BELLEVUE, Wash., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Expedia.com®
released the results of the 2017 Expedia® Flip Flop
Report1, a global study that explores cultural
differences in beach attitudes and behaviors across 17 countries
from around the globe. The results are an enlightening and
entertaining look at what goes into a beach vacation, including the
most popular destinations, which countries' residents don the most
risqué beach attire, and what behaviors will get you banned from
the sand.
Americans Go Domestic
As Americans gear up to celebrate our nation's independence this
weekend, it seems fitting that most Americans look no further than
home soil when planning a beach vacation. Amongst the biggest
factors are the clean, safe beaches, great weather and minimal
travel time compared to international destinations, with
Florida, California and Hawaii boasting the most popular beaches in
the country. However, younger Americans were twice as likely as
Americans 35 years and older to have traveled further abroad to
find the sand and sun, naming Mexico, Brazil and Australia as prominent vacation spots. Across
all ages, the top 10 beach holiday destinations for American
respondents are:
- United States (other) – 43
percent
- Florida – 35 percent
- California – 29 percent
- Hawaii – 22 percent
- Mexico – 18 percent
- Aruba – 13 percent
- Puerto Rico – 10 percent
- Brazil – 9 percent
- Jamaica – 7 percent
- Australia – 7 percent
"Beach vacations have an almost universal appeal, and year after
year we see people flocking to destinations like Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean," said Sarah
Gavin, vice president of global communications, Expedia.com.
"The flight time is quick from many parts of the U.S., and when
booked as a package on Expedia.com, travelers can find huge savings
of up to $1,1002 – great
news if you're in need of some sand and sun before summer
ends."
Americans Spend the Most Time and Money Getting Beach
Ready
This year's report looked at how travelers prepare for
upcoming beach holidays – from dieting and wellness to getting
pampered at the salon. Globally, beachgoers begin their readiness
routines an average of 40 days in advance of a trip, and more than
a quarter (29 percent) of Americans spend more time packing than on
vacation.
The biggest budget busters are Americans, who spend around 15
percent more than the global average on things like shopping and
salon visits in preparation for their beach holidays, and 53
percent more on the actual vacation, with the most money spent on
accommodations.
The Slob Continues Reign as Public Beach Enemy Number
One
For two years running, the best way to anger your fellow
beach-goers is to leave a trail of garbage in your wake, growing in
unpopularity by 17 percent this year. The Sand-flinger also saw a
boost in 2017, moving up four slots to overtake The Loud Mouth for
a position in the top three. According to this year's report, the
most annoying beach behaviors for Americans are:
- The Slob – 65 percent
- The Inattentive Parent - 52 percent
- The Sand-flinger – 49 percent
- The Boozer - 49 percent
- The DJ - 45 percent
- The Encroacher - 45 percent
- The Loud Mouth – 39 percent
- The Paparazzi - 38 percent
- The Fisherman - 36 percent
- The Ogler - 34 percent
Beach Fear Factors
More than 80 percent of Americans
surveyed have been on a beach vacation and nearly all of them
reported they enjoyed it, but there are still some scenarios that
worry even the most avid beachgoer. Globally, theft was the
most-dreaded occurrence, with 70 percent of worldwide respondents
listing fear of having something stolen as a major concern. And
while globally, more than half of the respondents were nervous
about shark attacks (60 percent) and murky water (63 percent), for
Americans specifically, the quality of the hotel (61 percent) and
the high price of food and drink (60 percent) were the top two
worries.
Nude Sunbathing Still Unlikely to Catch on in the
U.S.
Like last year, nearly 70 percent of Americans reported
they were "somewhat or very uncomfortable" with nudity at the
beach, ranking thong-style swimwear for men (61 percent) and
mankinis (58 percent) close behind in terms of disapproval ratings.
Compared to the global average (29 percent), respondents from
Spain (53 percent) and
Germany (47 percent) are the most
liberal on going bare. Meanwhile, the global attitude about speedos
for men is becoming increasingly tolerant, deemed acceptable by
more than 70 percent of respondents, an eight percent increase over
last year.
For more information and revelations from the 2017 Flip Flop
Report, visit the Expedia Viewfinder blog.
1Survey Methodology
This study was
conducted on behalf of Expedia by Lonergan Research, a boutique
research and consultancy firm. This survey was conducted online in
May 2017 across North America, Europe, South
America and Asia Pacific.
The study was conducted amongst 15,363 respondents aged 18+, across
17 countries (USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New
Zealand, Japan,
South Korea, India and Thailand). This project was conducted among
members of a permission-based panel. Sampling quotas were used and
after interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population
estimates to ensure the sample was representative of each country's
population in terms of age and gender.
2Based on package savings data from March 1, 2016—August 31, 2016; POSa:
Expedia.com
About Expedia.com
Expedia.com® is one of the world's
largest full service travel sites, helping millions of travelers
per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com
(https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the
latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation
destinations, cheap tickets, hotel deals, car rentals, destination
weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions,
services and travel apps. With the Expedia® Best Price Guarantee,
Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for
all types of travel.
Expedia, Expedia.com, Expedia+, Find Yours, Vacation Deprivation
and the Airplane logo are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the
property of their respective owners © 2017 Expedia, Inc. All rights
reserved. CST # 2029030-50.
Web site: https://www.expedia.com/
About Lonergan Research
Lonergan Research is a full
service research and consultancy firm, offering both quantitative
and qualitative methodologies to improve organisational performance
through clarity and insights. Lonergan's Content and Communications
Group forms creative partnerships with brands and media
professionals to develop insights-generated content to support
strategic communications campaigns. Lonergan's work includes
organisations and groups within the travel and tourism, retail,
finance, FMCG, pharma/healthcare, government and advocacy sectors.
For more information, please go to www.lonerganresearch.com.au
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SOURCE Expedia.com