Travelers go green, clean in '08 - and no phones

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Travelers want to go green and stay clean in the next year -- and they don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, according to an annual survey of travel trends.

TripAdvisor, a travel Web site, surveyed more than 2,500 travelers globally, finding the top trends were concerns about germs, the growth of green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes.

It also found emerging hotspots for vacations in 2008 were Jerba in Tunisia, Makandi Bay in Egypt and Phangnga in Thailand.

"The major trends we're observing are that travelers value cleanliness above all else and are becoming more environmentally conscious," Michele Perry, spokeswoman for TripAdvisor, said in a statement.

The survey found 80 percent of respondents were concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling.

Airplanes were deemed the most germy, according to 28 percent of those polled, with public transportation next, followed by restaurants, hotels, and airports.

In keeping with the germaphobia, 55 percent of travelers said they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling with 27 percent of Americans -- up from 22 percent in 2005 -- taking disinfectant, cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a trip.

Nearly half -- or 45 percent -- of travelers said their worst experience at a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets but 17 percent said they encountered vermin.

Travelers are going greener, with 26 percent planning to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in the coming year, with plans ranging from biking to hiking.