World Cup and Wallet Friendly Destinations Drive North American Travel Trends

    


    
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<p>DUBLIN, <span class="xn-chron">June 24</span> /CNW/ -- World cup and wallet friendly destinations are the deciding factors for travel decisions of North Americans in 2010 according to data* released by Hostelworld.com, the leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market. Hostelworld.com revealed that destinations in Asia are experiencing significant growth in bookings compared to the same time period last year, while select cities in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> are also seeing an increase in visitors. The World Cup is also resulting in a surge of bookings in <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span>.</p>
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    World Cup Fever!
    
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<p><span class="xn-location">South Africa</span> is seeing the largest increase in travel bookings in 2010, largely as a result of the growing popularity of the World Cup among the North American audience. Compared to 2009, U.S. bookings to <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span> have increased by a tremendous 596%. Equally impressive, Canadian bookings to <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span> have increased by 550% during the same time frame.</p>
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    More Bang for Your Buck!
    
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<p>Outside of <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span>, Asia dominates the destination landscape in 2010 for North Americans.   As travelers gravitate toward wallet-friendly destinations with favorable exchange rates, locations across Asia are reaping the benefits.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">China</span> experienced a surge in bookings by U.S. customers compared to the same period in 2009, with <span class="xn-location">Shanghai</span> and <span class="xn-location">Hong Kong</span> bookings up 73 percent and 34 percent, respectively.   <span class="xn-location">Bangkok</span> and <span class="xn-location">Beijing</span> also saw an increase in bookings over 2009 numbers with increases of 28 percent and 22 percent, respectively.</p>
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<p>Canadian travelers mimicked their U.S. counterparts by increasing in travel to Asia.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">Shanghai</span> saw an 84 percent rise in Hostelworld.com, with <span class="xn-location">Kuala Lumpur</span> experiencing a 26 percent increase. <span class="xn-location">Istanbul</span> and <span class="xn-location">Bangkok</span> followed with growth of 24 percent and 21 percent, respectively.</p>
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    There's No Place Like Home
    
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<p>It appears that many North Americans are staying closer to home, proving that "staycations" continue to be an attractive vacation option, as both U.S. and Canadian vacationers have increased travel to destinations across <span class="xn-location">North America</span>.</p>
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<p>Popular North American destinations for U.S. travelers include <span class="xn-location">New Orleans</span>, where bookings were up by 45 percent, and <span class="xn-location">San Jose</span>, which has seen a 42 percent rise in bookings. New York and <span class="xn-location">Miami</span> remain popular vacation destinations up 30 percent and 28 percent, respectively.</p>
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<p>Again, Canadian travelers followed the lead of their U.S. neighbors and stayed close to home, increasing their travel to popular North American destinations such as <span class="xn-location">Miami</span>, up 35 percent, <span class="xn-location">San Jose</span>, up 33 percent and <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span>, up 29 percent.</p>
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<p>"The economy and the World Cup appear to be the two biggest factors influencing travel plans in 2010," said Hostelworld.com spokesperson Aisling White. "North American travelers are choosing to stay close to home to lessen their travel expenses or they are heading to select destinations in Asia where their dollar can stretch further. It's also evident that interest in the World Cup is growing in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span>, as trips to <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span> have exploded in popularity."</p>
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    * All data is compiled from Hostelworld.com bookings, YTD 2009 to YTD 2010


    About Hostelworld.com
    
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<p>The global market leader for 10 years, Hostelworld.com is the leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market. It offers confirmed online reservations for over 24,000 hostels and budget hotels in 186 countries worldwide.</p>
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<p>The site also offers budget travelers Travel Services, over 3 million user reviews, free travel videos, podcasts, customized city guides, a travel social network and more.</p>
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<p>Hostelworld.com is headquartered in Dublin and is fully owned and operated by Web Reservations International Ltd (WRI)</p>
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