Guidebook Survey
Apr 9th, 2006 | 12:25 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Guidebook Survey
Hey travelers,
I'm a student at San Francisco State University majoring in graphic design. As an avid traveler, I chose to do my senior thesis on designing a better travel guidebook. As part of my research, I am seeking input from travelers all around the world. If any of you can participate in the below survey, that would be great! I appreciate your input! Thanks so much!
Name :
Gender:
Age:
Location:
How many times do you travel in a year?
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Sometimes
Never
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? Y N
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source?
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
0
1-3
4+
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Eyewitness
Rick Steves
Frommers
Green
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
Let’s Go
Rand McNally
Cadogan
Insight
other (name)
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
color photos
maps
easy to read
hardback
”Top 10” places to see, do, etc,
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
other (name)
durability
pricing
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
What would you include in a guidebook?
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
small guidebook w/general information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
Additional comments?
Thanks!
I'm a student at San Francisco State University majoring in graphic design. As an avid traveler, I chose to do my senior thesis on designing a better travel guidebook. As part of my research, I am seeking input from travelers all around the world. If any of you can participate in the below survey, that would be great! I appreciate your input! Thanks so much!
Name :
Gender:
Age:
Location:
How many times do you travel in a year?
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Sometimes
Never
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? Y N
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source?
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
0
1-3
4+
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Eyewitness
Rick Steves
Frommers
Green
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
Let’s Go
Rand McNally
Cadogan
Insight
other (name)
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
color photos
maps
easy to read
hardback
”Top 10” places to see, do, etc,
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
other (name)
durability
pricing
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
What would you include in a guidebook?
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
small guidebook w/general information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
Additional comments?
Thanks!
Apr 9th, 2006 | 01:02 PM
#2
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Name : xaroula
Gender: female
Age: 25
Location: united states
How many times do you travel in a year? between 2 and 12 months per year traveling
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Sometimes
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? No
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source? Talking with others who know the area
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year? none or maybe 1
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year? max $20
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Eyewitness
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
other (Blue Guide)
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
maps
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
other (info about local customs, how not to be rude etc)
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
not sure
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
don't know
(Sorry about those 2, bad answers I know, but I guess I don't think in that way....)
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
-Too large of an area to be considered. Prefer really specific ones.
-avoid inconsistencies in the text, even when they're not important they are so frustrating because they undermine the reader's confidence
-don't assume that your readers are British or Australian or American etc, unless you are sure that it will not be purchased by anyone else.
-don't accept advertising anywhere in the book
What would you include in a guidebook?
-A list of good books to read, movies to watch, music to listen to before/when you go, or some other nod to personal forays into culture. (In addition to the sights and museums etc.)
-HIGH quality maps- maybe even some that fold out. Think National Geographic photo essays for what I mean with the folding.
-use really good quality paper (although a lot of gloss adds weight)
-updated local bus schedules
-a free website tied to the book, with frequently updated info and corrections
-print the text using color (costs more but is easier to follow)
-info on cell phone services, calling cards, internet cafes, wireless hotspots, etc
-when it's bound, include several ribbons in the binding (different colors) for multiple bookmarks
-use smaller type to save size rather than eliminating content (see how the Blue Guide does this with their historical essays)
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
Actually - I prefer a smaller guidebook with detailed information about a much more specific area.
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
If you were going to do something new, why not doing something REALLY innovative/completely unlike what exists? Just one more guidebook probably won't add a lot. I have some specific ideas but what really matters is your own personal interest.
Additional comments?
If you can aim it at a really niche market you will be able to focus better and perhaps have a better result: Instead of "Travlgrl57's Guide to India" you could have "The Gourmand's Guide to Sardinia and Sicily by Travlgrl57"
Good luck on your thesis! I have a good friend doing a masters at SFSU
Take care.
Gender: female
Age: 25
Location: united states
How many times do you travel in a year? between 2 and 12 months per year traveling
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Sometimes
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? No
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source? Talking with others who know the area
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year? none or maybe 1
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year? max $20
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Eyewitness
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
other (Blue Guide)
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
maps
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
other (info about local customs, how not to be rude etc)
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
not sure
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
don't know
(Sorry about those 2, bad answers I know, but I guess I don't think in that way....)
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
-Too large of an area to be considered. Prefer really specific ones.
-avoid inconsistencies in the text, even when they're not important they are so frustrating because they undermine the reader's confidence
-don't assume that your readers are British or Australian or American etc, unless you are sure that it will not be purchased by anyone else.
-don't accept advertising anywhere in the book
What would you include in a guidebook?
-A list of good books to read, movies to watch, music to listen to before/when you go, or some other nod to personal forays into culture. (In addition to the sights and museums etc.)
-HIGH quality maps- maybe even some that fold out. Think National Geographic photo essays for what I mean with the folding.
-use really good quality paper (although a lot of gloss adds weight)
-updated local bus schedules
-a free website tied to the book, with frequently updated info and corrections
-print the text using color (costs more but is easier to follow)
-info on cell phone services, calling cards, internet cafes, wireless hotspots, etc
-when it's bound, include several ribbons in the binding (different colors) for multiple bookmarks
-use smaller type to save size rather than eliminating content (see how the Blue Guide does this with their historical essays)
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
Actually - I prefer a smaller guidebook with detailed information about a much more specific area.
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
If you were going to do something new, why not doing something REALLY innovative/completely unlike what exists? Just one more guidebook probably won't add a lot. I have some specific ideas but what really matters is your own personal interest.
Additional comments?
If you can aim it at a really niche market you will be able to focus better and perhaps have a better result: Instead of "Travlgrl57's Guide to India" you could have "The Gourmand's Guide to Sardinia and Sicily by Travlgrl57"
Good luck on your thesis! I have a good friend doing a masters at SFSU
Take care.
Apr 9th, 2006 | 01:11 PM
#3
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
how frustrating!! I made some edits to that post but it just posted the original version 
I wanted to say also:
you should NOT assume that people only visit in High Season and give information of what times things are open in off season as well -- so frustrating when guidebook says "open til 7" and you show up at 5 and it's closed since 3 because it's December! Same goes for hotels that are not open year round.
Also , I realized that I do buy more guidebooks than that -- but I tend to buy them locally -- and they are not series that you would necessarily recognize. So considering that I probably spend more like $100 on guidebooks each year.
ciao
I wanted to say also:
you should NOT assume that people only visit in High Season and give information of what times things are open in off season as well -- so frustrating when guidebook says "open til 7" and you show up at 5 and it's closed since 3 because it's December! Same goes for hotels that are not open year round.
Also , I realized that I do buy more guidebooks than that -- but I tend to buy them locally -- and they are not series that you would necessarily recognize. So considering that I probably spend more like $100 on guidebooks each year.
ciao
Apr 9th, 2006 | 01:17 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Name : Sheila Ritchie
Gender:F
Age:49
Location:UK
How many times do you travel in a year?
4-5
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? Y
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
I try not to carry more than 6 or so
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
lots
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
£50-£100?
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Eyewitness
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
Let’s Go
Cadogan
Insight
other (name)Blue
AA
Berlitz
Hachette
anything else I can get my hands on
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
maps
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
compact
other (name)natural history
bibliography
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
Gaining knowledge
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
Weight
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
What would you include in a guidebook?
What is your preference?
small guidebook w/detailed information
If it has to be the choice you gave- detailed before general
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
If compact means superficial, no need.
Additional comments?
If the Blue Guide could get a more user friendly format that would be ideal.
Gender:F
Age:49
Location:UK
How many times do you travel in a year?
4-5
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? Y
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
I try not to carry more than 6 or so
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
lots
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
£50-£100?
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Eyewitness
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide
Let’s Go
Cadogan
Insight
other (name)Blue
AA
Berlitz
Hachette
anything else I can get my hands on
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
maps
non-touristy places
paperback
history, culture
compact
other (name)natural history
bibliography
What are some benefits of using a guidebook?
Gaining knowledge
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
Weight
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
What would you include in a guidebook?
What is your preference?
small guidebook w/detailed information
If it has to be the choice you gave- detailed before general
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
If compact means superficial, no need.
Additional comments?
If the Blue Guide could get a more user friendly format that would be ideal.
Apr 9th, 2006 | 03:42 PM
#5
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 0
Name : dina
Gender: female
Age: 40
Location: L.A.
How many times do you travel in a year? 3-4
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? yes
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
5-7
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
$80-120
What guidebooks have you used in your travels?
Fodors
Eyewitness
Rick Steves
Frommers
Green
Rough Guide
Cadogan
See It by Fodors.
AAA spiral
What features do you look for in a guidebook?
color photos
maps
easy to read
”Top 10” places to see, do, etc,
non-touristy places
paperback
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
What are some benefits of using a guidebook? Finding highlights and off-the-beaten track places to visit,
finding hotel/restaurant recommendations,
finding time-saving and money-saving tips,
finding family-friendly activities
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
can't think of any for me
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
i like a lot of info...
but i hate really small print.
What would you include in a guidebook?
what i mentioned above in "advantages", plus
good maps of neighborhoods and public transportation systems,
a good index
how to spend 1day, 2 days, etc.
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
I seem to buy several guidebooks for the same destination. Not sure if that's because I love to research/read or because I seem to get different things from different books. Probably a little of both.
Additional comments?
good luck on your thesis! Sounds like a fun project!
Gender: female
Age: 40
Location: L.A.
How many times do you travel in a year? 3-4
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Always
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? yes
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year?
5-7
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
$80-120
What guidebooks have you used in your travels?
Fodors
Eyewitness
Rick Steves
Frommers
Green
Rough Guide
Cadogan
See It by Fodors.
AAA spiral
What features do you look for in a guidebook?
color photos
maps
easy to read
”Top 10” places to see, do, etc,
non-touristy places
paperback
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
What are some benefits of using a guidebook? Finding highlights and off-the-beaten track places to visit,
finding hotel/restaurant recommendations,
finding time-saving and money-saving tips,
finding family-friendly activities
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook?
can't think of any for me
What would you exclude in a guidebook?
i like a lot of info...
but i hate really small print.
What would you include in a guidebook?
what i mentioned above in "advantages", plus
good maps of neighborhoods and public transportation systems,
a good index
how to spend 1day, 2 days, etc.
What is your preference?
large guidebook w/detailed information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs?
I seem to buy several guidebooks for the same destination. Not sure if that's because I love to research/read or because I seem to get different things from different books. Probably a little of both.
Additional comments?
good luck on your thesis! Sounds like a fun project!
Apr 9th, 2006 | 07:11 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Name alan
Male
63 yo
UD
7-8 times a yr. not all international
Always international
Travel guide -
yes main source of info
Take 1-3 guidebooks
Purchase 1-2 books per yr
spend about $40.00 yr
I have used Fodors, Eyewitness, Green,Lonely Planet,Rough Guide,Cadogan,Footprints,Baedekers and Blue Guide.
I look for guide books with history,culture, maps, durability, pricing, larger print.
The advantage of using a guidebook is that it provides me the background, history perhaps a floorplan, map both walking and driving.
Not all guidebooks are created equal. I can't think of anything I would leave out except glossy pages with pictures and minimum text.
I prefer a guidebook with detailed information of various sights
I think there are enough guidebooks to serve the needs of most people. I you go to a bookstore or an on line store you can make the comparisons.
Male
63 yo
UD
7-8 times a yr. not all international
Always international
Travel guide -
yes main source of info
Take 1-3 guidebooks
Purchase 1-2 books per yr
spend about $40.00 yr
I have used Fodors, Eyewitness, Green,Lonely Planet,Rough Guide,Cadogan,Footprints,Baedekers and Blue Guide.
I look for guide books with history,culture, maps, durability, pricing, larger print.
The advantage of using a guidebook is that it provides me the background, history perhaps a floorplan, map both walking and driving.
Not all guidebooks are created equal. I can't think of anything I would leave out except glossy pages with pictures and minimum text.
I prefer a guidebook with detailed information of various sights
I think there are enough guidebooks to serve the needs of most people. I you go to a bookstore or an on line store you can make the comparisons.
Apr 9th, 2006 | 11:09 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
travlgrl
The more I think about this, the less I think it'll work in this format. May I suggest you either stick this survey on a web site and post teh url so people can respond to it there, or give us your email address so we can reply direct.
I have your best interests at heart.
The more I think about this, the less I think it'll work in this format. May I suggest you either stick this survey on a web site and post teh url so people can respond to it there, or give us your email address so we can reply direct.
I have your best interests at heart.
Trending Topics
Apr 9th, 2006 | 11:54 PM
#8
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
Name : Claire
Gender: female
Age: 25
Location: Dallas, TX
How many times do you travel in a year? 6-12 months per year are travel.
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Sometimes
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? N
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source? For planning I use an atlas, the internet and talk to friends who have gone.
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year? anywhere from 0-4
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
anywhere from 0-$80
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Green
Lonely Planet
Rand McNally
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
color photos
maps
easy to read
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
durability
What are some benefits of using a guidebook? It is nice to be able to check things off and make notes as you go along. I love having a multitude of maps for a given location.
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook? They are cumbersome and annoying to carry around in public. They often lead you to where everyone else is (even in the non-touristy areas). Many are very biased and poorly updated.
What would you exclude in a guidebook? I don't ever use those "if you have one day here" sections. If I only have a day, I design it myself. I think that the guidebooks are, in general, annoyingly over-specific for what you should do and how it should be done.
What would you include in a guidebook? Images of what local currency looks like, common tricks played on tourists, a blank page or two every now and then, a blank map that you can fill in yourself.
What is your preference?
small guidebook w/general information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs? I think that the current selection of guidebooks is pretty good for Europe, but I think that the Middle East could use some serious updating.
Additional comments? This sounds like an interesting project, but your questions are really general. Though that may be the point, I assume that the idea is to be an "innovator in the field of travel guides." If that is the case then the questions about how much we travel are not nearly as important as finding out what is on the market, what is dispensible and where your contribution could be within a certain economic sector. I highly recommend re-posting a survey when you have a much meatier idea of what you want to contribute to the guidebooks of a certain sector.
Awesome thesis topic!
Gender: female
Age: 25
Location: Dallas, TX
How many times do you travel in a year? 6-12 months per year are travel.
Do you use a guidebook when you travel?
Sometimes
Is a guidebook your main source for travel information? N
If not, what is your chief trip-planning source? For planning I use an atlas, the internet and talk to friends who have gone.
How many guidebooks do you take when you travel?
1-3
How many guidebooks do you purchase each year? anywhere from 0-4
How much do you spend on guidebooks each year?
anywhere from 0-$80
What guidebooks have you used in your travels? (Check all that apply)
Fodors
Green
Lonely Planet
Rand McNally
What features do you look for in a guidebook? (Check all that apply)
color photos
maps
easy to read
paperback
history, culture
budget places
compact
contact info (phone, websites)
durability
What are some benefits of using a guidebook? It is nice to be able to check things off and make notes as you go along. I love having a multitude of maps for a given location.
What are some disadvantages of using a guidebook? They are cumbersome and annoying to carry around in public. They often lead you to where everyone else is (even in the non-touristy areas). Many are very biased and poorly updated.
What would you exclude in a guidebook? I don't ever use those "if you have one day here" sections. If I only have a day, I design it myself. I think that the guidebooks are, in general, annoyingly over-specific for what you should do and how it should be done.
What would you include in a guidebook? Images of what local currency looks like, common tricks played on tourists, a blank page or two every now and then, a blank map that you can fill in yourself.
What is your preference?
small guidebook w/general information
Is there a need for a more efficient, compact guidebook or does the current stock of guidebooks serve travelers’ needs? I think that the current selection of guidebooks is pretty good for Europe, but I think that the Middle East could use some serious updating.
Additional comments? This sounds like an interesting project, but your questions are really general. Though that may be the point, I assume that the idea is to be an "innovator in the field of travel guides." If that is the case then the questions about how much we travel are not nearly as important as finding out what is on the market, what is dispensible and where your contribution could be within a certain economic sector. I highly recommend re-posting a survey when you have a much meatier idea of what you want to contribute to the guidebooks of a certain sector.
Awesome thesis topic!
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dina4
United States
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Nov 9th, 2005 01:50 PM
