ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer officially begins this week, according to a new survey, just over half (54%) of U.S. adults say they have taken or will take a vacation this summer. For many, their summer vacations will consist of visiting family and friends while others will go to the beach or take a scenic trip. U.S. adults were again more likely to say that if they could spend a vacation in any country in the world, outside the United States, and not have to worry about the cost, Australia would be their choice. Rounding out the top five vacation destination choices for U.S. adults are Italy (No. 2), Great Britain (No. 3), Ireland (No. 4) and France (No. 5).

These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,351 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between June 7 and 13, 2006.

Specific results from this poll include: -- A slight majority (54%) of U.S. adults say that they will take a vacation this summer with 45 percent of them saying that will stay in the U.S. Three percent will only travel internationally and six percent will travel both domestically and internationally. The remaining 46 percent say that they will not being taking a vacation this summer. -- When traveling this summer, Americans who have or will take a vacation, (52%) are most likely to say they will (or did) visit friends and family. Other top vacations include going to the beach (36%), taking a scenic trip or visiting places of great beauty (29%), visiting historical sights or sightseeing (23%), visiting theme parks (20%), visiting a big city (18%), taking an active vacation such as hiking or camping (18%) and going to casinos (14%). Others that are somewhat less popular include going to a spa or resort (8%) and taking a cruise (8%). -- European countries are well-represented when looking at the top choices for vacation spots. In fact, half (51%) of all U.S. adults choose a European country as their top spot for vacation. Rounding out the top- 10 vacation spots for U.S. adults (when cost is not considered) U.S. adults would like to vacation in Germany (No. 6), and visit its neighbor to the north, Canada (No. 7), New Zealand (No. 8, climbing from No. 11 last year) and Mexico (No. 10, up from No. 13 last year). Japan, which was No. 8 in 2005, drops to No. 11, switching places with New Zealand.

TABLE 1 U.S. ADULTS' TOP COUNTRIES CHOSEN FOR VACATION DESTINATION IF COST NOT A WORRY

"If you could spend a vacation in any country in the world, outside the United States, and you would not have to worry about the cost, what one country would

you choose?" Base: All U.S. adults 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Australia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Italy 5 4 4 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 Ireland 7 6 7 5 6 5 5 5 4 4 France 3 3 5 3 4 6 4 4 5 5 Germany 4 5 3 6 5 7 6 6 6 6 Canada 6 7 6 7 9 4 =12 7 7 7 New Zealand =13 15 =13 =14 =14 13 7 8 11 8 Greece =11 14 11 =14 =14 =14 10 14 =8 9 Mexico 8 9 =9 =8 =12 12 =12 10 13 10 Japan =13 10 =13 13 10 * 8 =11 =8 11 Spain * 11 12 11 =12 11 9 9 12 12 Switzerland 9 8 =9 =8 8 8 11 =11 10 13 Bahamas * * * * * * * * 15 14 Jamaica =11 12 8 10 7 =9 * 13 14 =15 Brazil * * * * * * * * * =15 * Not in top-15. = Indicates a tie.

TABLE 2 U.S. ADULTS' TOP COUNTRIES CHOSEN FOR VACATION DESTINATION - SUMMARY BY REGION "If you could spend a vacation in any country in the world, outside the United States, and you would not have to worry about the cost, what one country would

you choose?" Base: All U.S. adults 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 % % % % % % % A European country 48 44 46 50 51 50 51 A country in the Asia or Pacific region 24 22 18 25 26 26 26 A country in the Americas or Caribbean 13 17 19 12 13 12 14 A country in the Middle East 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 A country in Africa 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 Other country * * 1 1 * 1 * Wouldn't go anywhere outside United States 4 7 5 3 4 2 2 Not sure/refused 5 3 8 3 1 2 1 Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100 percent due to rounding. * Less than 0.5 percent. TABLE 3 HAVE TAKEN OR PLANNING TO TAKE SUMMER VACATION "Have you taken or are you planning on taking a vacation this summer?" Base: All adult June 2006 % Yes (NET) 54 Yes, domestic vacation only 45 Yes, international vacation only 3 Yes, both domestic and international vacation 6 No, will not be taking a vacation this summer 46 TABLE 4 TYPE OF SUMMER VACATION PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN OR ARE PLANNING TO TAKE

"What types of vacation have you or are you planning on taking this summer?"

Base: All adults who have taken/plan to take vacation this summer June 2006 % Visit friends/family 52 Beach vacation 36 Scenic trip or visiting places of great beauty 29 Historical/Sightseeing (focus of trip is around Seeing new sights or visiting a historical area) 23 Theme Park 20 Visit a big city 18 Active vacation (hiking, river rafting, camping, etc ... ) 18 Casino/Gambling 14 Cruise 8 Spa or resort (primary purpose to relax) 8 Other 11 Note: Percentages add up to more than 100 percent due to multiple responses accepted. Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between June 7 and 13, 2006 among 2,351 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,351 adults one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 2 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

J28028 Q905 About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents: The Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/ .

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/ .

Press Contact: Jennifer Cummings Harris Interactive 585-214-7720 Harris Interactive Inc. 06/06

CONTACT: Jennifer Cummings, Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7720

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