The U.S.

Travel Answer Sheet is filled with facts and statistics about leisure,
business and international travel. Download this one-page fact sheet about a
leading American industry that's more than just fun.
U.S. Travel's research department produces a wealth of valuable facts and trend
data, including travel characteristics from the Domestic Travel Market Report. Key
findings include:
1. Fewer adults are traveling with children. In 2012, 26 percent of domestic leisure
travelers traveled with children under the age of 18 (408.5 million trips) compared
with 2008, when 31 percent of adults traveled with children (466.2 million trips).

2. Driving versus flying. In 2012, 33 percent of domestic business trips included air
travel compared to just 11 percent of leisure trips. Nearly eight in ten (79%) leisure
trips were by car compared to less than half (48%) of business trips.

3. Leisure travelers are older than business travelers.

4. The average age of leisure travelers is 47.5 years old. Mature travelers comprise
36 percent of leisure travel volume (18% are 65+, 18% are 55-64). Nearly two in ten
(19%) are 45-55, 17% are 35-44, 20% are 25-34 and 8% are 18-24 years old.

5. The average age for business travelers is 45.9 years old. The majority (26%) are
aged 45-54; 20 percent are 55-64; nearly one quarter (24%) are 35-44; 19 percent
25-34 and four percent 18-24 years of age. Only 7 percent are 65+.

6. Traveling households earn more than non-traveling households. In 2012, the

median household income for domestic leisure travelers was $62,500. For business
travelers, the median household income was $87,500. This compares to $52,800 for
the general U.S. population.

7. Trip planning sources have shifted over the last several years, with social media
and mobile devices being used more often. In 2012, nearly one-quarter (23%) of
domestic leisure travelers relied on friends and relatives to plan their trips, while
three in ten (31%) utilized their own past experiences. One in ten used destination
websites, nine percent used traveler provider websites (airline, hotel, rental car,

cruise, tours, etc.), five percent used social networking and four percent used a
mobile device to help plan their trip.

8. Compared to 2009, only two percent used social networking sources and one
percent used their mobile device to assist in trip planning. Direct experiences and
destination websites were relied on slightly more in 2009 than in 2012.
* China:
China was closed to foreign tourism between 1949 and 1974 during the rule of Mao
Zedong. Deng Xiaoping decided to develop Chinas tourism in the late 1970s as a
way of earning foreign exchange.
[ Wikipedia Tourism in China ]

In 2010, China ranked as the worlds third leading travel destination (with 55.98
million visitors)behind only France (78.95 million) and the U.S. (60.88 million).
[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia World Tourism Rankings ]

China will be the worlds leading travel destination around 2016-2018, according to
the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia World Tourism Rankings ]

China is expected to be the worlds largest source of outbound tourists by 2020

accounting for about 100 million trips a year.
[ Wikipedia Tourism in China ]

The number of Chinese traveling outside the country rose to 54% from 2005 to
2009 (to 47.7 million)and they spent more than French, Japanese or Canadian
travelers.

[U.N. World Tourism Organization; Time Mag. Your Next Job: Made in India or China
March 17, 2011 ]

Before 2003, Turkey and Egypt were the only non-Asia-Pacific destinations that
Chinese citizens were only allowed to travel for leisure.
[ The Financial Times, Chinese travellers change the face of tourism June 8, 2010 ]

Today, Chinese tourists are approved to travel to over 100 outbound destinations.
[ The Financial Times, Chinese travellers change the face of tourism June 8, 2010 ]

Chinese tourists have only been able to travel to the U.S. since 2008.
[ The Financial Times, Chinese travellers change the face of tourism June 8, 2010 ]

The Chinese government urges outbound Chinese tourists to mind their manners.
Chinese tourists know they are more coveted for their money than loved in
Europe, according to the Economist. Several times in the past few years the
Spiritual Civilization Steering Committee of the countrys Communist Party has
issued chivvying circulars calling on Chinese tourists to avoid queue-jumping,
loudness or haggling in shops with fixed prices.
[The Economist A new Grand Tour Dec. 16, 2010 ]

In 2004, Chinese tourists spent more than US$19.1 billion on overseas travel.
[ Wikipedia Tourism in China ]

Chinese tourists reserve more than a third of their holiday budgets for shopping,
according to estimates by a 2008 study by the European Travel Commission.
[The Economist A new Grand Tour Dec. 16, 2010 ]

For Chinese tourists excitement and acquisition are prized over pleasant, relaxing
experiences. While they value European luxury, they just arent so interested in
luxurious hotels and lavish meals. Coming from a newly affluent, increasingly
unequal society, they have a strong preference for the accumulation of material
goods.
[The Economist A new Grand Tour Dec. 16, 2010 ]

In 2008, Chinese tourists passed all other nationalities as the biggest shoppers in
France, according to a survey by the French government.
[ The Financial Times, Chinese travellers change the face of tourism June 8, 2010

In 2010, Chinese tourists became the worlds top tax-free shoppers in Europe
taking the top spot from Russian tourists. Chinese travelers spent 744 Euros on
average, doubling the 368 Euros spent by Russians.
[ Data from Global Blue, a Switzerland-based shopping services provider ]

Chinese tourists to the U.S. spend more than visitors from any other country,
according to the U.S. Travel Association. The nearly 500,000 Chinese tourists in
2008 spent an average of $7,200 each on accommodation, air travel, dining,
shopping and gambling.
[ Ad Age Chinese Tourists to U.S. Come Often, Stay a Long Time and Spend
Heavily Oct. 28, 2009 ]

Vietnam:
Vietnamese travel and tourism witnesses overall better performance
In 2013, in general, many major travel and tourism categories such as tourism flows
domestic, tourism flows inbound, tourism flows outbound and travel retail recorded
stronger value growth compared to 2012. The better performance of travel and
tourism was thanks to the Vietnamese economic recovery as well as the continuous
marketing and advertising activities from key players such as Vietnam Airlines Corp.
Although consumers were still careful in spending, promotions and discounts
created high consumer demand and need for travelling. As such, the industry was
able to maintain its strong performance in 2013.
State-owned players lead the industry
The Vietnamese government managed heavily the travel and tourism industry over
the review period. With strong government support, state-owned companies such as
Vietnam Airlines Corp and SaigonTourist Holding Co retained their leading position in
transportation and travel accommodation respectively in 2013. However, over the
review period, the industry saw a rising number of small and medium travel service
operators that were able to create considerable attention from Vietnamese people
such as Vietjet Aviation JSC.
Strong growth occurring in online value sales
In 2013, more Vietnamese people, particularly young professionals, adopted a habit
of purchasing travel services and products on the internet. This rising trend was as a
result of improvement in the banking system and services as well as increasing
popularity of the internet in the country. Furthermore, the increasingly busy working
lifestyle in cities such as Ho Chi Minh also contributed to strong growth of online
value sales in travel and tourism in 2013.

Vietnamese government constantly promotes travel and tourism by

various activities
Since 2003, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has organised
Vietnam National Tourism Year an annual special programme. One province in
Vietnam is chosen to host this special event every year. This governmental
programme is considered as a way to promote Vietnams tourism worldwide as well
as to attract high attention from both domestic and international tourists. Besides
Vietnam National Tourism Year, the Vietnamese government also organises
international events such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Competition to
attract more tourists to visit Vietnam.
A positive outlook is seen for Vietnams tourism industry
Travel and tourism in Vietnam is expected to record continuous good performance
during the forecast period. Rising disposable incomes and improving living
standards will be strong contributing factors, as travelling becomes more affordable
for more people. According to the development plan for Vietnamese tourism until
2020, the Vietnamese government will designate travel and tourism as one of the
most significant industries in Vietnam. As such, the government is likely to have
many plans and policies to improve travel products and services not only in value
sales and number of trips but also in the quality of services and infrastructure.

Top 10 International Visitors in Vietnam[edit]

Data Source: Ministry of Culture, Sport & Tourism [3]
Rank

Country

2014

2013

2012

2011

China

1,947,236

1,907,794

1,428,693

1,416,804

South Korea

847,958

748,727

700,917

536,408

Japan

647,956

604,050

576,386

481,519

United States

443,776

432,228

443,826

439,872

Cambodia

404,159

342,347

331,939

423,440

Rank

Country

2014

2013

2012

2011

Taiwan

388,998

398,990

409,385

361,051

Russia

364,873

298,126

174,287

N/A

Malaysia

332,994

339,510

299,041

233,132

Australia

321,089

319,636

289,844

289,762

10

Thailand

246,874

268,968

225,866

181,820