Travelocity’s most recent poll of over 2,000 North Americans revealed that despite the troubles faced by the hotel industry in 2009, the vast majority of travelers felt service was the same or better than the year prior.

69 percent of respondents felt service was “about the same” in 2009 compared to 2008, while 23 percent felt service levels had improved. Topping the list of ways service had improved was shorter lines, more free amenities, and improvement in room cleanliness.  Just eight percent felt service was worse.

Travelocity’s most recent poll of over 2,000 North Americans revealed that despite the economic recession of 2009, the vast majority (76 percent) continued to tip hotel employees as they had in the year prior. 11 percent reported tipping less while the remaining 13 percent reported tipping more.

Good news for hotel employees, especially if you’re a bellhop or maid. Why bellhop or maid, you ask? Because of hotel staff encountered during their visits, these are the two employees most likely to get tipped by guests. Who is the poor soul at the bottom of the hotel tipping hierarchy? The pool attendant. Somewhere in between fall the valet, concierge and doorman.

There was a time, not too long ago, when you paid for an airline ticket and with it were able to check two bags, get a snack onboard the flight, and reserve any seat in the class of cabin you paid for. In just a few short years, airlines have moved from a more-or-less inclusive model to an a la carte pricing structure – and have made billions by doing so. What if hotels follow?

Travelocity's most recent poll shows a dramatic increase in travel intentions, indicating traveler confidence is on the rise. Travelocity's second Traveler Confidence Report finds that nearly half of respondents plan to increase their travel in 2010 as compared to 2009.  The Traveler Confidence Report gauges travelers' plans and attitudes now as compared to six months prior and one year prior. The following findings are based on the intentions of more than 2,000 North Americans surveyed by Travelocity.

Traveler Confidence Report Highlights:

Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days. - Benjamin Franklin

Whether you're crashing on Aunt Edna's floral couch or hosting your in-laws for a week, the holidays are about bonding with loved ones in cramped quarters. We asked our readers to send us their most hair-raising tales of guests gone bad. Here are your houseguest horror stories!

At least, that's what many of us would like to do. Travelocity's most recent poll on 'oblications' (obligation vacations) revealed that while 93 percent of us use at least some of our hard-earned vacation time traveling for out-of-town obligations, more than half (58 percent) would rather spend that time taking a real vacation.

Having grown up in Georgia, I was bummed yesterday when I read that Southern states bring up the rear on the list of the happiest places in the U.S. There’s no question in my mind that the South, and particularly my hometown of Atlanta, often get a bum rap when it comes to tourism--and now they’re downers, too?!

Via LiveScience.com: Need a pick-me-up? Travel where it’s happy. According to an article by Jeanna Bryner of LiveScience.com, researchers have determined that well-being is at its highest in states that lie in the U.S. mountains and in the far West. The Mid-Atlantic, New England, and the Midwest came next. Southern states were deemed the least happy.

Ahh, holiday travel. Long lines. Packed planes. Short fuses. Is it any wonder many of us dread air travel over the holidays? Travelocity’s recent ‘Rudeness Poll’ identified travelers’ biggest pet peeves and what’s considered the worst behavior on the part of other travelers. Did you ever stop to consider, though, that maybe you’re the rude traveler? In other words, it’s not them, it’s you. If you identify with any of the personalities below, remember a little courtesy goes a long way to making everyone’s journey more enjoyable. Happy Holidays!

Travelocity's 2009 'Rudeness Poll' results have just been announced and it seems travelers are misbehaving at every stage of the trip. I bet you think you're not guily, but read on and see if you recognize any of these traits.

Do you shower before you get on a plane? If not, you are the most disliked passenger on your flight. In fact, people would rather sit next to a person who is coughing and sneezing than sit next to you.

Do you try to bring too-large carry-on luggage on the plane? Nearly 1,600 North Americans agrees that is the most irritating passenger behavior when boarding the plane. If you're a loud talker, you are the most annoying person during the flight, though you have some competition form the person who kicks the back of the seat in front of them.