Family vacationers are proceeding full speed ahead despite the economic downturn, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker survey.
More than half of those surveyed are planning a vacation this summer. More than two-thirds among the affluent audience also plan a trip, as well as 83 percent of young professionals
“Summer travel is a priority for the majority of Americans,’ the survey found.
Parents, however, are planning more than summer vacations, as 58 percent are ready to arrange summer activities for their children and plan to spend an average of $600 per child.
“The summer vacation, and particularly, the family vacation is alive and well this year,” said Audrey Hendley, vice president of American Express Travel. “People are passionate about travel, and frequently we find that they would rather find creative ways to reduce the cost of their trip rather than do without it altogether.”
The most popular trips after family outings:
• Couples trips (26 percent)
• Trips with friends such as “girlfriend getaways” and “mancations” (10 percent)
• A “staycation”—intending to enjoy time off and attractions near home (11 percent)
• Experiential or adventure vacations such as a culinary retreat or hiking trip (7 percent)
• Educational vacations (4 percent)
And what about why those people staying home are avoiding a vacation:
—Almost half said they had not saved the money.
—One quarter said they planned to spend their money somewhere else.
—Only eight percent said they didn’t have the time to either plan or take a vacation this year.
The vast majority or 80 percent said they had a strategy to reduce the cost of their summer vacations, with the largest percentage citing driving instead of flying to their destinations.
By David Wilkening
