Survey: Leisure travel could increase in 2010

Good news for the travel sector. A new survey from TripAdvisor reveals that 41 percent of Americans are looking to spend more on leisure travel in 2010 than they did in 2009.

In addition, 92 percent of Americans are planning to take at least two leisure trips in 2010 – a projected increase from 89 percent this year. The survey also revealed that 66 percent of Americans say the economy will not adversely impact their travel plans for 2010.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the swine flu – or the H1N1 – 88 percent say they are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling. At the same time 77 percent say they are washing their hands more often than normal when on the road – a drastic increase from the 17 percent of a year ago.

“If it isn’t already, hand sanitizer should be among the first things travelers think to pack these days,” Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, said in a news release.