Hotels.com® Discovers Differing Travel Habits among Republicans and Democrats

DALLAS, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With the election finally upon us, there is no doubt that President Obama and Mitt Romney are fantasizing about taking an extended vacation after their campaign trails come to an end tomorrow. Over the last year, we've learned a great deal about each of these candidates, including how and where they prefer to travel. Now, Hotels.com® is taking a closer look at the travel habits of the U.S. citizens that support each candidate.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121105/DA05635)

Domestic Affairs
Using insights from Google Consumer Surveys, Hotels.com found that 86 percent of Republican travelers prefer to stay within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean, while Democrats are 11 percent more likely to explore abroad in overseas destinations such as Europe, the Middle East, or Latin America. Not only are the majority of Americans traveling close to home, according to the survey, but they are spending more domestically on hotels as well – 5 percent more over last year, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®).

Democrats: "Put it on my Tab"
Even though the HPI indicates that consumers are spending more on hotel accommodations than in recent years past, the survey results showed that some are still less inclined to splurge on additional travel expenses than others. When polled, Democrats admitted to spending slightly more on items such as clothing and accessories, as well as drinks with friends and family while traveling for business, whereas both Democrats and Republicans were discovered to be just as likely to expense other amenities such as hotel Wi-Fi, flight upgrades, and room service or upscale dining.

Absentee Ballot
While Democrats are squeezing all they can out of their vacation while they're on it, Republicans proved to be the group more likely to try and extend their travel plans beyond their ending point. Of the 1,000 respondents included in the survey, Republicans outweighed Democrats by 11 percent when asked if they would call out sick to gain an extra night on their vacation.

Honest as Abe
Luckily for hoteliers, both political groups delivered similar results when asked if they had ever stolen any common items from a hotel room; the majority of each party (Democrats, 88 percent; Republicans 93 percent) voted "nay" when it came to leaving with more items than they checked in with.

Travel like a Candidate 
Whether you want to plan a last minute trip to celebrate a win (or help heal a loss), or get a jump start on planning a retreat to the favorite spring-time stomping grounds of Mitt and Barack themselves – Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro NH and Martha's Vineyard, Cape Code, MA, respectively. Democrats and Republicans alike are encouraged to check out the Hotels.com "Deals for Me" app on Facebook that will match custom hotel and deal recommendations for you based on popular destinations within your own social network. You can even book with your friends on Facebook too – inauguration road trip to Washington D.C., anyone?

The results quoted in this press release are taken from surveys conducted by Hotels.com using Google Consumer Surveys between October 18 and September 22, 2012. Each question sampled at least 500 unique, randomly sampled internet users across the Google Consumer Surveys publisher network. The average margin of error is +/- 4%.

Press Contacts:
Ashley Aberbach, Finn Partners for Hotels.com
Phone: (212) 715-1524
Email: [email protected]

Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: (469) 335-8442
Email: [email protected]

About the HPI^®

The HPI tracks the real prices paid per room by hotels.com customers around the world using a weighted average based on the number of rooms sold in each of the markets that hotels.com operates. The index started in 2004, and includes all bookings across the almost 140,000 properties in over 60 countries that make up the sample set of hotels from which prices are taken.

About Hotels.com^®

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through its global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travelers with almost 155,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^®, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Hotels.comUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com. LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands. 

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, Finding You The Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2012 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com