{"id":18087,"date":"2013-07-17T13:59:55","date_gmt":"2013-07-17T13:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=18087"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:46:51","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:46:51","slug":"expedia-2013-flip-flop-report-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/expedia-2013-flip-flop-report-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia 2013 Flip Flop Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Annual Harris Interactive study of beach habits examines global opinions about sharks, bikini briefs, nudity, theft, sunscreen, attire and much more<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bellevue, Wash., July 17, 2013 \u2013 <\/span>Expedia.com<\/span><\/a>\u00ae, the world\u2019s leading online travel company, today released the results of the 2013 Flip Flop Report, an annual study of behavior and preferences among beachgoers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. 8,606 consumers who had either taken a beach vacation in the past year or plan to do so in the next year participated in the 2013 study across 21 countries. Harris Interactive, conducting the study online on Expedia\u2019s behalf, asked global consumers to opine on a wide range of beach-related questions, such as comfort with nudity, fear of sharks and tolerance of bathing suits such as a Speedo. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nearly half of all respondents worldwide (46%) took a <\/span>beach vacation<\/span><\/a> in the past twelve months, and two thirds (64%) indicate that they are either \u201cvery or somewhat likely\u201d to take a beach vacation in the next year. More information on the 2013 Flip Flop Report, including a downloadable infographic, photos and countless beach deals, can be found at <\/span>https:\/\/viewfinder.expedia.com\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe study the beach behavior across continents because it makes us smarter \u2013 if we know up front that American beachgoers love last-minute package deals to Mexico, we can deliver the best pricing, programs and offers at the top hotels to match,\u201d said John Morrey, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s also frankly a lot of fun to dig into this data and we promise not to make any judgments. Our job is to make sure that no matter what your beach <\/span>preference, you can find your perfect beach vacation at Expedia.com. This week Expedia announced our annual Insiders\u2019 Select\u2122 best hotels list. There\u2019s never been a better time to plan the perfect beach vacation.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among those who have taken a beach vacation or are likely to take a beach vacation in the next 12 months, the beach, unsurprisingly, remains the top vacation type<\/strong>, outranking \u201chistorical\/cultural sightseeing\u201d, \u201cvisits with friends\/family\u201d, \u201ctheme parks\u201d, \u201cskiing\u201d, \u201cadventure sports\u201d, \u201cspectator events\u201d and \u201ccasino\/gambling trips.\u201d Nearly one third (31%) of Americans prefer the beach, while 28% prefer historical\/cultural sightseeing and 17% prefer seeing friends and family. The French, Spanish, Dutch, Australians, Japanese and Singaporeans elevate cultural sightseeing above the beach, while New Zealanders were the lone nation to view visits with friends and family as the #1 vacation type.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

European beachgoers were the most permissive with regard to toplessness on the beach. <\/span><\/strong>On the whole, across all countries:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n