While there were few changes in popularity of U.S. city destinations for the summer of 2003, the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA)/ Fodor's Summer Hot Spots Survey shows that Americans who travel internationally are choosing to stay closer to the United States and are spending less on trips.

The results of two surveys conducted by ASTA show that the war in Iraq has caused a change and decline in total travel agency bookings.

Among the 400 ASTA-member travel agents polled, many of the destinations they are booking for summer 2003 travel are the same as last year's, signaling that Americans continue to return to their favorite cities. With 24.8 percent of the vote, Orlando came in as the number one summer destination for 2003.

Las Vegas (22.2 %) and New York (8.9 %) scored second and third, respectively. San Francisco (7.3 %) moved up to fourth place, while Honolulu (6.2 %) came in fifth. 

Florida again is the most popular state, accounting for nearly 29 percent of all responses. Nevada, bolstered by Las Vegas' popularity, comes in second with 21.1 percent of responses. California is third with nearly 15 percent followed by Hawaii with about 11 percent. The top four state destinations appear in the same order as the 2002 Summer Hot Spots. 

Completing the top 10 destinations are Los Angeles (3.8 %), San Diego (3.6 %), Seattle (2.4 %), Miami (2.3 %) and Phoenix (2.1 %), which moved into the top 10 from 14th place last year. New this year is San Antonio, Texas. Ft. Lauderdale and Atlanta, which were on the list in 2002, did not make it this season.

Average spending on trips booked for the 2003 summer months is down, according to 69.2 percent of responding agents. An additional 26.5 percent believe spending is about the same as it was last year. The remaining 4.4 percent said spending has increased. 

Source: Travel Commerce Conference & Expo

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