American Express Retail Index Finds More Than 70 Percent of Americans to Travel This Holiday Season; The Gift of Travel Ranks Among Top Ten Most Wanted.Business Editors NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2002 More than 70 percent of Americans are traveling this holiday, proving that the travel industry is seeing a steady rebound, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the 2002 American Express American Express (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as "AmEx" or "Amex", is a diversified global financial services company, headquartered in New York City. The company is best known for its credit card, charge card and traveler's cheque businesses. Retail Index, a national consumer poll. Of those planning to travel, 55 percent will be driving to their destination, 16 percent will be flying to their holiday getaway, while 30 percent will be home for the holidays. Travelers are also spending more this holiday season compared with previous years: 13% of respondents said they plan to spend $500 or more on their holiday travel, compared with 10 percent in 2001 and 9 percent in 2000, the survey found. Bookings in American Express Travel service locations show that travelers planning more exotic vacations this holiday are opting for warm weather retreats and relaxing vacations such as cruises, Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Domestically, Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , Orlando, New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , Hawaii and ski destinations like Aspen and Vail Vail (vāl), town (1990 pop. 3,569), Eagle co., W central Colo., on Gore Creek, in the Gore Range of the Rocky Mts.; founded as a ski resort 1962, inc. as a town 1966. are popular. In another holiday travel trend, an increasing number of Americans will unwrap a gift of travel this holiday season as more travel agencies offer gift certificates and other travel-related gifts among their wares. The American Express Retail Index found that those receiving travel as a holiday gift would most like to wake up to find the following travel-related items under their tree: air tickets (36 percent); a cruise package (34 percent) a gift certificate for a trip of choice (36 percent); a hotel stay (24 percent) or a spa getaway (16 percent). Not only do many Americans wish for the gift of travel, but many plan to give it. The survey found that travel-related gifts rank sixth on American's wish lists, and six percent of holiday gift-givers plan to present a friend or loved one with a gift of travel this holiday season. For more information, contact American Express Corporate Communications Corporate communications is the process of facilitating information and knowledge exchanges with internal and key external groups and individuals that have a direct relationship with an enterprise. Department at 212-640-0647. The American Express Retail Index on holiday shopping was conducted by telephone between October 11 and October 18 as part of an omnibus omnibus: see bus. study and surveyed 800 heads of households, age 18 and older. The 2002 American Express Retail Index looked at spending, buying attitudes, shopping trends and preferences among the general consuming public. The margin of error is +/- 3.5%. American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning Financial planning Evaluating the investing and financing options available to a firm. Planning includes attempting to make optimal decisions, projecting the consequences of these decisions for the firm in the form of a financial plan, and then comparing future performance against , business services, insurance and international banking. |
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