I always encourage everyone I can to get out an travel, especially abroad. As frequent travelers, sometimes you have to appreciate the little things that are taken for granted – even just having a passport. Even though the US passport is one of the strongest passports in the world, I knew that having a passport as a US citizen wasn’t exactly the “norm” according to statistics… but I was always under the impression that it was closer to the 50/50 range. To my surprise the percentage of Americans that hold a passport is actually much lower.
According to the U.S. Department of State, only 36% of U.S. citizens hold a valid U.S. passport, while a whopping 75% of Britains and Australians are equipped to travel abroad. There’s many reasons why people choose not to travel, including the fact that maybe acquiring a passport can be seen a financial burden for many Americans, as passports cost $110. Pricing aside, I feel like the desire and willingness to travel needs to spark from within (just like deciding to travel using miles and points – people will always make “excuses”).
So what states have the most [and least] amount of passports?
Truthfully, the results don’t really surprise me in the column of lowest percentages of passports, but I was surprised by Alaska being in the top 3 states with the highest percentages of passports (must be because of a less-dense population). I was expecting to see California, Florida, and New Jersey (represent) somewhere in the top 5.
In light of the stats, Hotels.com currently has a promotion to help Americans save by offering “free passports†with qualifying international hotel bookings. Using promo code Passport17, you can receive $11o off of a Hotels.com booking of $800 or more (~13.75% savings) for bookings made through August 31. Don’t forget that you can also stack these savings with 4% back when you book through cash back portal, MrRebates.com.
When I saw the headline, I guessed Mississippi. Ding ding ding! :)
“You see, Ma, those liberal East Coast elitists traveling in those fancy airplanes to other countries thinking they is so cultivated and edumicated.”
Just an observation on Alaska. Pretty affluent citizenry…and the winters always are an encouragement to travel. Summers are for working and winters are long and trying for many. Lots of Alaskans travel to Mexico, Asia and Australia during the arctic winters to enjoy a much-deserved summer.
I agree. We Jersey folks like to travel. Maybe it’s the south Jersey folks who are lowering the percentage. Philly isn’t a foreign country south jersey!