If you can stay in touch with family members on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social media outlets, then is there is less a need to get in the car or plane to visit them in person?
Indeed, 12% of respondents in Expedia's The American Traveler survey, conducted by Harris Interactive February 16-20, indicated they are less likely to trek to visit family in person because of social media. Some 2,262 American adults ages 18 and older took part in the survey.
In contrast, 25% of participants said they are more likely to visit family because of social media.
You know, all of those Facebook status updates must bring families closer together.
Travel marketers should be aware that 75% of respondents noted they use social media when they travel and, among them, 51% said they take to social media regularly or periodically during the trip, the survey found.
In-destination travel offers, anyone?
The study confirmed that friends and family are the prime source of advice on survey participant's hotel decisions, although friends (44%) slightly trump family (40%).
The study considered friends and family as a "review source" and after them, the next most cited review source was hotel websites, the survey found.
Among other findings, 13% of survey participants stated they have bought travel in flash sales, and the most likely to do so were people aged 18-34 (24%) and travelers living in the western US (21%).