With the summer travel season upon us, Cambria Suites has found in a recent survey that more Americans (67 percent) are planning to take a summer vacation this year than those who took one last year (62 percent). Vacations close to home are on the rise, with a quarter (25 percent, up 4 percent from last year) of Americans planning to vacation close to home and stay in a hotel, and 19 percent (up 6 percent from last year) of Americans planning to enjoy a stay-cation (i.e., at home) this year.
With a quarter of Americans planning to vacation close to home and stay in a hotel, or take a “near-cation” as Cambria Suites calls it, the survey also sheds light on the reasons this is an appealing option for summer travel plans. Ninety three percent of the Americans that are planning on vacationing close to home cited money-related reasons for taking a “near-cation,” with 59 percent of them saying that they are planning to stay in a nearby hotel this summer simply because “it’s a more economical vacation.” More than a quarter (26 percent) of Americans also stated that their options are to either vacation close to home, or have no vacation at all.
The survey revealed that prices at the pump also are a key driver for summer vacation plans, with more than half (56 percent) of Americans planning to take a “near-cation” because “rising fuels costs make driving far from home less affordable” and 46 percent noting that “rising fuel costs make airline travel less affordable.” It doesn’t stop with gas prices, as 34 percent of Americans planning to take a “near-cation” say that “not having to fly somewhere or drive far will make it a more relaxing vacation.”
“Staying in a hotel close by your home can be a very appealing option for Americans,” explained Michael Murphy, senior vice president of Cambria Suites. “It allows you an opportunity to enjoy the pampering of staying in a hotel while also playing tourist in your own state. No matter where you live, there are many great tourist attractions nearby, and taking a ‘near-cation’ this year is a cost effective solution to high gas prices.”
Methodology
This online survey was conducted by Leflein Associates, Inc., an independent market research company, May 2-4, 2011, as part of a national omnibus study. A total of 1,030 surveys were completed among adults 18+. Survey respondents represent the proportion of U.S. households with respect to age, gender and region. This survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level; the margin of error is larger for subgroups.
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
