2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the October edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review designed to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest travel trends. This month, we polled travelers to learn about their fall travel aspirations, including trips to view fall foliage and experience spooky Halloween destinations. We’ll also touch upon how travel insurance can come in handy should your Fall travel plans turn scary, and how travel insurance saved the day during a parent’s worst nightmare.
Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you’d like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at aparry@mmgyglobal.com. For more information on our travel insurance programs, please visit www.TravelGuard.com.
In this month’s issue:
PULSE POLL: FALL TRAVEL TRENDS & “SPOOKTACULAR” INSIGHT
TRAVEL TIP: PACK A TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN FOR COVERAGE DURING SCARY EVENTS
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: A PARENT’S WORST NIGHTMARE
Travel Guard recently polled travelers to learn their thoughts and preferences surrounding fall travel – from leaf peeping to haunted houses. Results are below.
Supernatural Travels: From ghosts and vampires to Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster, the world is filled with reported sightings of supernatural beings. The majority of travelers polled (42%) chose Count Dracula’s home of Transylvania as the scariest destination in the world. Salem, Mass. and its historical witch hunts evoke fear in 21% of those polled, followed by the ghosts of New Orleans, La., (12%,) the Tower of London in London, England (10%,) the Scottish Highlands where the Loch Ness Monster is rumored to reside (8%) and Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., home of the Headless Horseman (7%.)
Scaredy Cats: There’s no better time than Halloween to enjoy a good old-fashioned scare, but only 13% of travelers polled said that they have visited a destination because it was rumored to be haunted, while 87% prefer to steer clear of ghosts. However, money talks, with a whopping 80% of travelers declaring that they would stay overnight in a haunted house if offered $10,000 dollars.
Nightmares at 30,000 Feet: Any number of things can go awry while traveling by air, with more than half (55%) of travelers polled citing food poisoning on a long flight as the worst travel nightmare imaginable, followed by the ominous middle seat on an airplane (20%,) accidentally flying to the wrong city (9%) and having an unpleasant seatmate (7%.)
Things That Go Bump on Your Trip: Travelers were asked what scares them the most during a trip, with 42% of those polled citing getting sick or injured while away as the most frightening possible situation, followed by potential flight delays or cancellations (23%,) losing travel documents (19%,) encountering bad weather (8%) and possible trip cancellation (8%.)
Leaf Peeping: Vibrant colors in the trees signal that autumn has arrived. According to nearly half (49%) of travelers polled, the Northeast is the most appealing destination for leaf peeping, with other popular regions including Europe (14%,) the Midwest (9%,) Southeast (5%,) Canada (5%) and the Northwest (4%.)
Not Falling For Foliage: Despite the enticing beauty of fall foliage, just 5% of travelers noted this as the primary reason they choose to travel in the fall. Rather, more than one-third of travelers polled (36%) cited anniversaries or trips with family and friends as the key reason for traveling during this time, followed by smaller crowds (28%,) off season discounts (18%) and cooler weather (12%.)
Savoring Shoulder Season: Cooler weather, traditionally lower rates and smaller crowds bring a wealth of vacation options for fall travelers. Cruises (25%) and European escapes (23%) rank as the most popular types of trips in autumn, with group tours (16%,) scenic drives (16%) and Caribbean or island trips (9%) rounding out the list.
TRAVEL TIP: PACK INSURANCE FOR COVERAGE DURING SCARY EVENTS
From cancelled flights to natural disasters and medical emergencies, any number of frightening and unexpected events can occur while traveling. However, travel also offers endless escapes, breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences from around the world. It’s good to have a plan ready be prepared in case the unexpected happens, to ensure your dream vacation doesn’t turn into your worst nightmare.
Travel Guard travel insurance plans include trip cancellation coverage for the unforeseeable events, including medical expenses, coverage for lost or stolen luggage and travel documents, delayed or cancelled flights, baggage delay, reimbursement of non-refundable deposits and more. The plan also offers an optional Cancel for Any Reason upgrade, should a traveler’s worst nightmare come true 24-hour assistance for last minute trip changes is also included.
To compare Travel Guard’s travel insurance and assistance service plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: A PARENT’S WORST NIGHTMARE
Isabel M. of Minnesota planned a trip to the Philippines to introduce her two-year-old daughter to their culture and heritage. Unfortunately, the joy of their homecoming was met with uncertainty when Isabel’s daughter had a difficult time adapting to the hot, humid weather and local food and water.
As her dehydration increased, Isabel called her husband, John, back in Minnesota. Their daughter’s eyes were becoming glossy; she was unable to keep food and water down and was rapidly losing weight. Knowing they had a travel insurance plan to fall back on, the couple decided to admit their daughter to the local hospital. Travel Guard’s assistance team provided 24/7 medical assistance services every step of the way.
“I felt as if I was literally talking to our neighbor next door. Travel Guard was very professional, courteous and genuinely concerned about the welfare of my daughter,” said John.
After four days of treatment, their daughter’s condition improved, and she and Isabel went on with their vacation. Upon returning home, the couple submitted all necessary paperwork to Travel Guard and their claim was paid within three weeks.
“I strongly recommend Travel Guard to anyone traveling overseas, especially with children,” said John. “Travel Guard is an A+ company with outstanding customer service.”
About Travel Guard
Travel Guard Worldwide, Inc., a Chartis company and worldwide leader in travel insurance and assistance, provides products and services to millions of travelers around the globe, including a wide range of emergency services through its wholly-owned assistance centers located in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Travel Guard helps leisure and business travelers alike solve problems and manage risks. Travel Guard’s global reach, unparalleled service quality and proven operational capabilities allows clients to receive best-in-class care. Travel Guard’s suite of technology platforms enables seamless integration with all major travel distribution systems and supplier channels. The travel insurance products marketed by Travel Guard are underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our websites at www.travelguard.com and www.travelguard.ca.
The coverage listed here is for U.S. residents only. To learn more about coverage in Canada, please call 1-866-648-8422.
This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 175 Water Street, New York, NY 10038. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Travel assistance services are provided by Travel Guard.
If you’d like more information about Travel Guard news, contact:
Carol Mueller
1.715.295.9123
Carol.Mueller@travelguard.com
Shannon Semmerling
1.715.295.0950
Shannon.Semmerling@travelguard.com
Ashley Norman / Anna Parry
MMGY Global
1.212.219.7560 ext 6777 / 6766
anorman@mmgyglobal.com
aparry@mmgyglobal.com
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