Viral Vacations

Hotels and resorts might need some upgrading because while people still want to get away, they don’t want to go that far.

Gone are the days of lounging on a beach and escaping it all. These days travelers want to stay plugged in and are using email, Facebook and Twitter to stay connected. Amelie Hurst works with the travel website, Trip Advisor and says for many travelers figuring out how to keep in touch with the mainland is as important as packing sun screen and swimwear. Hurst says in years gone by this was never a concern, with vacations going hand in hand with being disconnected from everyday life. But now everyone wants to plug in.

A recent survey of 2,000 travelers by American Express found that seventy seven percent of Americans intend to stay online while traveling. And of that number fourteen percent will do so for work. Audrey Hendley of American Express Travel says the trend in connectivity goes beyond email. Hendley says people are updating their Facebook status and tweeting pictures all to share their adventures with friends. And distance doesn’t matter. Travelers are expecting a high speed connection no matter how remote their destination. Just check the cost, exotic island internet isn’t cheap.