AAA Travel High School Challenge Shows Need for Increased Study of Travel and Destinations

ORLANDO, Fla.--May 4, 2006--- Less than a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Miss., only 13 percent of American teenagers can identify the home states for both cities, according to a survey released today by AAA Travel.

Commissioned on behalf of the AAA Travel High School Challenge, an annual travel destination and geography competition that will award more than $100,000 in college scholarships and prizes this May, the survey reveals an alarming lack of basic geographical and travel knowledge.

"We must find ways to encourage teenagers and young adults to learn more about the world around them," said Sandra Hughes, AAA Travel vice president. "We hope to do just that through the AAA Travel High School Challenge, inspiring teens to learn more about global destinations and cultures."

Although more than 50 percent of teens report traveling internationally, the survey found teens' knowledge of international travel destinations to be surprisingly low. More than two-thirds of teens surveyed were unable to identify the city in which the famous Louvre is located. And, just weeks after the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, barely 50 percent were able to identify Italy as home of the Olympic city of Turin.

Though general knowledge of destinations was low, the survey did find some positive signs for the travel and tourism industry. Thirty-six percent of teenagers surveyed stated they would be somewhat or very likely to pursue a career in travel and tourism following high school or college, signaling a positive trend for an industry hungry for new workers.

The survey also found good news for waterfront destinations, with "going to the beach, lake or river" receiving the highest score (75%) among teens asked what they would plan for their next family vacation.

The AAA Travel High School Challenge survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation as part of its TEEN CARAVAN(R) Survey, March 23-26. Telephone interviews were conducted with a national sample of 505 teens 12 to 17 years of age. The survey has a 3-4 percent margin of error.

The AAA Travel High School Challenge finals will be held May 15, 2006, at Universal Orlando Resort. Fifty-one champions, one from each state and the District of Columbia, will compete for the title of AAA Travel High School Challenge champion and a $25,000 college scholarship. Corporate sponsors for the contest are Holland America Line, Universal Orlando, Pleasant Holidays, Marriott, Continental Airlines, MBNA America and Hard Rock Live Orlando.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.