{"id":23474,"date":"2017-06-29T12:00:10","date_gmt":"2017-06-29T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=23474"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:05:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:05:06","slug":"expedia-2017-flip-flop-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/expedia-2017-flip-flop-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia 2017 Flip Flop Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Independence Day weekend is all about fireworks, barbecues, and the beach. So what better to get you dreaming about the long weekend than Expedia\u2019s annual Flip Flop Report<\/a>\u2014a global expos\u00e9 on beach attitudes, behaviors, and bucket lists.<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, we present you with some of our favorite findings from this year\u2019s report. And, if you really want to engage your senses, pair this read with a big whiff of coconut-scented SPF and a solo cup filled with your favorite domestic brew. Pure fireworks, I tell you.<\/p>\n

Star-spangled board shorts, anyone?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we gear up to celebrate Fourth of July, it seems fitting that U.S. destinations dominate the list of the most popular places Americans like to get their beach on. Amongst the biggest factors for U.S. respondents are clean, safe beaches, great weather, and minimal travel time, with Florida, California, and Hawaii boasting the most popular beaches in the country. According to the report, the top 10 beach holiday destinations for Americans are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. United States (other) \u2013 43 percent<\/li>\n
  2. Florida \u2013 35 percent<\/li>\n
  3. California \u2013 29 percent<\/li>\n
  4. Hawaii \u2013 22 percent<\/li>\n
  5. Mexico \u2013 18 percent<\/li>\n
  6. Aruba \u2013 13 percent<\/li>\n
  7. Puerto Rico \u2013 10 percent<\/li>\n
  8. Brazil \u2013 9 percent<\/li>\n
  9. Jamaica \u2013 7 percent<\/li>\n
  10. Australia \u2013 7 percent<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Beach etiquette<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For two years running, the best way to anger your fellow beachgoers is to leave a trail of garbage in your wake, with “The Slob” growing in unpopularity by 17 percent this year. “The Sand-flinger” also saw a boost in 2017, moving up four slots to overtake “The Loud Mouth” for a position in the top three. According to this year\u2019s report, the most annoying beach behaviors for Americans are:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The Slob \u2013 65 percent<\/li>\n
    2. The Inattentive Parent – 52 percent<\/li>\n
    3. The Sand-flinger \u2013 49 percent<\/li>\n
    4. The Boozer – 49 percent<\/li>\n
    5. The DJ – 45 percent<\/li>\n
    6. The Encroacher – 45 percent<\/li>\n
    7. The Loud Mouth \u2013 39 percent<\/li>\n
    8. The Paparazzi – 38 percent<\/li>\n
    9. The Fisherman – 36 percent<\/li>\n
    10. The Ogler – 34 percent<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Beach fear factors<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Even though most of us enter a state of complete zen when we think of the beach\u2014waves crashing, salty air mixing with coconut-scented sunblock, the perfect playlist coming through our headphones\u2014there are some not-so-idyllic realities of the public beach. The top fear? Leaving your towel and beach bag to frolic in the waves, returning only to find out your cell phone and favorite sunhat have disappeared. Theft was the top concern globally, worrying more than 70 percent of respondents, leading us to wonder whether there\u2019s an untapped market for portable beach security systems\u2026<\/p>\n

      Keeping it PG<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Ahhh,<\/em> summer love. The beach is a natural place for romance and turns out most Americans go on beach holidays with a partner (73 percent). But if you happen to be soaking up the sun with family, don\u2019t worry, the only sex on the beach you\u2019re likely to encounter comes in a cocktail glass, since only a fifth of global beachgoers (20 percent) have engaged in this racy behavior. According to worldwide respondents, the most common romantic activity of all is a beach walk at sunset (59 percent), which is an instant classic.<\/p>\n

      Other findings<\/strong><\/p>\n