Where Have All the Families Gone? To Florida, According to Two New Surveys

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 17, 2014) - Two new polls put out recently by TripAdvisor and Family Fun magazine show where families are traveling this year, how they are traveling and where they are staying -- offering insight into some unusual trends in travel.

Not surprisingly, Orlando, FLA continues to top the list with Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and the City of Orlando taking the top three overall spots. But, perhaps surprisingly, Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota and the Strong Museum in Rochester, NY are riding the tail winds.

The latest issue of Travel-Intel, published by Tours.com, details these surveys and puts the spotlight on where families are traveling this year, where they are staying and where kids are clamoring to go. Hint: Ever considered the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, North Conway, NH?

This week's issue of Travel-Intel also looks at Dubai, gleaming city on the Arabian Peninsula where time is all about the future and money is no object toward meeting grand goals in tourism. To double tourism numbers by the end of the decade Dubai is intent on becoming the go-to destination of the world. Travel-Intel looks at Dubai's plans and the challenges.

For those whose travel interests take them to the edge of the earth and beyond, a focus on Fogo Island Inn, an artsy architecturally stunning lodge over the Atlantic in the far reaches Newfoundland, gives a look into a different kind of vacation. The striking interiors of the Inn contrast with the wild, roiling, windswept landscapes. Travelers escape into an unexpected world of art, craftsmanship and sustainable living on this island, at an Inn that is part of the exclusive Kurtz-Ahlers collection of hotels and resorts.

Travel-Intel also discusses the state of the cruising industry in this issue, according to recent national surveys that mark consumer concerns in the wake of various mishaps at sea and illness breakouts aboard ship.

Finally, New York City comes into play with a list of ideas for the perfect on-the-town date and the perfect hotel to book. The Park Central Hotel at the edge of Central Park and Times Square has recently been given a redo and a new sleek style, while prices stay loyal to former decades.

Travel-Intel, the weekly travel industry news channel from Tours.com, reaches more than 100,000 sellers of travel in the U.S. and Canada and is also posted online.

The publication reports from travel conferences and popular hotels, resorts, cruise ships and travel destinations with stories that feature the latest intel on travel. Current features and archives can be viewed at www.travel-intel.com.

"Travel-Intel goes out weekly as digital publication that is welcomed and read by the travel industry and trade, namely agents who help people with their vacation plans," says Lark Gould, content director for Travel-Intel and Tours.com. "As travel agents cannot be everywhere, Travel-Intel is there to help them keep up with this fast-changing industry. And it is also read by consumers who are looking for the next best place to go."

As a veteran travel journalist who has been covering the travel industry for more than 20 years, Gould puts her incisive perspective into the weekly publication, with features and news updates, and also "packages" issues that detail great deals to be found at hotels and resort locations worldwide. Travel-Intel can be viewed as a stand-alone site on Tours.com. Gould publishes travel columns in Larkslist, genConnect and Barclay's Travel Community. She also writes for Business Traveler USA.

About Tours.com: Tours.com Since 1995 - The Official Directory of Tours & Vacations Worldwide. Tours.com has a deep and searchable database of vacation and tour companies searchable by company name, destination and/or activity. A comprehensive one-stop Travel Resource section, plus the Find a Travel Agent Specialist search allows one to search for travel agents with in-depth knowledge in their chosen specialty.