Survey says: America’s favorite beaches are red, white and blue

“Beach vacations have an almost universal appeal, and year after year we see people flocking to destinations like Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean,” said Sarah Gavin, vice president of global communications, Expedia.com. “The flight time is quick from many parts of the U.S., and when booked as a package on Expedia.com, travelers can find huge savings of up to $1,100² – great news if you’re in need of some sand and sun before summer ends.”

Americans Spend the Most Time and Money Getting Beach Ready
This year’s report looked at how travelers prepare for upcoming beach holidays – from dieting and wellness to getting pampered at the salon. Globally, beachgoers begin their readiness routines an average of 40 days in advance of a trip, and more than a quarter (29 percent) of Americans spend more time packing than on vacation.

The biggest budget busters are Americans, who spend around 15 percent more than the global average on things like shopping and salon visits in preparation for their beach holidays, and 53 percent more on the actual vacation, with the most money spent on accommodations.

The Slob Continues Reign as Public Beach Enemy Number One
For two years running, the best way to anger your fellow beach-goers is to leave a trail of garbage in your wake, 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’s report, the most annoying beach behaviors for Americans are:

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

Beach Fear Factors
More than 80 percent of Americans surveyed have been on a beach vacation and nearly all of them reported they enjoyed it, but there are still some scenarios that worry even the most avid beachgoer. Globally, theft was the most-dreaded occurrence, with 70 percent of worldwide respondents listing fear of having something stolen as a major concern. And while globally, more than half of the respondents were nervous about shark attacks (60 percent) and murky water (63 percent), for Americans specifically, the quality of the hotel (61 percent) and the high