Top U.S. Vacation Destinations for 2009
A survey of the travel experts at Travel Leaders (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates) placed Las Vegas, Nev., at the top of the list of the 10 most popular domestic destinations for U.S. travelers.
While Las Vegas has retained the number one position for seven years in a row, the desert playground lost a bit of its edge over Orlando, Fla., as the top leisure travel destination in the country. Maui, Hawaii, at number three, and Honolulu, Hawaii, at number four, switched the positions they held in the 2008 survey.
The fifth through eighth most popular domestic destinations – New York City, N.Y.; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Washington, D.C. – maintained their positions from the 2008 survey.
Two American cities – San Francisco, Calif., at number nine and Chicago, Ill., at number 10 – surged into the top 10, displacing Kauai, Hawaii, and Miami, Fla. Chicago made a spectacular gain of 10 places after ranking at number 20 in the 2008 Travel Trends Survey. More than a little renewed interest in the Windy City comes from its status as the dynamic hometown of President-Elect Barack Obama. During 2009, visitors to Chicago can enjoy festivities associated with the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln; experience “The Aztec World” exclusively at the Field Museum; or take in the world premiere of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Wherever you travel in the U.S. during 2009, consult with a travel professional to be sure that you receive the greatest possible value for your vacation dollars. Travel professionals not only simplify your vacation planning, but can provide lots of ideas and tips for maximizing your travel dollars, including for upscale accommodations and packages.
Travel Leaders’ 2009 Travel Trends Survey was conducted November 20 through December 15. It includes responses from 547 Travel Leaders owners, managers and frontline travel experts throughout the United States.
Caribbean Cruises, Mexico Rank High as International Destinations
The excellent value provided by a cruise vacation, combined with the beauty of the Caribbean, makes Caribbean cruises the most popular international vacation for U.S. travelers in 2009. That’s according to the 2009 Travel Trends Survey conducted by Travel Leaders (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates).
Caribbean cruises, which have ranked first every year since 2004, slightly widened its lead over the second most popular international destination: Cancun, Mexico. Still, Mexico made a strong showing in the 2009 survey: three of the top five international destinations, and five of the top 10, are in Mexico. In addition to Cancun, the entire Riviera Maya ranked third; Puerto Vallarta ranked fourth; Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos ranked ninth; and Mexico Cruises ranked tenth.
Filling out the top 10 are Mediterranean Cruises at number 5; Montego Bay, Jamaica, number 6; Rome, Italy, number 7; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, number 8; and London, England, in a tie with Mexico Cruises at number 10.
The survey had some notable results outside the top 10, too. European River Cruises made an amazing 40 spot jump, from number 66 in the 2008 survey to number 17 in 2009. These unique cruises provide a wonderful way to experience cities in the heart of Europe with attractions and scenery not accessible to ocean-going cruise ships.
Growing interest in travel to China was also evident in the 2009 survey. Beijing, showcased by the 2008 Olympics, rose two spots to number 16. Shanghai, another city that hosted Olympic events, jumped 11 spots to number 19.
To assure the best value and accommodations for international travel, it’s always helpful to plan early. Talk with your travel professional soon about your plans for an international vacation during 2009.
Travel Leaders’ 2009 Travel Trends Survey was conducted November 20 through December 15. It includes responses from 547 Travel Leaders owners, managers and frontline travel experts from coast to coast.
A Healthy New Year’s Resolution: Travel More in 2009
Americans have always valued their vacation time, so it may surprise you that about a third of employed Americans do not take all of the vacation time they earn. One study, by Management Recruiters International, found that 47 percent of U.S. executives wouldn’t use all their vacation time. Another, by Oxford Health Plans, Inc., showed that one in five people report feeling so overworked that they are unable to use all of their vacation time.
Employees may believe that their workloads prevent taking a longer vacation, or that their status at work will suffer. However, a growing body of research provides evidence that vacation time carries an important benefit that can’t be overlooked: it’s good for your health.
One study found that women who took a vacation once every six years or less were nearly eight times more likely to develop coronary heart disease, or to have a heart attack, than women who took at least two vacations a year. Another study found that men at high risk for coronary heart disease who failed to take an annual vacation had a 21 percent higher risk of death.
The length of a vacation is important, too. A recent study found that it usually takes people at least two or three days of vacation to achieve an average of an hour more of quality sleep than they get at home.
And, you may realize the full health benefits of a vacation only if you resist the urge to take work along with you or to check your e-mail and voice mail. Inserting work time into a vacation can prevent you from having enough carefree time to unwind completely. If you know you won’t be able to resist checking in with work, there’s an easy solution – select a destination that has no cell phone or Internet service.
Remember that planning a vacation can be somewhat stressful in itself, especially if you are going somewhere you haven’t visited before. To eliminate that stress, work with a travel professional, who will make vacation planning headache-free by helping with everything from destination selection to arrangements for travel insurance, shipping your luggage ahead and tracking any changes to your reservations. Travel professionals can also work for you during your trip in the event a problem arises.
Finally, assure your manager that you’ll return from vacation truly refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to be more productive than ever.
A Taste of the Inauguration, Across the Country
Come January 20, Washington, D.C., will see record throngs of enthusiastic Inauguration Day crowds. If you want to feel the excitement of the presidential inauguration but don’t want to pay a premium for travel and lodging in D.C., there are other options for travel during Inauguration Week or even later in the year. They include:
New York City, N.Y., where the inauguration of the first U.S. president took place in 1789. The Big Apple served as the first United States Capital. George Washington was inaugurated at Federal Hall on Wall Street, which also served as the first capitol of the U.S. Federal Hall is now a national memorial and museum that commemorates the many historic events that took place there. You’ll also want to see St. Paul’s Chapel, where Washington attended services during the two years that New York served as the seat of the U.S. government.
Philadelphia, Pa., where both George Washington (in his second term) and John Adams were inaugurated at Congress Hall. As America’s second capitol, this building served as the seat of the U.S. Congress from 1790 until 1800. It’s just one of many noteworthy revolutionary-era buildings in Philadelphia: there’s also the Betsy Ross House, Carpenters Hall, Christ Church and Independence Hall, where the Liberty Bell was rung.
Chicago, Ill., the home of President-Elect Barack Obama and his family. One Web site for Chicago visitors provides a list of some of the Obama family’s favorite places in the Windy City, including the restaurants Topolobampo on North Clark Street, Sepia in the West Loop and R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park. Michelle Obama often wears clothes from Chicago designer Maria Pinto, and you can browse her fashions at the Maria Pinto Boutique in the West Loop.
Honolulu, Hawaii, where Obama was born and spent much of his childhood. Obama attended high school at the private Punahou School, played checkers at Alii Park and went spear fishing in Kailua Bay. More recently, he’s been spotted body surfing at Sandy Beach. You’ll also want to visit sites that are important in U.S. history, including Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where Obama’s grandfather is buried.
For more ideas about adding an inaugural touch to your vacation travel this year, talk with your travel professional.
Good Health and Good Looks While Traveling this Winter
Road warriors need the confidence that comes from looking and feeling good. Unfortunately, long hours on the road combined with chilly winter weather can make it difficult to look and feel your best every day. Here are some ideas to help you stay healthy and look fresh while meeting with business partners and clients in the winter months.
Keep up a fitness routine. Pack a pair of sweat pants, a t-shirt and athletic shoes so you can use your hotel’s fitness center. If you like walking, head to the nearest mall in the evening to walk a mile or two in indoor comfort. Or, pack your favorite workout video for use in the privacy of your hotel room.
Bring along some medication. Carry some pain reliever and cold medication with you so you won’t have to run around searching for a pharmacy if you do come down with a sniffle.
Use hand sanitizer. Carry a small bottle of liquid hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently. (If you’re flying, remember to pack your three-ounce or less bottle of hand sanitizer in a clear, quart-size plastic bag with all other carry-on liquids and gels.)
Take care of your skin. Use a moisturizer every day on your face and hands to fight the drying effects of cold winter air. For female travelers, it’s a good idea to invest in a good-quality make-up corrector stick, too – it can do wonders to disguise under-eye circles or a red nose.
Drink water. Choose to drink plenty of water during flights, during meetings and with your meals to keep yourself, and your skin, well hydrated.
Get a good night’s sleep. If you need to, ask for a quieter room at your hotel including those far from the elevator and without an adjacent room door. Request an extra pillow, adjust the room temperature, bring an eye mask from home – basically, do whatever it takes to ensure that you’ll be comfortable and able to get a solid night of sleep each night that you’re on the road. Your travel agent should also be able to recommend hotels that cater specifically to business travelers.