Americans weigh in on Cuba Travel and Dream Destinations in nationwide Travel Leaders Group survey

PLYMOUTH, Minn – The move to normalize relations with Cuba will have a direct impact on Americans seeking to vacation legally on the island nation – just as they can in other parts of the Caribbean or Mexico.

However, in the newest Travel Leaders Group travel survey, a mere 8.8% of those polled said they would go to Cuba immediately when all restrictions are lifted and only 14.9% stated they would go when they believed Cuba was ready for American tourists.  Additional findings in this year’s survey include the top international “bucket list” destination for Americans is Australia; and more than 93% of survey participants have taken or will take a leisure trip in 2015.  The survey was conducted by Travel Leaders Group – a $20 billion powerhouse in the travel industry – from April 3 to April 30, 2015, and includes responses from 3,371 consumers throughout the United States.

“Cuba has frequently been in the headlines as U.S. relations normalize. Our survey demonstrates there are definitely intrepid travelers who can’t wait to experience Cuba as it is today, before commercialization and modernization change it dramatically,” statedBarry Liben, CEO of Travel Leaders Group. “For now, over 35% of those polled seem to be taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. In some respects, that’s understandable.  Travelers have cultivated their dream wish lists for years and, for most, Cuba wasn’t a legal option until very recently.”

“Take Australia for example.  Every other year, since 2009, we’ve surveyed consumers on their ‘dream international destination’ andAustralia has always been on top,” added Liben. “From its cosmopolitan cities and rugged outback to its wine country and amazing coastal regions, including the Great Barrier Reef, there is a phenomenal amount to see and do in Australia – and language really isn’t a barrier for Americans.”

Liben continued, “Whether 2015 is the year Americans tackle their bucket list, we do know that 85.2% indicated they will spend the same or more on leisure travel this year.  That’s a very good indicator of economic confidence. Add to that the relative strength of the U.S. Dollar and we have been advising travelers that if they have the time and means, this is the year to visit Europe.”

Here are the initial findings from Travel Leaders Group’s “2015 Consumer Travel Survey,” in which 3,371 Americans participated, nationwide:

Cuba Travel:

The number of Americans interested in travel to Cuba if all U.S. Government restrictions are lifted has increased slightly over 2014. Conversely, the number who indicated they have no interest in traveling to Cuba has decreased substantially since last year.

2015                2014

I‘ve  already been there                                                                                             2.0%              1.6%

I’d go immediately                                                                                                     8.8%             6.9%

I would go as soon as I believe Cuba was ready for Americans                       14.9%           11.5%

I might consider going                                                                                             35.4%          32.4%

I have no interest in going                                                                                       39.0%         47.6%