Currently, more than half of travel is purchased online in the United States. Social networking tools are being employed by travelers more and more every year. Today’s generation of traveler is clearly different from past generations. But what can we tell about the next generation of travelers? To answer this question, PhoCusWright and Ypartnership have published The NEXTgen Traveler, a market research report that explores the technology and travel preferences of the next generation of travelers.
Sample data from the report reveals that NEXTgen travelers:
Are losing interest in traditional media.
NEXTgen travelers are less influenced by travel offices, travel agenst, media coveage, or advertising for travel decision-making. But half report being influenced by information found on a destination Web site or through an online travel intermediary.
Want to see if for themselves.
Nearly three fourths of respondents are interested in viewing photos of hotel/resort facilities and 60% are interested in virtual tours.
Are primed for mobile travel applications.
One third access the Internet via their cell phones or mobile devices and a fifth view maps on these devices.
Like to share.
Nearly half have written a review of some kind (movie, book, travel) on a social networking site. More than half regulary visit MySpace and a third share videos on YouTube.
The full report can be found in the Nestlé Library, located in the course reserves collection (call number G155 A1 N439).
Posted by Nestlé Library 
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