These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Look for More Holiday Travelers This Year
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Americans appear slightly more likely to travel this holiday season than they were a year ago.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 17% of Adults say they are planning to travel away from home during the holiday season, up from 14% last year at this time. Seventy-eight percent (78%) have no travel plans, comparable to findings in December 2008 . (To see survey question wording, click here .)
Ten percent (10%) say they are more likely to travel this holiday season compared to previous years, while 51% say they are less likely to do so. Thirty-five percent (35%) say their travel plans are about the same. This, too, looks a lot like two years ago, whereas last December only seven percent (7%) were more likely to travel and 62% were less likely.
The economy seems slightly less to blame this year as well. Forty-two percent (42%) say the bad economy makes them less likely to travel this holiday season compared to years past, but 49% say that's not the case for them. In December 2009, the responses were even on this question.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 8-9, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology .
Sixty-three percent (63%) of those who plan to travel over the holiday season are more likely to go by car, while 30% say they're more likely to travel by plane. Six percent (6%) are more likely to opt for a bus.
Thirty-five percent (35%) have friends and family traveling to their home this holiday season. Fifty-eight percent (58%) are not expecting company. That marks little change from last year at this time.
Women are slightly more likely than men to be traveling away from home this holiday season. Those ages 30 to 49 are more likely to be on the road than those in other age groups.
Americans who have children living with them appear slightly more inclined to travel this year rather than to host visitors in their homes. Those with children are also more likely than those without to blame the bad economy for limiting their travel plans.
An overwhelming majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, and for most of those who celebrate, it's a religious holiday rather than a secular one despite the strong commercial overtones of the season.
Americans generally rate Christmas as the nation's most important holiday , closely followed by the Fourth of July.
Very few Americans are offended when someone wishes them a "Merry Christmas," but most are more likely to say "Happy Holidays" to someone else rather than risk offending them.
Still, as Americans crowd stores nationwide, most prefer being greeted by signs that say "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays."
Americans are being a little less tight with their money this holiday season, but most still plan to spend less than they did a year ago.
Sixty percent (60%) of Americans plan to decorate their homes this holiday season. Sixty-eight percent (68%) say they will have a Christmas tree in their home this year.