Results from the latest Travelers Advantage online poll showed a definite increase in leisure travel in 2004. Two-thirds of those responding to the poll at http://www.travelersadvantage.com/ said they are planning to vacation more in 2004 - and only 5 percent said they plan to travel less this year. The remaining 27 percent said they plan to travel the same as in 2003. The online poll was conducted from November 2003 through March 2004.

"Based on our Top of the World poll at http://www.travelersadvantage.com/, we forecast leisure travel will increase from 2003 levels," Travelers Advantage Vice President Julia Ryan said. "The poll results also suggest Americans are very interested in Caribbean vacations, visiting Hawaii and travel to European destinations."

"The most popular Escape of Your Dreams Vacation destinations among poll participants included European Cities such as London, Paris and Rome (26 percent), Hawaiian Island Escapes (22 percent) and Caribbean Vacations (19 percent)," she added. "When asked for their Top Romantic Vacation destinations, poll participants chose Caribbean Island Getaways (33 percent), Hawaiian Island Escapes (24 percent) and Caribbean Cruises such as those visiting ports like Nassau and St. Thomas (16 percent) as their top three choices."

"Looking ahead to this summer, 28 percent of poll respondents saw Beach Time as their top priority. Some 21 percent of those answering this question identified Road Trips or Caribbean Vacations as their choice for a great summer vacation in 2004. Caribbean Vacations and Orlando were the top two family destinations identified in the online poll," Ryan said. Great deals are currently available on hotels ranging from the Beachcomber in Miami to the Hotel Preston in Nashville and the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel in California. Caribbean Vacations, Hawaiian Island Escapes and Cruising in Warm Waters were the top three choices of poll participants for 2004 winter vacations.

The Travelers Advantage Top of the World survey's strong travel forecast for leisure travel in 2004 was reinforced by another poll from The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Based on the feedback from its best guests, the poll showed more than 41 percent anticipate taking between 4 and 6 trips, 19 percent between 7 and 10 trips, and 16 percent more than 10 trips during 2004. Of those polled, almost half (44 percent) said they were more likely to travel this year than last with 56 percent choosing Europe as their destination, and nearly 29 percent opting for North America. For 52 percent of these globetrotters, resorts and island getaways were the preferred destinations, while 49 percent said they would be more likely to visit major cultural capitals.