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Increased confidence in personal finances and a reduced fear of job loss appear to have sparked an increase in leisure travel interest among Americans this holiday season.
According to a survey authored by travel marketing communications firm MMGY Global, 60 percent of travelers plan to take a vacation at some point over the next six months.
That figure is up significantly from 56 percent in 2013.
"The perceived affordability of travel, and personal finances consumers now state they have available to travel, continue to show the greatest improvement over last year," said MMGY Global vice president of insights Steve Cohen in a statement.
"The significant change in these numbers suggests that travelers are feeling more secure about their financial future and are ready to increase their spending on vacations," he added.
Among the 13 financial factors that typically reduce demand for leisure travel, job loss and credit card debt each saw a 13 percent drop from 2013 to 2014. Job loss remains the biggest concern among those surveyed, but is down to 42 percent in 2014, compared to 55 percent a year ago.
The cost of gas is also much less of a concern this winter, dropping from 38 percent in 2013 to 27 percent in 2014.
But decreased concern isn't the only factor behind 2014's increase. As the survey points out, traveler satisfaction is on the rise, with cruise lines experiencing the biggest jump, up 17 percent from last year.
Satisfaction with airlines (12 percent increase) and lodging (eight percent increase) is also up significantly from 2013.
What's more, of the 60 percent of respondents who plan to travel in the next six months, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) expect to spend more on their trip, while only 13 percent anticipate they'll spend less.
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