Subscribe Feed (RSS)A Mintel study reveals vacationers are embracing the practical while eschewing the expensive.
Five star vacations are a thing of the past. At least that is the conclusion of a recent Mintel survey which revealed that vacationers this year are more likely to visit with family members and take road trips then they are to head off to the islands or visit some other exotic destination. As the Independence holiday weekend approaches, travelers are hitting the road instead of flying away, reversing a pattern that seemed to take hold when the economy was humming along.
Getting Away, Paying Less
Mintel’s survey revealed that people are still getting away, but they’re looking for ways to save money including staying with friends and family members while away from home, staying closer to home, taking shorter trips and relying upon cheaper forms of transportation. The latter category, transportation, means that many travelers believe driving the family car is their best mode to help them “get there” while cutting back on air travel.
“The recession is undoubtedly making more Americans shop aggressively for travel deals and cut corners,” states Chris Haack, senior analyst at Mintel. “As people try to save money, we see a rising trend towards simpler, more ‘homespun’ vacations. We’ve even seen an increase in zoo and local theme park attendance. People can justify shorter trips with fewer excesses, as long as they still have the opportunity to relax and have fun.”
Simple Stays Seem Important
Most vacationers have cited “rest and relaxation” as their chief reason for getting away. Mintel discovered that having a “high standard of accommodation and facilities” as not being a significant requirement as they travel, perhaps underscoring being satisfied with whatever arrangements they have while traveling as being a priority.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the Mintel survey was this particular revelation – 40% of those surveyed didn’t travel domestically, citing financial reasons for staying put.
Source: Mintel International
Adv. – Are you planning to hit the road this summer? One of the biggest expenses you’ll have are your hotel stays followed by visits to historical or amusement sites, food, fuel and souvenirs. You can save money on your accommodations if you shop around. Why not let SayFunTravel.com help you find the perfect place to stay at a reasonable price?
Tags: airfare, flights, hotel stay, Independence Day, Mintel, travel, vacations
The most recent increase in fares is due to several factors including a rise in jet fuel costs, shrinking capacity resulting in fewer seats available, and increased consumer demand. Farecast, which is now part of Bing Travel, has noted that for some city pairs airfare has already doubled. The increase seems to have begun right after Memorial Day when airlines’ spring specials came to an end.
Fortunately, hotel stays don’t have to be a budget buster, with some offering a good room rate and complementary breakfast, but only if you shop around. Let’s take a look at some ways you can save money on your upcoming trip:
