A new survey of 2,231 U.S. adults reveals only 9 percent are planning a 'staycation,' or home-based vacation, as an alternative to a vacation they otherwise would have taken out of town during the next six months. This represents a significantly lower percentage than expected by industry analysts.
While one in seven (14 percent) American leisure travelers said they had taken a 'staycation' during the past six months, only one in 11 (9 percent) expects to do so during the next six months according to the July 2008 Travel Industry Association/Ypartnership travelhorizons(TM) survey. When asked about the reason(s) for their anticipated 'staycation' vacation, respondents stated 'gasoline prices are too high' (61 percent), 'travel in general is too expensive' (44 percent), and 'am cutting back on discretionary spending' (43 percent).
In a surprising revelation, among those adults planning to take a home-based vacation during the next six months fully one out of five (22 percent, or 5.1 million adults) expects to stay in a local hotel, motel or resort at least one night on their 'staycation.' This suggests that many Americans still plan to 'get away' even if their destination is local. Lodging establishments and other tourism-related businesses will clearly benefit from these unexpected and previously-unreported expenditures.
'People taking 'staycations' are not necessarily entertaining themselves at home,' said Roger Dow, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association. 'On the contrary, many are participating in travel-related activities that generate significant revenues for restaurants, attractions, theme parks, as well as hotels and resorts.'
