Squaremouth Report: Slow Growth Pushes France Out of Top 5 Destinations

07/11/2016 13:38

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- France is the slowest-growing top destination for American travelers in the past year, according to sales data from leading travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.

"This year marks the first time in the past five years that France has not been among our top five destinations," said Squaremouth spokesperson Rachael Taft. "At the same time, the number of customers searching specifically for terrorism coverage for their trip to France has nearly tripled."

France Declines Among Top Destinations

France is now the sixth most popular destination, displaced from the top 5 by Canada and the United Kingdom.

At 4.4%, France's year-over-year growth rate was less than half the rate of the next slowest-growing top destination, Germany
Canada, the fastest-growing destination, grew at nearly ten times the rate of France
France's overall share of travel insurance sales has declined for the past four years

Table 1: Squaremouth Customers Traveling to France
	Growth in Number of Travelers	Average Trip Cost	% of Total Travelers*
2016	4.4%	$3,772	3.5%
2015	-2.0%	$4,298	3.9%
2014	15%	$4,189	4.2%
2013	24%	$3,875	4.3%
*Represents percentage of American customers buying travel insurance for a trip to France

Interest in Terrorism Coverage Nearly Triples

Following attacks in Paris and Nice, travel insurance coverage for terrorism has been a priority for American travelers over the past year.

192% year-over-year increase in the number of American travelers searching specifically for Terrorism coverage when buying a policy for travel to France
For trips to all other destinations, the number of American travelers buying travel insurance policies specifically with Terrorism coverage increased by 150% year-over-year

Summer Travel Remains Steady

Squaremouth seasonal reports show that travel to France remained resilient this summer but was down in both the spring and fall of this year.

Winter travelers to France spent the least, while summer and fall trips were the most expensive on average
The average cost for trips to France last winter dropped nearly 11% from the previous year

Table 2: Seasonal Travel to France
	Total Spent in Season	Average Trip Cost	Share of Annual Travel To France
Winter 2015	$441,677	$2,113	8%
Spring 2016	$2,420,875	$4,167	22%
Summer 2016	$4,335,530	$4,340	42%
Fall 2016	$3,296,953	$4,390	28%
Methodology: Data is based on American customers insured on travel insurance policies purchased through Squaremouth prior to 10/31/16. Annual numbers are based on sales between 10/31 of the previous year and 10/31 of that year. Statistics reflect year-over-year changes unless otherwise noted. Travelers who are visiting multiple countries only have to enter one destination when purchasing a policy on Squaremouth.com. This report represents travelers that selected France.

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH
Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare insurance products side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com.

Available Topic Expert:
Rachael Taft
rtaft@squaremouth.com
(727) 264-5174

SOURCE Squaremouth

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