Americans say they are willing to spend a median amount of $1,000 on a leisure trip. But let’s imagine for a minute that you could travel anywhere in the world with all expenses paid (but you had to leave the United States), where would you choose to go?
Remember – you can go anywhere…
Well, the winning destination (according to Americans) is Australia, with Italy as first runner-up, and they are #1 and #2 by a good margin, with Italy’s Western European pals (England, Ireland and France) rounding out the top 5. In fact, Japan is the only Asian country to crack the top 10, and there are exactly zero African, Eastern European and Middle-Eastern countries represented.
Of note, if all expenses are paid for,
- About 1 in 10 Americans say they would still refuse to leave the United States to visit another country, while
- About 1 in 3 Americans say they would go absolutely anywhere, you name it.
When thinking about traveling around the world for a full year (again with all expenses paid and no consequences to work), more than 9 in 10 Americans say they would do it if they:
- Could choose their travel companions at their discretion (47%)
- Could go only with their immediate family (45%)
- Could travel with only one person of their choice (39%)
- Had to go alone (13%)
It seems like an amazing opportunity, and I like to believe me that I am a live-life-to-the-fullest kind of guy. But putting the financial constraints aside, a sabbatical from my life for an entire year seems nearly impossible to comprehend, especially if I had to go solo.
And the decision appears to be more than logistical for many Americans, perhaps emotional or psychological. Seniors (who likely have the fewest demands on their time, family constraints and work commitments) are by far the least likely to say yes.
We baby boomers claim to be greater risk-takers than the generation before us. So how do you think our cohort would handle this opportunity once we cross the senior age-threshold? And what about you… what would you personally choose right now in your life?
Betti says
May 3, 2012 at 9:39 amI’d leave in a minute….and then I think about not seeing the grandboys for a whole year and I back-pedal a bit! I’d go, but I’d come home for the holidays. And, I’d go anywhere. The folks who don’t choose Asia or Africa or South America are really reflecting a lack of knowledge of the area or understanding of what wonderful experiences lie ahead if they go to those places. Been to all of them and must say I learned more than I ever imagined I would. So chief on my Bucket List is Australia and New Zealand and Japan, but then come the countries that your survey says most people would not choose….I want to go back to South America, especially Chile, and to Africa, especially South Africa and to Turkey, and the Baltic countries, and…how do I sign up for this no financial constraints?