Tech, Price, Family Drive US Vacationers (from TravelTrade magazine, via Hotel Marketing):

Yesawich gave an overview of the National Travel Monitor, the yearly survey conducted by the Ypartnership that tracks the travel habits, preferences and intentions of Americans.

Technology and social values are the biggest influencers of American travelers, said Yesawich.

Technology is especially influential with 61% of active travelers saying they use the Internet exclusively for travel research. In the 2009 Monitor, 56% of travelers said they book their travel online as well.

Although this survey doesn’t cover mobile, it’s worth noting that a clear majority of Americans want the immediacy of the technology they have in front of them to plan travel. We believe the smartphone is the next logical step in this progression, especially when in comes to in-destination rapid decision making: where am I going tonight, where am I going to eat afterward, etc….