Family matters: Orbitz 2011 Holiday Travel Index

NY towers as a top holiday travel spot, according to the 2011 Holiday Travel Insider Index. Credit: mastermaq.

By Valerie Moloney

In a sign of the times, travelers surveyed by Orbitz revealed that they would cut back on holiday gifts this year if necessary to cover higher travel costs. The Orbitz 2011 Holiday Travel Index, which gauged the holiday travel plans and preferences of nearly 800 respondents, showed that more than 80 percent of the pool planned to spend at least one of the upcoming holidays with their family. About 68 percent said that they were willing to reduce holiday gift expenses  — or forgo presents altogether — if higher airfares necessitated the sacrifice.

This year, average airfares rose 4 percent year over year to the top 10 destinations, which include New York, Chicago, Orlando, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale, Fl. The survey pegs family travel as the top reason for travel during the holidays.

New York ranked as the top destination for Thanksgiving travel. Average fare to the Big Apple climbed to $342, compared with $285 in 2010. Chicago ($396 for the average ticket, which remained flat from last year) and Orlando ($342 on average from $301 last year) came in second and third.

Even with ticket costs edging upward, 50 percent of those polled said that they would book trips by the end of October or simply wait for last-minute deals. Procrastination, however, might not be a wise move.

“With the travel demand strong for the holidays, consumers need to lock in their plans,” said Jeanenne Tornatore, senior travel editor for Orbitz.com. “We’re seeing many deals catering to families on a budget, but travelers will miss these great opportunities if travel planning is pushed back as prices are not likely to go down.”

Related resources

• New York hotels
• Chicago hotels
• Las Vegas hotels
• Orlando hotels
• Holiday travel & Christmas vacation ideas

Tagged: Family time, Florida, Hotels, New York