 11% 10%
    Company Travel Dept. 7% 3% 22%
    Friend/Relative 5% 6% 3%
    Tour Operator 5% 5% 2%
    Business Associate 4% 2% 13%
    Travel Companions*:
    Traveling Alone 41% 35% 62%
    Spouse 31% 37% 15%
    Family/Relatives 24% 28% 8%
    Friends 12% 13% 4%
    Business Associates 5% 1% 15%
    Tour Group 2% 2% 1%
    Travel Party Size: (persons)
    Adults Only 93% 91% 98%
    Adults and Children 8% 10% 2%
    Average Party Size 1.5 1.6 1.3
    Median Party Size 1.0 1.0 1.0
    Main Purpose of Trip:
    Leisure/Recreation/Holidays 39% 49% 6%
    Visit Friends/Relatives 31% 39% 7%
    Business 22% 8% 78%
    Study/Teaching 3% 2% 1%
    Convention/Conference 2% 1% 7%
    Purpose of Trip*:
    Leisure/Recreation/Holidays 56% 70% 26%
    Visit Friends/Relatives 44% 54% 22%
    Business 27% 14% 93%
    Study/Teaching 5% 4% 4%
    Convention/Conference 4% 2% 13%
    Religion/Pilgrimages 2% 2% 1%
    Type of Accommodations*:
    Hotel, Motel 66% 62% 81%

    Average Number of Nights

    8.6 8.5 8.3

    Median Number of Nights

    6.0 7.0 6.0
    Private Home 42% 48% 27%

    Average Number of Nights

    17.3 16.1 16.6

    Median Number of Nights

    10.0 11.0 8.0
    Other 6% 6% 5%

    Mean Number of Nights

    16.7 12.6 16.0

    Median Number of Nights

    7.0 7.0 6.0
    Nights Outside the U.S.:
    Average Number of Nights 15.9 15.8 14.2
    Median Number of Nights 10.0 10.0 8.0
    First International Trip:
    First Time Visitors 9% 10% 4%
    Repeat Visitors 91% 90% 96%
    Number of International Trips in Past 12 Months:
    Mean Number of Trips 2.9 2.3 4.8
    Median Number of Trips 2.0 1.0 3.0
    Number of International Trips in Past 5 Years:
    Mean Number of Trips 11.5 9.0 20.2
    Median Number of Trips 6.0 5.0 12.0
    Number of Countries Visited*:
    One Country 83% 84% 76%
    Two Countries 12% 11% 17%
    Three or More Countries 6% 6% 7%
    Average (Countries) 1.3 1.3 1.4
    Median (Countries) 1.0 1.0 1.0
    Number of Destinations Visited*:
    One Destination 61% 60% 57%
    Two Destinations 22% 22% 25%
    Three or More Destinations 17% 19% 18%
    Average (No. of Destinations) 1.7 1.8 1.7
    Median (No. of Destinations) 1.0 1.0 1.0
    Transportation Outside the U.S.*:
    Taxi/Cab/Limousine 47% 44% 60%
    Airline between Cities 35% 34% 41%
    Company or Private Auto 28% 29% 27%
    City Subway/Tram/Bus 21% 22% 21%
    Rented Auto 19% 20% 18%
    Railroad between Cities 18% 18% 17%
    Bus between Cities 12% 14% 7%
    Port-of-Entry:
    New York City 22% 24% 16%
    San Francisco 11% 10% 15%
    Miami 11% 11% 9%
    Chicago 7% 6% 7%
    Los Angeles 6% 6% 9%
    Washington, D.C. 6% 6% 9%
    Newark 5% 5% 5%
    Atlanta 3% 3% 4%
    Houston 3% 3% 3%
    Dallas/Ft. Worth 3% 3% 4%
    Boston 3% 2% 4%
    Philadelphia 2% 2% 3%
    Charlotte, NC 2% 3% 1%
    International Destinations Visited*:
    Europe 42% 41% 50%
    Western Europe 40% 39% 47%

    United Kingdom

    13% 12% 20%

    France

    8% 8% 8%

    Italy

    7% 7% 5%

    Germany

    6% 6% 9%

    Spain

    4% 4% 3%

    Netherlands

    3% 4% 4%

    Switzerland

    3% 2% 3%

    Ireland

    2% 2% 2%

    Austria

    2% 2% 2%
    Eastern Europe 4% 4% 4%

    Caribbean

    22% 24% 9%

    Jamaica

    6% 7% 3%

    Bahamas

    6% 7% 2%

    Dominican Republic

    4% 4% 1%
    South America 8% 8% 8%

    Brazil

    3% 2% 4%
    Central America 7% 7% 5%

    Costa Rica

    2% 2% 1%
    Africa 2% 2% 3%
    Middle East 3% 3% 4%
    Asia 16% 15% 23%

    Japan

    4% 4% 7%

    P.R. of China

    2% 2% 4%

    Republic of Korea (South)

    2% 2% 4%

    Hong Kong

    2% 2% 3%

    Republic of China (Taiwan)

    2% 2% 4%

    India

    2% 2% 2%
    Oceania 3% 4% 4%

    Australia

    2% 2% 3%
    Leisure/Recreational Activities*:
    Dining in Restaurants 86% 86% 91%
    Shopping 75% 79% 67%
    Visit Historical Places 49% 54% 38%
    Sightseeing in Cities 41% 46% 30%
    Visit Small Towns/Villages 41% 46% 26%
    Touring the Countryside 34% 39% 21%
    Cultural Heritage Sights 30% 34% 20%
    Art Gallery, Museum 27% 30% 20%
    Water Sports/Sunbathing 25% 30% 12%
    Nightclub/ Dancing 24% 26% 17%
    Guided Tours 16% 18% 8%
    Concert, Play, Musical 13% 15% 10%
    Ethnic Heritage Sites 12% 13% 7%
    Amusement/Theme Parks 10% 11% 6%
    Visit National Parks 10% 11% 6%
    Casinos/Gambling 9% 10% 4%
    Golf/Tennis 7% 7% 7%
    Environmental/Ecological Sights 6% 7% 4%
    Camping, Hiking 5% 6% 3%
    Cruises, 1 or More Nights 5% 5% 2%
    Attend Sporting Events 4% 4% 4%
    Hunting/Fishing 3% 4% 2%
    Ranch Vacations 2% 2% 1%
    Average Total Trip Expenditures:
    Per Travel Party $4,072 $3,548 $5,117
    Per Visitor $2,683 $2,203 $4,071
    Average International Airfare:
    Per Travel Party $1,940 $1,430 $2,828
    Per Visitor $1,335 $927 $2,287
    Average Package Price:
    Per Travel Party $4,175 $4,153 -
    Per Visitor $1,916 $1,894 -
    Average Expenditures Outside the U.S.:
    Per Travel Party $1,830 $1,756 $2,082
    Per Visitor $1,206 $1,090 $1,656
    Per Visitor Per Day $76 $69 $116
    Trip Payment Method
    Credit Cards 56% 51% 71%
    Cash 34% 37% 22%
    Debit Cards 6% 7% 4%
    Travelers Checks 4% 5% 2%
    Main factor in Airline Choice:
    Airfare 29% 31% 19%
    Convenient Schedule 17% 15% 24%
    Mile Bonus/Frequent Flier Program 17% 17% 17%
    Non-Stop Flight 12% 13% 10%
    Previous Good Experience 7% 7% 8%
    Safety Reputation 4% 5% 3%
    Loyalty to Carrier 4% 4% 6%
    Employer Policy 3% 2% 8%
    Type of Airline Ticket*:
    Economy/Tourist/Coach 70% 74% 55%
    Executive/Business 14% 10% 30%
    Frequent Flier Award 9% 10% 4%
    Frequent Flier Upgrade 5% 4% 9%
    First Class 5% 3% 9%
    Discount/Group Fare 2% 2% 1%
    Non-Revenue 2% 2% 1%
    Seating Area on Flight:
    Economy/Tourist/Coach 74% 80% 52%
    Executive/Business 19% 15% 35%
    First Class 7% 5% 13%
    Gender and Age of Traveler:
    Male Adults 58% 52% 77%
    Female Adults 42% 48% 23%
    Average Age of Male (years) 45.7 45.7 45.8
    Average Age of Female (years) 43.1 43.4 43.0
    Occupation:
    Professional/Technical 38% 38% 40%
    Manager/Executive 28% 23% 48%
    Retired 11% 13% 2%
    Student 7% 8% 2%
    Homemaker 5% 6% 1%
    Clerical/Sales 5% 5% 2%
    Craftsman/Factory Worker 3% 3% 1%
    Government/Military 2% 2% 2%
    Annual Household Income:
    Average $112,100 $106,200 $134,200
    Median $101,200 $94,400 $128,600

    * Multiple Response

    ** NOTE: Percentages listed in this profile can be converted into estimated numbers by multiplying the percentage by 24,452,000 (total U.S. Residents visiting overseas destinations), 19,782,000 (80.9% Leisure/Visit Friends/Relatives) and 7,018,000 (28.7% Business/Convention).

    Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, ITA, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, "In-Flight Survey,"

    December 2004