Introduction to Travel Personalities
A new study of 2,000 U.S. travelers found that most people adopt a travel personality when traveling based on what they like to do on vacation. The study, commissioned by Go City and conducted by Talker Research, found that travelers abroad embody one of five main personality types: 37% are “Masterminds,” 26% are “Thrillseekers,” 6% are “Vacation Scouts,” 16% are “Connoisseurs,” and 14% are “Floaters.”
Characteristics of Each Travel Personality
- Masterminds are most likely to enjoy travel planning: they are most excited about booking trips and hotels (35%) and purchasing tickets to sporting events (14%).
- Thrillseekers want adventure – exploring local environments (33%), city tours (24%), museums (23%), amusement parks (18%) and historic buildings (14%).
- Vacation Scouts are always prepared for what the day brings: whether it’s relaxing by the pool or beach (36%), attending concerts (14%), finding public parks (13%) or finding pop culture hotspots (8%).
- Floaters just want to be along for the ride without the pressure of having to plan anything. They want to see the sights (27%) and meet locals (13%).
- Connoisseurs are in control of everything food-related – 64% of them want to be in control of whether they find good food or not.
Common Travel Preferences
Despite these differences, everyone agreed that it’s best to start exploring the place on the first day of vacation (38%), check the availability of nearby attractions (23%), look for restaurants (22%) or simply take a nap (9%). The top activity that appeals to people the most when traveling is finding good food (48%) – more than local exploration (27%) and historical museums (17%) combined. Exploring cities is the adventure that overwhelmingly appealed to three out of four respondents, as opposed to hiking, shopping or thrill-seeking.
Planning and Budgeting
69 percent of people said they planned entire trips around a specific experience, such as attending a concert or seeing a famous building. If they enjoyed the trip, three out of four agreed that they would happily extend their trip by a day; on average, they would spend $1,156 for the additional 24 hours. However, more than a third (37%) said they would like to keep the cost under $499. A majority of people agreed that it is important that every single trip stays within budget (80%) and that every single trip detail is well planned (55%).
Travel Mishaps and Priorities
Nearly four in five (79%) travelers have experienced classic travel mishaps. The most common were forgetting important items while packing (50%), getting lost in a place you’ve never been before (33%), losing personal items (27%) and missing transportation (16%). To stay within budget, people would forgo buying souvenirs (46%), upgrading hotel rooms (46%) and eating out at good restaurants (38%).
First Steps in Travel Planning
When it comes to planning, respondents prioritize the following steps in order:
- Book flights
- Book accommodation
- Book a rental car (if necessary)
- Plan daily activities
- Plan what you want to pack
- Make restaurant reservations
- Plan nighttime activities
Conclusion
The study highlights the diversity in travel personalities and preferences, yet underscores the common goal of enjoying trips and trying new experiences. Understanding these personalities and preferences can help in planning more tailored and enjoyable travel experiences.
