Travelocity Takes a Lesson from Its European Counterparts: Survey Reveals the Truth about International Vacationers
13 October 2006 - 2:39AM
Business Wire
Most Americans know Europe for its picturesque travel destinations,
historical monuments and legendary cities. But, what do Europeans
think of their close neighbors and how will that influence American
pond hoppers? Knowing that the best travel information comes from
locals, Travelocity editors tapped their sister company in Europe
to learn how Europeans themselves rate the food, attractiveness and
even social skills of other European nationals. �European travel is
on the rise and insider information is always the best to make sure
you pick the best spots,� said Amy Ziff, Travelocity's
editor-at-large. �This poll provides a mix of fun, and sometimes
down right shocking, insights into what Europeans really think of
each other.� For Americans, France is often coveted as the very
best destination for world-class cuisine. But Europeans actually
rank Italy as having the best food on the continent. Notable
dissenters were France and Spain, both voting for their own country
as having the best eats. Of course, where there is good there is
bad. The vote for the worst food went to the United Kingdom. The
Brits insist that title belongs squarely to Germany. (Perhaps that
depends on whether you prefer haggis to weinershcnitzel?) But food
isn't everything. Let�s talk candy, and we�re not comparing Swiss
chocolate to Belgian. We're talking eye-candy and beachwear. So
just who is the hottest on the sand and surf? Most Europeans voted
for the Italians, except the Spanish, who claimed that they have
the best bods for bathing. The prize for worst beach bods went to
the Brits first and the Germans second. Alas, looks can only take
you so far. When it comes to real popularity you need personality.
In this category, Spaniards are the clear winners and the Germans
the losers. (Incidentally, the Germans actually prefer spending
time with other nationalities as well.) Traveling amongst the
Spaniards is a sure way to boost your next European adventure.
American�s Favorite European Destinations Great Britain Italy
Germany France Spain Ireland Greece Netherlands Switzerland Sweden
Advice for Americans Traveling Abroad* Be humble. In many
countries, boasting is considered very rude. Dress for respect.
Know what is expected. Bring scarves, headwear or whatever is
required. Be patient. Americans talk fast. Eat fast. Move fast.
Live fast. Many cultures do not. Live, eat and play local. Most
people believe that Americans have the most fun when they are in
their own company. Prove them wrong. Gestures are a powerful
language in any culture. Study up on them. *Source: World Citizens
Guide Other Survey Findings The British, Italians, Spanish and
Danes seek adventure on their vacations. The Germans want to relax
and get away from it all when on vacation. The Italians are most
likely to travel with friends. The Spanish and French are most
likely to travel with extended family. All European nationals (much
like Americans) prefer a variety of things to do while on vacation,
including beach, shopping and entertainment. Total Respondents �
Italy France Spain Germany UK What country has the best food? 56%
21% 12% 4% 3% What country has the worst food? 2% 12% 2% 17% 67%
What nation looks best on the beach? 50% 10% 28% 8% 4% What nation
looks worst on the beach? 5% 6% 4% 36% 49% What nation do people
like to socialize with on vacation? 35% 10% 38% 6% 11% What nation
do people avoid on vacation? 16% 17% 3% 29% 35% *This survey was
conducted online at www.lastminute.com in June 2006 with 11,500
total respondents. About Travelocity Travelocity is committed to
being the traveler�s champion � before, during and after the trip
and guarantees everything about a customer�s booking will be right.
If it�s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it
right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7
phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has
made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. �
booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in
Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also�owns and operates Travelocity
BusinessSM and GetThere for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a
leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific
online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation
(NYSE: TSG), a world leader in travel commerce. Most Americans know
Europe for its picturesque travel destinations, historical
monuments and legendary cities. But, what do Europeans think of
their close neighbors and how will that influence American pond
hoppers? Knowing that the best travel information comes from
locals, Travelocity editors tapped their sister company in Europe
to learn how Europeans themselves rate the food, attractiveness and
even social skills of other European nationals. "European travel is
on the rise and insider information is always the best to make sure
you pick the best spots," said Amy Ziff, Travelocity's
editor-at-large. "This poll provides a mix of fun, and sometimes
down right shocking, insights into what Europeans really think of
each other." For Americans, France is often coveted as the very
best destination for world-class cuisine. But Europeans actually
rank Italy as having the best food on the continent. Notable
dissenters were France and Spain, both voting for their own country
as having the best eats. Of course, where there is good there is
bad. The vote for the worst food went to the United Kingdom. The
Brits insist that title belongs squarely to Germany. (Perhaps that
depends on whether you prefer haggis to weinershcnitzel?) But food
isn't everything. Let's talk candy, and we're not comparing Swiss
chocolate to Belgian. We're talking eye-candy and beachwear. So
just who is the hottest on the sand and surf? Most Europeans voted
for the Italians, except the Spanish, who claimed that they have
the best bods for bathing. The prize for worst beach bods went to
the Brits first and the Germans second. Alas, looks can only take
you so far. When it comes to real popularity you need personality.
In this category, Spaniards are the clear winners and the Germans
the losers. (Incidentally, the Germans actually prefer spending
time with other nationalities as well.) Traveling amongst the
Spaniards is a sure way to boost your next European adventure.
American's Favorite European Destinations -- Great Britain -- Italy
-- Germany -- France -- Spain -- Ireland -- Greece -- Netherlands
-- Switzerland -- Sweden Advice for Americans Traveling Abroad* --
Be humble. In many countries, boasting is considered very rude. --
Dress for respect. Know what is expected. Bring scarves, headwear
or whatever is required. -- Be patient. Americans talk fast. Eat
fast. Move fast. Live fast. Many cultures do not. -- Live, eat and
play local. Most people believe that Americans have the most fun
when they are in their own company. Prove them wrong. -- Gestures
are a powerful language in any culture. Study up on them. *Source:
World Citizens Guide Other Survey Findings -- The British,
Italians, Spanish and Danes seek adventure on their vacations. --
The Germans want to relax and get away from it all when on
vacation. -- The Italians are most likely to travel with friends.
-- The Spanish and French are most likely to travel with extended
family. -- All European nationals (much like Americans) prefer a
variety of things to do while on vacation, including beach,
shopping and entertainment. -0- *T Total Respondents
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Italy France Spain Germany UK
--------------------------------------- ----- ------ ----- -------
--- What country has the best food? 56% 21% 12% 4% 3%
--------------------------------------- ----- ------ ----- -------
--- What country has the worst food? 2% 12% 2% 17% 67%
--------------------------------------- ----- ------ ----- -------
--- What nation looks best on the beach? 50% 10% 28% 8% 4%
--------------------------------------- ----- ------ ----- -------
--- What nation looks worst on the beach? 5% 6% 4% 36% 49%
--------------------------------------- ----- ------ ----- -------
--- What nation do people like to socialize with on vacation? 35%
10% 38% 6% 11% --------------------------------------- ----- ------
----- ------- --- What nation do people avoid on vacation? 16% 17%
3% 29% 35% --------------------------------------- ----- ------
----- ------- --- *T *This survey was conducted online at
www.lastminute.com in June 2006 with 11,500 total respondents.
About Travelocity Travelocity is committed to being the traveler's
champion - before, during and after the trip and guarantees
everything about a customer's booking will be right. If it's not,
Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right
away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone
support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made
Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. - booking
$7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake,
Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM)
and GetThere for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in
European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online
travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:
TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
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