According to a recent TripAdvisor survey of more than 3,000 travelers worldwide, 89% of travelers said their vacation plans have not been affected by predictions for another unusually American active hurricane season in 2006.

58% of travelers actually plan to visit a hurricane susceptible destination this season and 57% of travelers would be inspired to visit the Caribbean during the heart of the hurricane season–for a significant savings on transportation.

While travelers are planning to visit tropical destinations this summer, it seems they have not altogether forgotten the brutal hurricanes of 2005. Among those traveling to a hurricane susceptible destination, 63% are likely to purchase hurricane cancellation protection or travel insurance.

There are also concerns that lightning may strike twice, as 84% of respondents said they will avoid those destinations most
devastated by last year's storms. 27% of travelers said they consider the gulf coast region to be the greatest hurricane risk this year, more than any other destination. Only 18% of travelers considered the gulf coast the greatest risk last year, before Katrina.

Compared to the same one-month time period last year, research on TripAdvisor for the Caribbean, Florida and the Gulf Coast is down across the board in 2006. New Orleans was ranked #12 this time last year and has plummeted 100 places to #112 this year. Other examples include Florida, which dropped from #62 to #123, and Cancun, which dropped from #3 to #7. That said, Orlando jumped up one spot, from #11 to #10.

Almost one third of respondents admitted to being concerned about bird flu when it comes to traveling this summer.

What natural disaster do travelers fear most? Earthquakes (33%), followed by tsunamis (28%), with hurricanes only at 14%. This time last year, tsunamis were the greatest concern for travelers, following the disastrous Indian Ocean tsunami of late December 2004.