Generali Global Assistance Releases Results of Annual Summer Travel Survey

PR Newswire

NEW YORK and SAN DIEGO, May 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Generali Global Assistance's Travel Insurance division ("the Company) today releases its annual survey findings on vacation plans for U.S. travelers. The survey found that more U.S. travelers will be packing a bag and heading out on a summer vacation – 68% up from 61% in 2016. Americans were tied with Brazilians as the most likely to travel, ahead of the Chinese (67%) and Europeans (64%).

Generali Global Assistance (PRNewsfoto/Generali Global Assistance)

This year, budgets for U.S travelers declined modestly by one percentage point to $2,643, while average trip duration increased modestly to 1.5 weeks. Nearly half (46%) of U.S. travelers will book their trip at least 4 months in advance.

Commenting on today's news, Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance said, "After a significant dip in 2016, summer travel has rebounded over the past two years. With budgets remaining relatively flat, unsurprisingly 46% of vacationers will stay within the U.S. this year, up five percentage points from 2017. Of the preferred foreign destinations for U.S. travelers, Canada was the top, followed by Mexico – with the Bahamas, Italy, and France locked in a three-way tie for third place."

Beaches and cities once again topped the list for U.S. travelers in terms of preferred location. As for preferred activities while on vacation, for Americans:

Spending time with family and friends was the most desired (48%)
Followed by discovering different cultures/getting a complete change of scenery (45%)
And relaxing (39%).

For Europeans:

Relaxing tops the list (54%) which explains why they are much better than Americans at unplugging completely from work – 66% of Europeans vs. 55% of Americans.

Americans are also more likely to stay connected to social media with only 40% saying they will use it less than usual, compared to:

56% of Europeans who will spend less time on social media
And the Chinese who will be the most connected group, with only 31% spending less time than usual on social media.

Hotels remain the most used form of accommodation this summer at 55%, down slightly from last year (57%). But new forms of lodging are on the rise, especially with Millennials:

59% said they would rent an individual's private house/apartment (vs. 38% of the general population)
37% said they would rent a room in a private house (vs. 20% of gen pop)
29% said they would engage in a free home exchange (vs. 16% of gen pop).

The top three decision-making factors for where U.S. travelers will stay are:

Location (63%)
Value (57%)
Online reviews (33%) – which increased from 31% in 2017.

For Americans, Paris and London topped the list of cities they would most like to visit at least once. Europeans would most like to visit New York and both the Brazilians and Chinese have Paris atop their wish list. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo was the most attractive sporting event to attend, followed by the Super Bowl and the U.S. Open (tennis).

Carnicelli concluded, "Americans that plan to travel this summer indicated that they are usually covered by insurance for health related issues for themselves or their family (70%), a vehicle breakdown (71%), a transportation accident (67%), and the loss of personal belongings, like luggage (57%). Interestingly, Europeans are far more likely to purchase travel insurance directly from a travel insurance provider at 48% versus Americans at 22%. Most Americans indicate they get travel insurance through their credit card company at 36%. Americans should make sure they do their research on the benefits they are receiving when they buy travel insurance as the policy received through their credit card may not be encompassing enough of their needs."

Generali Global Assistance offers a full suite of innovative, vertically integrated travel insurance products and assistance services that help protect consumers against certain risks associated with travel. These products combine the institutional knowledge, quality, and customer service built by CSA Travel Protection over the past 25 years with the backing and underwriting ability of a global insurance brand – Generali. To learn more about Generali travel insurance plans, please visit GeneraliTravelInsurance.com.

Methodology
The 18^th edition (3^rd for the U.S.) of the "Summer Holiday Plans" survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Europ Assistance and Generali Global Assistance between March 29 and April 19, 2018. The survey was conducted online for 16,000 consumers in 14 countries, with 1,000 consumers taking the survey in the U.S.

About Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance, formerly Europ Assistance USA, has been a leading provider of travel insurance and other assistance services for more than 25 years. The Company offers a full suite of innovative, vertically integrated travel insurance and emergency services, identity protection solutions, and beneficiary companion services. Generali Global Assistance is part of the multinational Generali Group, which for over 185 years has created a presence in 60 countries with over 76,000 employees. Our success has been built on the foundation of trust that clients have placed in our ability to provide assistance in the most difficult of circumstances.

Generali Global Assistance offers travel insurance* through vacation rental and property management companies, leading travel agencies, online travel agencies, other travel suppliers and directly to consumers. For more information on Generali Global Assistance and the policies offered for travelers, please visit: https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com.

Media Contact
Jesse Tron
M Group Strategic Communications (for Generali Global Assistance North America)
+1 212 266 0192
jtron@mgroupsc.com

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*Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance's products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.