IT Italian Trade - Volume 2 Issue 3 - Italy-America Chamber of ...

.it italian trade
Office of Travel and Tourism on the last update in
December 2004). Also, Italy ranked as the 5th most visited
country after Mexico, Canada, the UK and France. 41% of
all US visitors to Italy originated from the "Bost-Wash" corridor,
which includes the major cities of Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. 27% departed
from New York's JFK and Newark-Liberty. 36% collected
travel information with the help of internet. 23% booked
their air travel on-line. 42% contacted a travel agency. 21%
contacted the airlines' reservation office/toll-free number.
3% acquired a travel package from a tour operator. 8%
used, when available, their company's internal travel service/office.
By looking at some demographic data, we discover that
the "average" US traveler normally is an adult (93%), male
(59%), featuring an average age of 45.5 years who travels
alone (43%) or in good company (26% with his/her partner/companion/significant
other; 22% with his/her family;
and 12% with friends).
The "average" US traveler is a professional (38%) or a manager
(28%), with an annual family income of $112,000
Student travelers represents 7% of the total while retired
people 11%.
On average, the per-capita travel expenses is $1,916.00 for
a packaged tour purchased through a tour operator, and
$2,683.00 for an incentive travel.
In addition to the above, an average of $1,206.00 is spent
in Italy for personal purchases, gifts, other.
What are the reasons that induces so many people to
select Italy for a travel experience?
.18
First of all, it is the Italian way of life with all it implies:
good cuisine, cooking-classes, wine-tasting, design, fashion,
local traditions as well as spa and wellness treatments.
Then, the classic Italian icons like art and architecture,
history and archaeology, and music.
Also, the increasing interest in taking Italian-language
classes plays a role.
Italy is also a major entry port for the European Union and
it is easy to combine two or more countries of the Union
within the same travel itinerary.
Very important is the travel segment defined as VFR
(Visiting Friends and Relatives), due to the large Italian
community present in the US.
Last but not least, the MICE (Meeting, Incentive travel,
Convention. Exhibition) travel segment is a recent but very
significant market niche, with Rome, Florence, Venice,
Tuscany, Capri and the Amalfi Peninsula as the six main
destinations for meeting or incentive travels. �
Data Provided by: Conde Nast Traveller, "2004 Readers' Choice
Award"