Americans rank cleanliness (43%) over security (11%) as the most important factor in selecting a hotel, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Price and location were top factors for 23% and 19% of respondents, respectively.
The survey also showed that 84% of Americans would not refrain from traveling for business on September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Fewer than one in five of Americans are fearful of flying on September 11, 2011, while only 16% are fearful about flying on an airplane on a national holiday.
"Travelers should take safety precautions more seriously, and travel security should be higher on their checklist than cleanliness," said Jim Villa, a senior vice president and North American manager for Chubb's Accident & Health business. "It seems that more people are concerned about housekeeping than security."
In other survey findings regarding the 9/11 anniversary:
- Nearly one-third of respondents would be concerned about being near a nuclear power plant on September 11;
- 22% would avoid a chemical plant;
- 18% would avoid entering a sports stadium or entertainment venue with a large crowd of people;
- 16% would be concerned about being near an oil refinery;
- 13% would be concerned about being near a military base;
- 14% would not take a cruise;
- 11% would not take a train; and
- 9% would avoid taking a ferry.
Chubb's survey of 1,000 participants was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, an independent public opinion and market research firm, in June 2011.
