September 25, 2015, New York, N.Y. – Golf Vacation Insider, the Internet’s leading source of independent golf travel advice, recently conducted an online survey of its 350,000 active subscribers to find out more about how they make travel decisions and what factors are important to them when deciding where to go.
The following selected findings from the survey provide insight into the decision-making process of the 350,000 avid golf travelers who read Golf Vacation Insider:
The number one factor in deciding where to go is value (defined in the survey as the intersection of price and quality), with 58% listing it as the single factor they usually place the most importance on.
Playing top-quality golf was listed as “most important” by 22% of golf travelers.
Interestingly, only about 5% of respondents listed “reliable weather,” or “getting there easily” as their most important factor when deciding where to go.
“These results confirm what we’ve suspected: our golf travelers look beyond ‘price’ alone and carefully consider what they’re getting for the price,” said Craig Better, Editor and Publisher, Golf Vacation Insider. “It’s one reason they open, read, and respond to our email alerts so voraciously; we explain which travel opportunities provide real value and are worthy of their time and money.”
Golf Vacation Insider’s travel tips and golf course, resort, and restaurant reviews are based mainly on anonymous, “secret shopper” inspections. The company does not sell golf packages or arrange/book golf vacations as part of its commitment to honest and unbiased reviews.
“Our readers trust and appreciate our advice, so they usually respond enthusiastically to our recommendations,” added Better. “This makes Golf Vacation Insider an attractive and efficient vehicle for golf resorts and destination marketers to execute a successful promotional campaign targeted at our active and affluent audience.”
The survey also helped profile the audience of 350,000 Golf Vacation Insider subscribers as highly affluent and active golf travelers. Findings from the survey suggest the collective golf travel purchasing power of the Golf Vacation Insider audience and their travel companions is about $6 billion. Specifically the survey found:
65% have household incomes of $100,000-$500,000+
81% take two or more golf trips each year
82% spend between $500-5,000+ per person on each golf trip
The online survey was taken at the non-affiliated SurveyGizmo website and completed by 2,697 of Golf Vacation Insider’s email subscribers. There was no incentive to participate. The results have statistical confidence level greater than 95% and a margin of error of less than 5%.
Golf Vacation Insider’s email subscribers and blog site visitors get expert, honest and trustworthy advice on where to play, stay and dine worldwide. Readers receive reviews and tips about visiting golf resorts, buying golf packages, general travel tips, and recommendations on golf/travel-related gear.
For more information, visit www.golfvacationinsider.com.
About Golf Vacation Insider
Founded in 2006, Golf Vacation Insider is the Internet’s leading source of independent golf travel advice on where to play, stay, and dine worldwide. With more than 350,000 subscribers receiving its email alerts, GVI has grown to become the largest and most engaged audience in golf travel. Readers receive reviews and alerts about golf packages, golf courses and golf resorts, plus access to dozens of guides to golf destinations and exclusive offers.
