what is travel research

5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research

• Updated: 04/08/2024

When it comes to tidying my travel research, I bear-hug embrace the ways of the famous Japanese organizer, Marie Kondo. Like Marie, I make a point to save only the things that bring me joy—or at least the anticipation of it, while on a trip. 

Although part of me wants to save everything I find—from every cultural to culinary highlight—I moderate. Keeping things focused, I keep items I love and know my family will like, which helps me create a valuable trip resource. 

And, just like neat compartments in a post-Kondo sock drawer, I organize these saved items using an easy system that allows me to find and access them later.

Table Of Contents

At-a-glance: 5 strategies to streamline & organize travel research.

Planning a trip can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many destinations, hotels, and activities to research, I know first-hand that it is easy to get lost in a sea of information.  That is why it is helpful to have a strategy to organize and simplify your travel research. Here are five proven ways to do just that.

• Use a travel research checklist . Guide your planning for a stress-free vacation and remember every detail with a comprehensive list like this one.
• Know the best travel planning resources . Get the essential planning information you need faster and better with these top sources. 
• Have a system to store your research . Know where to save your travel research so you can find, access, and share it easily when needed.
• Get out the door with more checklists . Use universal and destination packing lists and close-the-house checklists to get out the door more smoothly and with everything you need.
• Stay organized during the trip . Stay on track during your trip using itineraries, online files, and apps—ensuring easy access to essential information.

Why Staying Organized Makes for Better Travel

When it comes to travel research, being organized helps. Without a structured approach, it is easy to get overwhelmed and spend hours searching for new information or finding old sources.

Organizing and simplifying your travel research helps you save time and have the necessary information at your fingertips when needed. I n addition, easy access to your saved travel research gives you more options and on-the-go flexibility .

For example, before a trip to southern France, I read about Lourmarin, a Provencal town with one of the best Saturday markets in the region. I saved the destination to my curated Google Maps list  and recorded tips about visiting the Saturday market, like where to park, open hours, and places to eat, in an online doc.

Even though I knew a visit to Lourmarin was not a sure thing, as we were traveling with a big multi-family group and staying over an hour away, I hoped for the best.

So, when our schedules opened, I suggested the activity, and the group agreed to go. I found and shared my saved information. And we all spent a lovely Saturday in the market town. Of the many ways to enjoy Provence, browsing pretty market stalls in a picturesque town, followed by a leisurely alfresco lunch at a charming cafe, is a very, very good one.

Use This 49-Item Travel Research Checklist

One of the first steps in organizing your travel planning is to borrow a travel research checklist or create your own. This checklist will help you stay on track throughout your trip-planning process. 

A good checklist will detail the key elements you need to research , like flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities. If you feel overwhelmed, break each category into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each. If you are going on a group trip, assign responsibility to whoever oversees that task. Doing this will help you stay focused and ensure no details slip through the cracks.

Use a checklist like the one I provide in this article , and shown below. Once you have your checklist in place, it is time to start researching.

Know the Best Travel Planning Resources

Countless travel planning tools, from flight comparisons to hotel reviews, will help simplify your research and provide valuable insights. However, as a shortcut, I share my favorites with links and why to use them for each of these four categories.

• Where to Go
• How to Get There
• Where to Stay

Many of the sources I share are free or low-cost, simple to use, and quickly provide the essential information you need to plan your best trip. Marie would approve. 

Where to Go: 8+ Resources for Travel Planning

Use these 8+ resources to get ideas on where you want to go next. Or use them to shape your itinerary within a region.

YouTube & Social Media

Travel-related videos and social media are great planning resources . Following travel accounts can inspire you, offer travel hacks, and provide recommendations. Engage with account content and ask ques tions from creators to get personalized advice.

Plus, take advantage of resourceful groups and forums on Facebook and Reddit. Join private travel groups or hop on destination-specific threads. Scan past posts where travelers asked and got answers for the very same questions you have. Get feedback on possible itineraries to get ideas to shape your trip. 

Travel Bloggers

Reading travel blogs can be a great way to gather insider tips and recommendations . Experienced and knowledgeable travel experts with distinct points of view will provide valuable insights and advice. Follow or subscribe to the newsletters of bloggers you like best.

Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator !

Friends & Family

It is likely that your family or friends, or friends of friends, have been to the place you plan to travel. Bring up your planned trip in casual conversations or cast a net digitally on social media to ask for recommendations.

Google Explore

Use the open-ended Explore search engine on Google Flights to see all the destinations you can fly to or fly and drive from your home city with airfare price tags attached for specific or flexible dates. I have planned many trips based on where I could get the most affordable tickets using Google Explore. Learn how to best use it in “ Travel Better: How to Best Use Google Flights Explore .” 

Once you have a general idea of the destination or region you want to visit, read a guidebook to get an in-depth and independent view of how to craft your itinerary . Also, get information on destination highlights, history and culture , and ideas for where to eat, sleep, and shop. Get an idea for which guidebooks fit your needs best in this article sharing the pros and cons of the top 15 guidebooks series . 

Borrow an Itinerary

Need the ultimate shortcut for trip ideas? Look at a tour company website that fits your travel style and see where they go and how they organize their trip itineraries. A few of my favorite companies include Intrepid Travel (for international adventure travel), Macs Adventures (for European hiking and biking trips), and Austin Adventures (for US national park visits). 

For example, if you are unsure how to visit the highlights in Costa Rica, jump on the Intrepid website and look at their Costa Rica trips. Do you need ideas for hikes and walks in Switzerland? Macs Adventure trips show great ideas. Or—if you are confused about how many of the five Utah national parks to visit on one trip—you will see that Austin Adventures has figured it out.

Plus, when you are on these sites, you can decide to fully outsource your planning and book a trip directly with the tour company. Get more ideas for the best places to find inspiring trip itinerary ideas here .

How to Get There & Get Around: 7 Resources for Travel Planning

If you have not already read a guidebook for your destination, now is the time to do it. The best guidebooks  provide comprehensive logistics information about getting to and from and traveling around a destination.  In addition, here are the shortcuts I recommend looking at to get the transportation information and bookings you need. 

My first stop is always Google Flights . I use it for its Explore functionality , where I can price flights and track fares . Then, I buy my tickets directly from the airline. I do this to minimize the potential hassle of dealing with a reseller if my flight is delayed, canceled, or needs rebooking. If this happens, I prefer dealing directly with the better-resourced airline. See more airfare tips here .

Also, I recommend signing up for the free flight deal emails from Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). Or—buying its annual membership to get access to exclusive fare deals.

Consider the benefits of train travel wherever you plan to explore. It is the ultimate slow travel experience . I share why I love to travel by train and provide resources for where to plan train trips and buy train tickets here .

Sometimes the best way to get there, or get around, is by car. Get my tips for road trips  and rental cars , including one of my favorite sources to save on car rentals— Autoslash . Learn about rental car insurance in “ Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t .”

Where to Stay: 5 Resources & Tips for Travel Planning

When our family travels, I put a lot of care and attention into picking the places we stay —from the location to the layout. I do this because I have found vacation lodging has an outsize positive or negative impact on our overall trip experience.  For example, it is difficult to have a bad trip when this is the kind of place you stay in Positano, Italy.

Get my tips for finding the best places for your trip here . See my best resources where you can filter your accommodation searches based on preferences, such as price range, location, and amenities below. 

Google Hotels

In addition to providing an easy-to-use navigable map to search for top lodging, Google Hotels features three little-known helpful buttons that could save you loads of time when you plan your next trip. These buttons will help you decide where to stay, when to visit, and what you will pay for your lodging. Learn more about Google Hotels in “ Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools .”

Booking.com

This accommodation booking platform is my preferred lodging site, particularly in Europe, where its presence is extensive. You will appreciate its flexible cancellation and payment options, user reviews, discounts, and easy-to-use interface for hotels and rentals.

VRBO & Airbnb

Explore more of the rental market using sites like VRBO and Airbnb . Find rental properties that offer more space vs. hotels and household amenities like kitchens and laundry, which are helpful for longer-term travel.

Tripadvisor

Use this site to see which hotels and specialty properties rank the highest for your destination. Read the detailed guest reviews. 

5 Essential Accommodation Search Tips When Travel Planning

• Set a budget. Doing this will help narrow your options and save you from wasting time on properties outside your price range.
• Read property reviews. See what previous guests have to say about your prospective lodging to learn about its quality and suitability for your needs.
• Check out manager reviews. When considering renting, click on the owner or manager profile to check out their other properties. Confirm all the rentals they manage have consistently solid reviews. If they do not, consider this a red flag, increasing the likelihood of potential issues with your booking.
• Dive into negative reviews. Did a guest have an issue? See how management responded. Is the response prompt, considerate, and respectful? Or combative and blaming? Since you never know when an unexpected issue may occur with a booking, you will want reassurance that management has a proven ability to deal effectively with problems. Or better yet, can avoid them from happening altogether.
• Note the fees. Before you book a rental, get a clear idea of the additional cleaning and booking fees not included in the base rate. These fees can add an extra $100+ or more per night. This extra cost may make staying at a fee-free hotel more enticing. 

What to Do: 12 Activity Resources for Travel Planning

Now that you have planned the when, where, and how to get there, it is time for one of the best parts of travel research—figuring out what to do once you arrive. Here are the top resources to help you decide.

Google Things to Do & TripAdvisor

Search these sites to get ideas for top activities for your destination. Use Google Things to Do to search by interest or by neighborhood. Learn why to use it and where to find it in “ Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools ”. Use Tripadvisor to scan ranked lists for activities and tours. 

Local Tourism Sites

Most destinations have official tourism websites that provide comprehensive information about attractions, events, and local services. These websites often have downloadable maps, suggested itineraries, and excellent recommendations for activities. Search “[Your destination] visitors bureau” to find one.

Google Maps

This powerful tool offers more than directions. Use it to search, collect, and store valuable information about attractions, restaurants, and transportation options. I am a big fan of using their custom lists and maps and recommend them frequently for travel planning. Learn more about using Google Maps for travel planning in “ Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning .” 

When you want to hike or bike on a trip—use the AllTrails website or app to discover and save the best trails. Then, use it again to get the most up-to-date route info, including trail difficulty ratings, what to expect, user reviews, and access points for the trails you decide to tackle. 

I highly recommend signing up for AllTrails+ to download offline trail maps. You can use these in-app maps to GPS-locate your progress as you hike or bike. Doing this will help you stay on the right trail, avoid unnecessary detours, and be a deterrent against getting lost. 

Viator, Get Your Guide & Airbnb Experiences

Search Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences booking platforms to find and pre-purchase highly rated guided activities. 

Pinterest, Travel Blogs & Internet Searches

Jump on Pinterest to search “things to do in [your destination]” and see hundreds of pinned articles suggesting top activities, dining, and cultural experiences. Or open your favorite browser and search the same thing to find more travel articles and blogs covering your destination in depth. Click on results that catch your eye.

AI for Travel

Use ChatGPT or any rapidly emerging AI travel-related technologies to tell you the best things to do in your destination. If you are a time-crunched travel planner, you may love the simplicity of using AI to speed up this step. Find the latest tools by searching “AI travel” on your preferred internet browser.

Employ a System to Store Your Travel Research

Now you have collected all your trip information, save it in a way that makes sense for how you want to use it and retrieve it later. I prefer to use a suite of Google tools to do this. I detail how I use Google Docs, Chrome, and Calendar to save notes and website URLs into folders and create events in “ Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools .” 

While researching your trip, consider keeping a travel journal in a Google Doc to document your progress. In your journal, record details like top lodging contenders, must-see attractions, local customs, and transportation options. 

Or consider using note-taking apps like Evernote or Google Keep . These apps allow you to create digital notebooks and tag your notes for easy retrieval. Organize your docs or notes by categories, such as accommodations, attractions, and transportation. Doing this will ensure you can find the information you need quickly.

In addition, I recommend using Google Maps custom lists and maps to save and access travel information. Learn how to best use it in “ Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning .”

Streamline Packing & Prep For Your Next Trip with These Checklists

Before any trip, most travelers must contend with packing and an endless stream of tasks before getting out the door. Streamline and minimize this prep using checklists. 

Use a universal packing list like this one . Or search for a destination-specific packing list to get tips for things to bring depending on the season. Then, to make sure you remember to do things like hold the mail and book the pet sitter, use a pre-trip task checklist like this , which will help remind you what needs to get done before you roll away with your suitcase.

Maximize your packing skill with these 25 expert packing tips .

Stay Organized During Your Trip with These 4 Tips

Once you have completed your travel research, booked your trip, and arrived at your destination, it is helpful to stay organized. Here are a few tips to help keep everything in order.

1. Use a Travel Itinerary

Create a travel itinerary for your day-by-day details to keep you organized. In it, map out your transportation bookings, lodging details, activity options, and reservations. When applicable, note opening hours, travel times between activities, and meals included. Or borrow one of my customizable formats—free and downloadable in this article .

2. Store Important Documents Online

Take photos or make digital copies of essential documents in case of loss or theft. Create a digital folder on your computer or cloud storage to store important documents such as passport copies, itineraries, credit card copies, trip insurance, and visa information. Label each file clearly for easy access. Or, if you plan to use a smartphone on your trip, store essential docs in a digital wallet.

In addition to storing important documents online, send copies of these same docs to trusted friends or family members. That way, if you forget your passwords or no longer have access to your digital devices due to theft or accident, you have an alternative way to retrieve them in an emergency.

3. Make Use of Travel Apps

Before your trip, download and update all travel-related apps you plan to use. If you are unsure which ones you may want, look at this list of the 15 apps I use for nearly every trip.  Use these apps to get last-minute notifications of travel booking changes, buy or cancel services, and communicate with service providers. Be sure to create an account and log in before you leave for your trip. 

4. Keep a Travel Journal

Document your trip experiences by jotting down recommendations and recording unexpected discoveries. Savor the process by sitting down to write your thoughts in a special notebook while you travel. Or go quick and digital and type or voice-dictate notes to a Google Doc or note app like Evernote . You never know how or when you might want to share or remember your experience. Your notes can be a resource for others and a treasured keepsake.

Following the five proven strategies above, you will simplify your travel research and stay organized, making your trip-planning process enjoyable and minimizing stress. Plus, by using checklists, top resources, defined systems, and travel tools like itineraries, apps, and cloud-based documents, you guarantee a better experience at every stage of your trip for yourself and your travel companions. 

Related Reading

If you are searching for more travel planning tools to help you save time and money and to stay organized, check out the related articles below.

• 49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)
• Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools
• Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning
• Travel Better: How to Best Use Google Flights Explore
• How to Save Time & Money with Google Flights Price Tracker
• Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t
• Pack Faster & Better with This Universal Printable Packing List
• 25 Expert Packing Tips to Help You Travel Better
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack

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Welcome to Gather and Go Travel , a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me , read our story , and how to work with me .

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Frank Rubio, Mark Vande Hei, Scott Kelly, Christina Koch, and Peggy Whitson have spent an extended amount of time in space, helping to pave the way for even longer, future exploration missions. Their missions help researchers better understand how the human body adapts to the extreme environment of space for more distant missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Learn how you can help NASA prepare for future spaceflight.

Are you developing innovative ways to keep astronauts healthy and mission-ready as space travel expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond? Partner with NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP)! Check out information on NSPIRES and internships, and explore our how-to guides for working with us.

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Benefits to Humanity

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Technologies and missions we develop for human spaceflight have thousands of applications on Earth, boosting the economy, creating new career paths, and advancing everyday technologies all around us.

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STR (Smith Travel Research)

Among hotel owners and workers, Smith Travel Research (STR) is synonymous with in-depth market analysis, industry professionals a wealth of data on occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), RevPAR, and other critical performance metrics. STR's reports and insights are invaluable tools for benchmarking and strategic decision-making, providing a clear view of market trends, performance comparisons, and opportunities for growth.

What is the STR (Smith Travel Research)?

Smith Travel Research, known as STR, is a leading source of data benchmarking, analytics, and marketplace insights in the hospitality industry. STR's comprehensive reports cover various performance metrics, including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, offering a granular view of the competitive landscape and market dynamics.

How Do You Utilize STR Data?

Utilizing STR data effectively involves:

• Benchmarking Performance: Compare your hotel's performance against industry averages or specific competitive sets to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Market Trend Analysis: Analyze market trends and forecasts provided by STR to anticipate shifts in demand and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Strategic Planning: Leverage STR data in strategic planning to inform decisions on pricing, marketing, and expansion based on reliable market intelligence.

Why is STR Data Critical for Hoteliers?

STR data is critical for several reasons:

• Competitive Insight: It provides a benchmark for comparing a hotel's performance against competitors and the broader market.
• Informed Decision-Making: Access to comprehensive market data supports more informed decision-making regarding pricing, marketing, and operational strategies.
• Trend Forecasting: STR's analysis of historical data and market trends helps predict future market movements, enabling proactive strategy adjustments.

FAQs About STR (Smith Travel Research)

Q: how can hotels access str reports.

A: Hotels can subscribe to STR's services directly through their website, gaining access to a range of reports and analytics tools tailored to the hospitality industry.

Q: Are STR Reports Useful for Small Hotels and Independent Properties?

A: Yes, STR provides valuable insights for properties of all sizes, offering customizable data sets to suit diverse market positioning and competitive landscapes.

Q: How Can STR Data Influence Revenue Management?

A: STR data can inform dynamic pricing strategies, optimize distribution channels, and enhance promotional activities by providing a detailed understanding of market demand and competitor pricing.

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What Is Market Research in Travel and Tourism?

By Alice Nichols

Market research is a crucial process for businesses in the travel and tourism industry. It involves collecting and analyzing data to understand consumer behavior, trends, and preferences. This information is then used to make informed decisions when creating marketing strategies, improving products and services, and expanding business operations.

Why Is Market Research Important in Travel and Tourism?

The travel and tourism industry is highly competitive. With so many options available to consumers, it’s important for businesses to understand what motivates their Target market to choose one destination or service over another. Market research provides insights into consumer behavior, such as what they value most when traveling, what factors influence their decision-making process, and what types of experiences they are looking for.

For example: If a hotel chain wants to expand its operations into a new city, market research can help them understand the local market demand. They can analyze data on the number of tourists visiting the city each year, the average length of stay, the types of activities that are popular among tourists in that area, etc.

The Benefits of Market Research in Travel and Tourism

There are several benefits that businesses can gain from conducting market research:

• Identify Target Markets: Market research helps businesses identify their Target market based on demographics such as age, gender, income level, etc. This information can be used to create Targeted marketing campaigns.
• Better Understanding of Consumer Behavior: By analyzing consumer behavior data collected through market research surveys or focus groups, businesses can better understand what motivates customers to buy their products or services.
• Improve Customer Satisfaction: By understanding customer needs and preferences through market research data analysis, businesses can improve their customer experience by addressing pain points.
• Increase Revenue: Market research data can help businesses identify new revenue streams. For example, if a hotel chain discovers that their Target market is interested in wellness activities, they might consider adding spa services to their offerings.

Types of Market Research in Travel and Tourism

There are two main types of market research: primary research and secondary research.

Primary Research: This involves collecting data directly from customers through surveys, focus groups, or interviews. Primary research is useful for gathering specific information on consumer behavior and preferences.

Secondary Research: This involves analyzing existing data sources such as government reports, industry publications, and competitor websites. Secondary research is useful for identifying trends and patterns in the industry.

The Bottom Line

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AAA Newsroom

Automotive, Travel, and Traffic Safety Information

Nearly 44 Million Travelers Leaving Town for Unofficial Start of Summer

Second highest memorial day holiday travel forecast since aaa began tracking in 2000.

WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2024) – AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period*. This year’s total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.  

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”   

Road trips are expected to set a record. AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019. Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides. AAA car rental partner Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand , with the busiest pick-up days projected to be Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24.  

This Memorial Day weekend drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57.  Pump prices rose this spring but have held somewhat steady in recent weeks. Prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway. The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.  

Airports are bracing for a spike in travelers. AAA expects 3.51 million air travelers this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and 9% jump compared to 2019. This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11. This Memorial Day weekend, air ticket prices are comparable to last year. AAA booking data shows a 1% to 2% increase in prices for domestic flights. Several factors play into how much travelers pay for airfare, including destination, number of stops, and fare class. For example, passengers who book nonstop flights with seat selection and carry-on bags included will likely pay more than those who select basic economy with a layover.  

  Nearly two million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. AAA projects 1.9 million people will take these other modes of transportation, an increase of 5.6% compared to last year. “This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all,” Twidale said. “Now – five years later – we’re back to 2019 numbers. Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways.”  

Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro 

INRIX , a provider of transportation data and insights, says drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.   

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.  

Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.   

For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT

Source: INRIX   

Source: INRIX  

Top Destinations 

This Memorial Day weekend, travelers are seeking theme parks and entertainment venues in Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, and Southern California. Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Florida beaches and cruise ports will also be packed. European cities dominate the international list. The top 10 domestic and international destinations below are based on AAA booking data.  

Travel Trends   

As travelers make plans for summer and beyond, AAA Travel has identified the following trends:  

• Bucket Lists : Travelers taking once-in-a-lifetime trips  
• Milestones : Families booking anniversary, retirement, and family reunion trips  
• Asia : More travelers interested in visiting Asia, especially Japan   
• Solo Trips : More people, especially women, interested in traveling by themselves  
• Luxury Vacations : More travelers seeking high-end cruises and tours  
• Trains : Many travelers interested in rail vacations across New England, Canada, and Europe  
• Adventure in Nature : Travelers booking trips to Antarctica, Africa, and South Pacific  

  Travel Agent Survey  

A recent survey of AAA travel agents highlights topics travelers are frequently discussing when booking trips:  

• Travel Insurance : 51 % of agents say more travelers are interested in protecting their trips  
• 77% of agents say ocean cruises  
• 70% of agents say all-inclusive vacations  
• 67% of agents say river cruises  

Holiday Travel Forecast Methodology   

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices, including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.   

Historical travel volume estimates come from DK SHIFFLET’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/Monitor SM . The PERFORMANCE/Monitor SM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. DK SHIFFLET contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.  

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared the week of April 15, 2024.   

*Memorial Day Holiday Travel Period   

For this forecast, the Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27, 2024.   

AAA Travel Agent Survey Methodology 

AAA clubs distributed surveys to a random sample of their travel agents between March 18 and March 29, 2024 to understand recent traveler trends over the past 60 days. 186 AAA agent responses were collected from 13 AAA clubs (representing 97% of AAA membership overall as of February 2024).  

About AAA    

Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA provides roadside assistance, travel, discounts, financial and insurance services to enhance the life journey of 64 million members across North America, including 57 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA has to offer or to become a member, visit AAA.com.   

About S&P Global   S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses, and individuals with the right data, expertise, and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges, and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading organizations plan for tomorrow today. For more information, visit  www.spglobal.com .   

About DKSA    

DK SHIFFLET boasts the industry’s most complete database on U.S. resident travel both in the U.S. and worldwide. Data is collected monthly from a U.S. representative sample, adding over 60,000 traveling households annually, and is used daily by leading travel organizations and their strategic planning groups. DK SHIFFLET is an MMGY Global company.   

About INRIX     

Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move. By empowering cities, businesses, and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and greener. With partners and solutions spanning across the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether it’s keeping road users safe, improving traffic signal timing to reduce delay and greenhouse gasses, optimizing last mile delivery, or helping uncover market insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.   

Following the people and events that make up the research community at Duke

AI Time Travel: Reimagining Ancient Landscapes

By Sophie Cox

On May 9, 2024

In Anthropology , Art , Artificial Intelligence , History , Visualization

You are looking at a field of fluffy, golden grass dotted with yellow flowers. There are trees in the background and mountains beyond that. Where are you?

Now you’re facing a terracotta sarcophagus. Where are you? When are you?

A new exhibit in the Rubenstein Arts Center uses AI to bring viewers into ancient Roman and Etruscan landscapes spanning 1300 years, from about 1000 BCE to 300 CE. (The field is Roman, the sarcophagus Etruscan.)

Along one wall, screens show springtime landscapes representing ancient Rome. The written prompts AI used to create each image include detailed information on plant species found in each landscape. One titled “Sedges in shallow water of an ephemeral pond” mentions “sparse trees of alder (Alnus glutinosa), white willow (Salix alba), and white poplar (Populus alba), and few herbaceous plants.” You can view examples of the written prompts on the exhibit’s website, AI Landscapes – Rethinking the Past .

Historians know what plants were likely to be in these landscapes because of evidence from preserved pollen grains. Different species have distinct pollen shapes, which makes it possible to identify plants even centuries or millennia later.

An interactive display near the front of the room has a camera pointed at props like building models, pillars, toy horses, and pieces of styrofoam. An AI model reinterprets the camera’s images to create hypothetical scenes from ancient Rome. “See how the columns get reinterpreted as statues?” says Felipe Infante de Castro, who helped program the AI. The AI attempts to add detail and backgrounds to simple props to create realistic scenes. “The only thing that we’re forcing,” he  says, “are essentially shapes—which it may or may not respect.” It may reinterpret a hand as a horse’s head, for instance, or a strangely shaped building.

The model is more precise with plants than buildings, says Augustus Wendell, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Art, Art History and Visual Studies and one of the exhibit designers. Latin names for plants are widely used in modern taxonomy, and the AI is likely to have encountered more plants in its training than ancient Roman architecture styles. The AI is a “generic model” asked to “draw on its presuppositions” about Roman buildings, says Felipe. It “wasn’t trained on specifically Roman landscapes…. It just tries its best to interpret it as such.” The results aren’t always completely authentic. “In the background,” Wendell says, “the city is often quite modern Tuscan, not at all ancient Roman.”

“We can use an AI,” Felipe says, “to give us a representation of the past that is compatible with what we believe the past should look like.”

In another part of the exhibit, you can use an AI chatbot to talk to Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar. Caitlin Childers, who helped design the exhibit, explains that the chatbot was trained on Pliny the Elder’s 37 books on natural history. When I asked Pliny what the chatbot was designed for, he told me, “I do not have the ability to access external articles or specific information beyond the knowledge I possess as Pliny the Elder up to the year 79 AD.”

He can give you information on plants and their uses in ancient Rome, but when I asked Pliny what his favorite plant was, he couldn’t decide. “I find it challenging to select a favorite plant among the vast array of flora that the Earth provides. Each plant contributes uniquely to the balance and beauty of nature.” According to Professor Maurizio Forte, “This AI chatbot can speak in English, French, Italian and also in Latin! So it is possible to formulate questions in Latin and requiring a response in Latin or ask a question in English and expect a reply in Latin as well.”

A virtual reality headset lets you see a three-dimensional model of an Etruscan sarcophagus. The real sarcophagus is encased in glass in the Villa Giulia Museum in Rome, but the virtual reality experience puts it right in front of you. The experimental VR-AI installation also allows viewers to ask questions to the sarcophagus out loud. The sarcophagus has a statue of a man and woman, but historians don’t know whose ashes are buried inside. “It’s not important how they look,” says Forte. “It’s important how they want to be.”

The sarcophagus would have been a “symbolic, aristocratic way to show power,” Forte explains. The design of the sarcophagus represents an intentional choice about how its owners wanted the world to see them after their death. “This is eternity,” Forte says. “This is forever.”

The exhibit, called “Rethinking the Past,” is on display at the Rubenstein Arts Center until May 24.

Senior Presenters Explore Cultural Dynamics and Justice Around the World

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Air Travel Consumer Report: February 2024 Numbers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of February 2024 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. 

For February 2024, 0.6% of flights were cancelled, far lower than the 1.8% cancellation rate for February 2023 and the 3.2% cancellation rate for pre-pandemic February 2019.  

DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled and that when they do not, airlines will provide consumers the services promised when a flight is cancelled or delayed because of an airline issue. After a two-year DOT push to improve the passenger experience, the 10 largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline and nine guarantee hotel accommodations. Consumer-friendly information regarding airline commitments to their customers is available on the Department’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard at FlightRights.Gov . DOT also pushed airlines to provide fee-free family seating and rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those of the 10 largest that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.

DOT recently announced two final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees . These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers more than half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees.

In addition, DOT is improving transportation for individuals with disabilities. In July 2023, DOT finalized a rule which requires airlines to make lavatories on new, single-aisle aircraft more accessible. Then, in February 2024, DOT issued a proposal to address other barriers that Americans who use a wheelchair encounter when it comes to air travel by, among other things, proposing to mandate enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passenger with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs.

Further, when necessary, DOT takes enforcement action against airlines and ticket agents that fail to comply with the Department’s aviation consumer protection requirements. In 2023, DOT issued the largest fines in the history of the consumer protection office. This includes a $140 million penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing passengers during the 2022 holiday meltdown. That penalty, which was in addition to over $600 million DOT already ensured was refunded by Southwest to passengers, requires Southwest to establish a $90 million compensation system for passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations beginning April 30, 2024 .  Additionally, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the pandemic began.

In April, DOT announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with 18 state attorneys general to investigate airlines and ticket agents and hold them accountable when they violate aviation consumer protection laws. The partnership significantly expands the Department’s oversight capacity by establishing a new fast-track system prioritizing misconduct cases from state attorneys general who uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices. Through the partnership, DOT will provide state attorneys general with access to the federal complaint database and help ensure that airlines cooperate with state investigations.

Flight Operations

The 549,439 flights operated in February 2024 were 104.35% of the 526,543 flights operated in February 2023. Operated flights in February 2024 were up 4.35% year-over-year from the 526,543 flights operated in February 2023 and down 1.95% month-over-month from 560,352 flights operated in January 2024. 

In February 2024, the 10 marketing network carriers reported 552,691 scheduled domestic flights, 3,252 (0.6%) of which were cancelled. In January 2024, airlines scheduled 582,425 domestic flights, 22,073 (3.8%) of which were cancelled. In February 2023, airlines scheduled 536,229 domestic flights, 9,686 (1.8%) of which were cancelled.

February 2024 On-Time Arrival

In February 2024, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 83.7%, up from both 72.8% in January 2024 and 79.5% in February 2023. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate for 2024 is 78.1%.

Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates February 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

1.    Delta Air Lines Network – 88.4% 2.    American Airlines Network – 84.1% 3.    United Airlines Network – 83.2% 

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates February 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

1.    JetBlue Airways – 74.3% 2.    Spirit Airlines – 77.8% 3.    Frontier Airlines – 79.8%

February 2024 Flight Cancellations

In February 2024, reporting marketing carriers cancelled 0.6% of their scheduled domestic flights, lower than both the rate of 3.8% in January 2024 and the rate of 1.8% in February 2023. The year-to-date cancellation rate for 2024 is 2.2%.

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights February 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

1.    Allegiant Air – 0.1%   2.    Frontier Airlines – 0.2%    3.    American Airlines Network – 0.3%       Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights February 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

1.    JetBlue Airways – 1.4%     2.    Hawaiian Airlines – 1.1%     3.    Alaska Airlines Network – 1.1%    

Complaints About Airline Service

The release of air travel service complaint data in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. The Department is investing in modernizing its system for handling consumer complaints with the support of a Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) investment to improve the customer experience for the tens of thousands of consumers who use the system each year and enable OACP to more effectively engage in oversight of the airline industry. 

As DOT modernizes its system, given the continued high volume of air travel service complaints concerning airlines and ticket agents, DOT has revised how it processes consumer complaints received after June 1, 2023. From June 2023 until the date its system is modernized, DOT intends to revise the ATCR to display consumer submissions (complaints, inquiries, and opinions) as opposed to complaints for this period. The Department will continue to display civil rights complaints in the ATCR in a similar manner as before and anticipates publishing submission and civil rights complaint numbers in June 2024.

Tarmac Delays

In February 2024, airlines reported ten tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared to 71 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights reported in January 2024. In February 2024, airlines reported two tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights, compared to six tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights reported in January 2024. 

Airlines are required to have and adhere to assurances that they will not allow aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without providing passengers the option to deplane, subject to exceptions related to safety, security, and Air Traffic Control related reasons. An exception also exists for departure delays if the airline begins to return the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers by those times.

The Department investigates extended tarmac delays.

Mishandled Baggage

In February 2024, reporting marketing carriers handled 36.1 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.48%, lower than both the rate of 0.75% in January 2024 and the rate of 0.61% in February 2023.

The Department began displaying the mishandled baggage data as a percentage (i.e., per 100 bags enplaned) in January 2022. This is consistent with the manner that the mishandled wheelchairs and scooters rate is calculated and displayed.     In the prior three calendar year reports (2019 to 2021), the Department calculated the mishandled baggage rate based on the number of mishandled bags per 1,000 checked bags. 

Mishandled Wheelchairs and Scooters

In February 2024, reporting marketing carriers reported checking 54,929 wheelchairs and scooters and mishandling 716 for a rate of 1.30% mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, lower than both the rate of 1.48% mishandled in January 2024 and the rate of 1.40% mishandled in February 2023.

To address many of the significant barriers and challenges experienced by passengers who use wheelchairs, the Department has proposed a rulemaking that, if adopted after public comment would, among other actions, make it an automatic violation of the Department’s Air Carrier Access Act regulations for airlines to mishandle a passenger’s wheelchair. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would also enhance training requirements for airline personnel who provide hands-on transfer assistance to passengers and handle wheelchairs. Interested parties may comment on this rulemaking by the docket number DOT-OST-2022-0144 at https://www.regulations.gov .

Bumping/Oversales

Bumping/oversales data, unlike other air carrier data, are reported quarterly rather than monthly. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the 10 U.S. reporting marketing carriers posted an involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, rate of 0.20 per 10,000 passengers, lower than both the rate of 0.35 in the third quarter of 2023 and the rate of 0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Incidents Involving Animals

As part of its IT modernization, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is improving the options for covered carriers to submit their monthly and annual Reports on Incidents Involving Animals During Air Transport. While the new system is being developed, OACP is permitting covered carriers to delay submission of reports on incidents involving animals during air transport. Annual data on such incidents will be published when DOT receives carriers’ complete submissions of the 2023 data. 

In February 2024, carriers reported 2 incidents involving the death, injury, or loss of an animal while traveling by air, up from the zero reports filed in January 2024, but down from the four reports filed in February 2023.

Consumers may file air travel consumer or civil rights complaints online at   https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint , or they may mail a complaint to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-70, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .