TripAdvisor just announced the results of its 2012 travel trends survey of more than 2,700 U.S. travelers.

The biggest news is that spending on leisure travel is on an upswing. According to the survery, 31 percent say they plan to spend more on leisure travel next year, while 49 percent expect to spend the same amount as they did in 2011.

Other highlights I found interesting:

Top Trip Picks Travelers are Planning for 2012

Beach trip - 44%

Cultural trip (e.g., visiting museums or historic sites) - 42%  (up from 38 percent)

Road trip - 40%

City trip - 36%

Guys or girlfriends getaway - 24%

Cruises: 23% (up from 19%) 

 Destinations in Americans' Sights

Sixty-eight percent plan to travel outside the U.S. in 2012 and among these globetrotters, 54 percent will visit Europe, 52 percent will go to a North American destination outside the U.S. (such as Canada or Mexico), and 12 percent will travel to Asia.

The top three international cities U.S. travelers plan to visit are Paris, London and Rome.

The top three U.S. cities for 2012 are New York City, Las Vegas and San Francisco.