RISMEDIA, December 18, 2009—Travel Ticker, a travel website, announced the results from its New Year’s Eve Poll. The poll reveals the preferences of nearly 5,000 U.S. consumers, showing that more than a third of travelers would like to find themselves on the Las Vegas strip when the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve.
According to those polled, respondents would rather spend time in Las Vegas on New Year’s than other traditional New Year’s Eve destinations. In fact, Las Vegas (35%) beat out New York City (30%), Miami (19%), Los Angeles (9%) and Chicago (7%) as respondents’ favorite New Year’s Eve destination. Possible reasons for this result include the A-list entertainment at the city’s top clubs and shows, the massive party on a pedestrian-only Strip with fireworks lighting up the sky at midnight, and the availability of incredible deals that Las Vegas has to offer this year.
“Cities go all out for New Year’s, and hotels are raising the stakes to lure leisure travelers for the long weekend,” said Barbara Messing, vice president of Travel Ticker. “That makes this year a great time to treat yourself to an out-of-town celebration, no matter where your favorite city happens to be.”
Travel Ticker’s poll also uncovered several interesting findings regarding respondents’ New Year’s Eve preferences:
Las Vegas is the preferred New Year’s Eve destination among a variety of travelers this year
-With its many different offerings, Las Vegas is not only the preference for the general group of respondents (35%), but also amongst a wide range of sub-groups.
-41% of men chose Las Vegas as the spot for New Year’s celebrations, which isn’t a surprise considering all the great action that awaits at upscale sports books and table gaming rooms. On the other hand, women are virtually split between Las Vegas and NYC as the place they’d want to be.
-In addition, more than 36% of respondents 51+ years-old, 32% aged 31-40 and respondents with incomes between $35,000 and $99,000 plan to count down to midnight in Las Vegas. These results are a good testament to the wide appeal Las Vegas has created for itself through its diverse entertainment options and varying price points.
New York City’s famed New Year’s Eve celebration makes the city a close second favorite destination
-Only 5% behind Las Vegas, New York City is another favorite as 30% of respondents chose the real-life Gotham City as the place to be on New Year’s Eve. It is a long standing tradition for many Americans to watch the ball drop at midnight- and there’s no better way to experience it than in person. Travelers might also plan to combine the celebration with excursions to world famous department stores and boutiques to take advantage of the post holiday sales.
-The poll also shows that a greater percentage of women (almost 33%) picked the fashionable Big Apple as their favorite New Year’s Eve destination compared to men- at 26%.
-In addition, NYC is popular among travelers 18-30 years-old with nearly 36% of respondents preferring the fast pace and excitement that only the ‘City that Never Sleeps’ can offer during New Year’s festivities.
-New York City was also preferred by respondents in the lowest and highest income groups. Thirty-two percent of those with an income of $35,000 and under and 34% of those bringing in $100,000+ chose the city, with its everything-for-everyone offerings, as the place to be.
Travelers prefer to go cross-country to celebrate New Year’s Eve
-The poll shows that nearly 40% of respondents in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast regions would prefer to take a cross-country getaway out West to celebrate in Las Vegas while almost 40% of respondents from the Western and Southwestern regions of the U.S. chose New York City as the place they would most like to be on New Year’s Eve.
-These results indicate that travelers are eager to get away from home this holiday to make the start of 2010 unforgettable and take advantage of the available great deals.
