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Americans’ Dream Destinations | September 1 2003 |
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Americans may be less likely to travel abroad since September 11th, but according to Harris Interactive(r) their ideal destinations have not changed much. France has actually recovered from 6th to 4th place in the rankings despite its stance on Iraq. Australia is the no.1 choice for the 7th year running, and the biggest faller this year is Canada. Respondents were asked where they would most like to go on vacation if cost was not an issue - which may account for some of the Australian dominance. The rest of the top 6 positions are all in Europe - Italy has returned to second place just ahead of Great Britain (NB this excludes Northern Ireland which is in the UK but not officially part of GB). Americans may be consuming less French wine, and France is reporting a decline in US tourists, but the people selling 'freedom fries' may not have been those listing France as first choice anyway and the general appeal of a vacation there is still very strong. Over the last seven years, France has always been placed in the top six, and usually in the top four. New Zealand (ranked 7) and Japan (8) are the other non-European destinations in the top 10 this year - both were outside it last year. Greece is another riser, from 14th to 10th. Jamaica and Barbados have both dropped out of the top 15 this year having tied for 9th place last year. Looking at summary results for continents and regions, half of all Americans would choose a European country, up slightly from 46% in 2002. A quarter (25%) would choose a country in Asia or the Pacific region. Locations in the Americas / the Caribbean have slipped from 19% to 12% since last year and the Middle East is not surprisingly bumping along the bottom, having fallen from 3 or 4% two years ago to only 1% in each of the last 2 years. The Harris Poll(r) was conducted online by Harris Interactive(r) within the United States between July 14 and 20, 2003 among a nationwide cross section of 2,215 adults. Tables 'If you could spend a vacation in any country in the world, outside the United States, and you would not have to worry about the cost, what one country would you choose?'
* Not in top 15. = Indicates a tie. Summary by Region
* less than 1% = Indicates a tie. Simple printable version of this article. Email this article to a friend.
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