KEY POINTS:
Interest rates may be up, along with prices for consumer goods and fuel, but Kiwis don't seem to be letting this affect their love for traveling overseas in the first half of 2008, according to MasterCard research out today.
New Zealanders are expected to continue to pull out their passports, with the year-on-year growth in outbound travel anticipated to reach 6.5 per cent despite economic factors and environmental consequences, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Travel.
The latest report reveals that one million New Zealanders will travel overseas in the first half of 2008, continuing their reputation as one of the world's most traveled populations.
It also seems that awareness of carbon footprints and global warming has not stopped kiwis' enthusiasm to travel. Despite being high on the global agenda, global warming and its effects on climatic conditions will not be affecting business travel plans for 78.1 per cent of New Zealanders.
According to the survey, personal travelers prefer to book 43 per cent of flights and 55 per cent of accommodation on the internet.
Only 8 per cent still use traveler's cheques.
Other key travel findings from the MasterCard report include:
* New Zealanders largely travel for business, with 42.3 per cent listing this as their primary reason for travel compared to 39 per cent who travel for pleasure.
* Australia is the favoured destination for both personal and business travel for New Zealanders, with 58.6 per cent of respondents naming it as their preferred destination for personal travel and 53.8 per cent of business travelers visiting our neighbours across the Tasman in the last 12 months.
* Business travel is on the increase for New Zealanders with the majority saying they will travel more (42.3 per cent) and 26.9 per cent anticipating they will travel less.
* Nationally, business travelers favour making their own travel arrangements (50.0 per cent). More than a quarter (28.8 per cent) prefers to use their company's travel department while 21.2 per cent prefer to use a travel agent.
* New Zealanders prefer to fly with Air New Zealand (53.8 per cent), Qantas (21.2 per cent) and Singapore Airlines (13.5 per cent).
* Those traveling for pleasure are likely to use word of mouth to decide where to go for a trip, with 46.5 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed stating this as their key source of travel information.
* In New Zealand, personal travelers believe safety and security issues are the biggest concerns (31.2 per cent), followed by falling sick (27.4 per cent) and losing one's bags (26.1 per cent).
* General sightseeing and visiting scenic spots are the favoured travel activity for 50.3 per cent of New Zealanders, followed by rest and relaxation (49.7 per cent) and visiting family/friends/relatives (44.6 per cent).
* Holidaying New Zealanders shop for apparel and personal effects (68.8 per cent) the most, followed by local souvenirs/antiques/arts/crafts (46.5 per cent) and food items (22.9 per cent).
