• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, June 2, 2009

The Harris Poll of 2,401 U.S. adults surveyed online between April 13 and 21, shows that 35% of Americans are not planning on taking any leisure trips this summer. 77% are anticipating that they will not travel on business in the next four months. But not everyone is planning to stay home...  65% of adults are planning a vacation this summer, including 17% who are anticipating making three or more trips this summer.

Likelihood To Travel For Leisure Or BusinessIn May-August, 2009
	% All U.S. Adults
More Likely To Travel (Net)	8
Much more likely to travel	3
Somewhat more likely to travel	4
No impact on my likelihood to travel	40
Less Likely To Travel (Net)	40
Somewhat less likely to travel	23
Much less likely to travel	18
No plans to travel	12
Source: Harris Interactive, May 2009   (% Rounded)

Many travelers say the shaky economy means their 2009 summer vacation will look different than their 2008 summer getaway:

• Nearly three in ten adults plan on decreasing the number of leisure trips they make by car
• One-third say they will take fewer plane trips for leisure
• Another third will cut the number of weekend trips they take
• Slightly more than one-third will reduce the duration of their vacations
• Nearly half plan to reduce the amount of money they spend on vacation

Change In Number And Duration Of Leisure Trips (vs. May - August 2008; % of Those Who Traveled Last Summer)
Trip Plan	Increase	Remain the Same	Decrease	Not Applicable
Number of leisure trips by car	15%	50%	29%	6%
Number of weekend trips	12	44	34	10
Amount spent on leisure trips	10	40	46	4
Duration of leisure trips	10	51	35	4
Number of leisure trips by plane	9	29	33	30
Source: Harris Interactive, May 2009   (% Rounded)

 Those who are planning a trip this summer will spend an average of $1,629 on their travel. Among those who are planning on reducing the amount of money they spend:

• 60% are hoping to economize their leisure travel this summer by finding less expensive activities or meal options
• 52% will seek out less expensive accommodations or
• 50% will vacation closer to home
• 39% are hoping to reduce travel costs by staying with family and friends instead of at a hotel, by cooking their own meals instead of dining out or by driving instead of flying
• 31% say they will share costs with other family members or friends

Anticipated Travel Leisure + Business Spend (May - August; Spending to include transportation, accommodations, food/beverage, activities, etc)
Planned Expenditures	% Respondents Planning Travel
None	2%
$1-$499	26
$500-$999	24
$1,000-$1,999	23
$2,000-$4,999	17
$5,000+	7
Mean	$1,629
Source: Harris Interactive, May 2009   (% Rounded)

Companies are also altering their summer travel plans due to economic conditions. 22% of  adults say their employer has reduced or eliminated all non-essential travel and 15% work for companies which are encouraging the use of technology (e.g. teleconferencing, video conferencing) to reduce or eliminate travel.

Company Changes In Business Travel Policy Within The Past Year
Planned Change	% Respondents
Reduction or elimination of all "non-essential" travel	22%
Encourage teleconferencing, video conferencing	15
book at hotels/with airlines with preferred rates	11
Encourage day trips	9
Enforce/Establish per-diem meal allowances	7
Book travel through online travel agency	7
Enforce overnight accommodation limits	6
Reduction/Elimination for entertaining clients	6
Share a hotel room/suite	4
Other	3
Not sure	10
I do not travel for business	32
Company has not made changes in travel policy	10
Company does not have travel policy	16
Source: Harris Interactive, May 2009   (% Rounded; Multiple Responses Allowed)

And, from the Creative Group...

Advertising & Marketing Executives Checking In With Work During Vacation
Frequency of Check-In	2009	2006	2001
Several times daily	30%	19%	11%
Once Daily	31	28	27
2-3 times a week	18	27	27
Once a week	13	13	16
Don't check in	8	12	19
Source: The Creative Group, May 2009

Americans are not willing to postpone their summer vacation plans altogether. Because many people intend to stay closer to home for their summer vacations, the report suggests that the travel industry might consider promotions and advertising that reaches out to people in their own cities, states, and regions. Retailers, says the report, may also look to market to larger group activities as people look to reduce vacation costs by sharing costs with family and friends.

For more information, please visit Harris Interactive here.