TripAdvisor(R), the largest travel community in the world, today announced the results of a holiday travel survey of more than 1,600 travelers worldwide.

Best of Times, Worst of Times: Thirty-five percent of travelers said the best part about the holidays is spending time with family, while 22 percent of travelers considered seeing relatives to be the most stressful part of the holiday season. Gift receiving was only the favorite holiday activity among two percent. Eating holiday meals (15 percent) and gift giving (14 percent) were the second and third most enjoyable parts of the holidays, according to those surveyed. Forty-two percent said gift buying is the most stressful holiday activity of them all.

Over the River and Through the Woods: Thirty-six percent of respondents will travel for the holidays this year, up two percent over last year. Twenty-eight percent intend to travel for this New Year's, up four percent over last year. About equal numbers of travelers plan to drive and fly this holiday season.

Family Ties: Eighty percent of travelers will be spending time with family and relatives this holiday season, almost exactly the same as last year. About 20 percent of travelers said they plan to "escape" family, relatives or friends this year. For those considering a holiday escape, New York City was selected by travelers as their most likely holiday escape. When asked who they are most likely to "escape" during the holidays, respondents chose parents, followed closely by in-laws, friends and siblings.

Time on My Side: Fifty percent of survey respondents said they plan to take at least one week of vacation during the holidays and of that group, 31 percent intend to take more than one week. Eight percent will not take any time off during the holidays.

Stocking Stuffers: When asked what gift they are most likely to get the traveler in their life, the top choice (15 percent) was a digital camera. Eleven percent selected noise-canceling headphones, and 10 percent decided upon an iPod. A travel journal and luggage were the next most popular picks.

"Despite the allure of taking a holiday escape to somewhere warm and sunny during the holidays, most travelers dedicate this time of year to quality time with family," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "It was most surprising to see that only two percent of travelers consider receiving gifts as their favorite part of the holidays."

  Top Ten Likely Holiday Escapes, According to TripAdvisor Travelers
  1.  New York City
  2.  Las Vegas
  3.  London
  4.  Orlando
  5.  Paris
  6.  Maui
  7.  Cancun
  8.  The Maldives
  9.  Aruba
  10. Puerto Vallarta

  About TripAdvisor LLC

TripAdvisor.com(TM) is the largest travel community in the world, with more than 5 million unbiased reviews and opinions, covering 220,000+ hotels and attractions. With more than 20 million unique monthly visitors worldwide (source: comScore Media Metrix, July 2006), TripAdvisor(R) features real advice from real travelers and easy access to major online travel sites, including Expedia.com(R), Orbitz, Hotels.com(R), British Airways and American Airlines, for great deals. TripAdvisor(R), which operates sites in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/) and in the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/) provides travel suppliers a graphical advertising and cost-per-click marketing platform. Winner of dozens of awards, including PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites and Forbes Best of the Web, TripAdvisor(R) is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. .

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor