TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel community, today announced its holiday travel survey of more than 1,500 travelers worldwide. Seventy-five percent of travelers said they would prefer to stay at a hotel, rather than the homes of their relatives for the holidays. Thirty-six percent of travelers, and 39 percent of Americans, plan to travel for the holidays this year, the same amount as last year.

Escape Claus

While 77 percent of travelers will see family and relatives for the holiday, 18 percent of travelers said they will "escape" family and relatives this holiday season. Six percent said they will escape their in-laws this holiday season, and 15 percent said they would like to, but won't. Thirty- nine percent of travelers said their ideal escape is a tropical beach getaway in the Caribbean.

  Top Ten Holiday Escapes, According to TripAdvisor Travelers

    1.  The Caribbean
    2.  Hawaii
    3.  Paris
    4.  New York City
    5.  The Maldives
    6.  Las Vegas
    7.  Tahiti
    8.  London
    9.  Bora Bora
   10.  Thailand


  Give Me a Holiday Break

Twenty-two percent of Americans said they are not taking any time off from work during the holidays, and among those taking days off, 45 percent of Americans will be taking less than one week of vacation.

Better to Give?

Among those flying for the holidays, 29 percent said they won't bother bringing gifts. Twenty percent will be carrying gifts onto the plane, and 20 percent will check their gifts. Twenty-one percent will buy gifts when they arrive at their destination and 15 percent plan to mail their gifts ahead. Two percent will buy their gifts at the airport.

It's the Most Wonderful (and Stressful) Time of the Year

Seventeen percent of travelers said the holidays are more stressful than enjoyable, and 32 percent said the holidays are equally stressful and enjoyable. The most stressful part of the holidays is gift buying, according to 41 percent of travelers, while 18 percent think traveling is the most stressful. The best way to alleviate holiday stress, according to 30 percent of travelers surveyed is "to take a trip somewhere."

Checking Air Travel Lists Twice

When asked what steps they will take to prepare for holiday air travel, 53 percent said they will check in before arriving at the airport. Among those flying, 19 percent said they will fly on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, because it is cheaper.

"The holidays are for spending time with family, but it appears many travelers want that quality time in moderation," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "It is interesting that travel was the second most stressful holiday activity, yet almost one third of those surveyed said the best way to alleviate holiday stress is to take a trip."

About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 30 million monthly visitors (source: comScore Media Metrix, Digital Calculator Report, July 2007) across eight popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R) sites, bookingbuddy.com (TM), cruisecritic.com(TM), independenttraveler.com(TM), seatguru.com(R), smartertravel.com(TM), travel- library.com(TM) and travelpod.com(TM). TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25 million monthly visitors, five million registered members and 10 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 280,000+ hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie/), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de/), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it/), and Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es/). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry, worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .

TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor.com, bookingbuddy.com, cruisecritic.com, independenttraveler.com, seatguru.com, smartertravel.com, travel-library.com and travelpod.com are either trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor, LLC, in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor(R)