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 Travel & Outdoors | January 2008 
Las Vegas & Caribbean Cruising Still Tops In Travel Trends
 Nate Leaf - KY3.com
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| | Las Vegas still comes up aces as the top domestic destination for the sixth consecutive year. |
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates has unveiled the 2008 results of their annual Travel Trends Survey in which several surprises emerged.
On the international front, Mediterranean cruising leaped past favorites such as London, England; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and several Mexican locations to take the #5 spot among international destinations.
While Las Vegas still comes up aces as the top domestic destination for the sixth consecutive year, Washington D.C. made the most impressive jump - up seven spots to #8 - and Kauai moved up five spots to #9.
Conducted November 26-December 19, 2007, the 2008 Travel Trends Survey includes responses from a record 555 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate owners, managers and frontline travel experts throughout the United States - equivalent to more than one completed survey for every single location in the network.
"This year, more than ever, we're seeing some exciting shifts in the travel patterns of our clients," stated Roger E. Block, CTC, executive vice president of the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Division. "Obviously consumers are still finding value in traveling to Europe, whether it's a Mediterranean cruise, various Italian cities or even London and Paris if planned through the guiding hand of our value-conscious agents. Seven of the Top 20 international destinations are European - meaning Carlson Wagonlit Travel experts are using their considerable skills and resources to help travelers looking for solutions on how best to stretch their dollars as far as possible."
"Alaska is another bright spot in the travel landscape - particularly for cruising. For the first time ever in this survey, Alaska ranks as the top cruise destination being booked so far for the New Year, beating out its Caribbean competitors," Block noted. "Whether it's the vast wilderness of Alaska or the hidden gems in Eastern Europe and Central America - the top two 'emerging destination' regions in this year's survey - the fact that over 82 percent of our travel professionals told us their bookings are equal to or greater than this time last year means the public is not sacrificing travel. They're seeking out our experts to help make their dreams a reality."
When asked to forecast the five most popular U.S. destinations for 2008 based on actual bookings to date, agent experts reported that Las Vegas retains its hold on the #1 spot with 71.5 percent, while Orlando was the bridesmaid for the 6th year in a row. Internationally, Caribbean cruising and Cancun, Mexico, deliver the 1-2 punch for the second straight year among the most popular international "destinations."
In fact, Caribbean cruising has been named as the top international "destination" for five straight years. |
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