Does the Memorial Day holiday break already have you looking ahead to a summer getaway?
If you answered yes, you aren’t alone. A new survey from brokerage service provider TD Ameritrade indicates that 78 percent of Americans plan to embark on a summer vacation this year. The poll was conducted by Research Now, and surveyed more than 1,000 investors who had at least $10,000 in investable assets and were 18 years old or older.
In a positive sign for the nation’s economy, one in every four poll takers in this demographic – 26 percent – say they’ll be spending more this summer than they did in the previous five years, a figure that was 10 percent higher than the percentage of survey respondents who indicated they’ll be reducing their leisure spending.
“While uncertainty remains, there have been good indicators that the economy is getting stronger and Americans are starting to feel more optimistic,” Carrie Braxdale, managing director of investor services at TD Ameritrade, said in a release. “That optimism can help fuel spending, so it’s not surprising to see that so many people plan to travel this summer.”
Where Are Americans Traveling
According to TD Ameritrade’s researchers, the large price tags that can accompany summer vacations don’t “seem to be holding people back” this year. In addition to the 26 percent of Americans who will spend more, 55 percent say they won’t be changing their spending habits from 2012, while 48 percent say they’ll venture more than 400 miles within the United States for their getaways.
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Twenty-nine percent of respondents indicated they will be leaving North America and 11 percent report that they’ll be visiting America’s nearby neighbors Canada and Mexico. Only 4 percent said they’ll be taking a stay-at-home vacation this summer.
Advice For This Year’s Vacationers
While optimistic about its findings, TD Ameritrade cautioned vacationing Americans to keep their savings goals in mind.
“Be sure to assess how a vacation fits into your long-term savings goals and make sure you don’t overspend and accrue unwanted debt,” Braxdale said.
Braxdale noted that Americans who expect to travel should start by planning early, determining the trip’s costs and setting a vacation budget so that any future bills are not affected. She also suggests that travelers attempt to reduce their impulse credit card spending and consider their retirement when engaging in trip planning and budgeting.
To view these statistics in a colorful infographic from the company, view below. 
