Summer Travel Plans Are Up, More Americans Planning to Stay Close to Home, According to New Research From Cambria Suites

SILVER SPRING, Md., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 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."

To help consumers get out on the road this summer, no matter how near or far their vacation plans may be taking them, Choice Hotels, franchisor of the Cambria Suites brand, is offering travelers the chance to earn a free hotel night after just two separate stays.* When guests sign up for the Choice Privileges rewards program and stay two separate times from now through August 11, 2011 at any Choice brand property, they'll earn enough bonus rewards points to redeem for a free night at more than 1,500 hotels.

All Cambria Suites hotels feature Reflect, a casual dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee, Cheesecake Factory® desserts and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an elegant pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that offers energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

In addition, each room is a spacious suite that's larger than average and offers the latest in technology, including two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub™ plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to connect their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digital camera or CD/DVD player hassle-free. Free high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel so that guests can stay connected even while vacationing.

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.

About Cambria Suites

Cambria Suites offers contemporary, upscale accommodations at affordable prices. Designed as a lifestyle hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers more than just a place to sleep at night. It features a larger lobby to give guests a more social atmosphere, all-suite rooms that are larger than standard hotel rooms and include a separate living, working and sleeping space, providing business and leisure travelers a haven to relax, socialize and network. There are currently 19 properties open across the country.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2011, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,400 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2011 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Reservations must be made at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates and Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After a second qualifying stay with arrival between 5/19/11 and 8/11/11, you will be awarded enough bonus points to redeem at the 8,000 point Choice Privileges reward night level.  For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, or MainStay Suites® hotels, a stay is defined as two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs.  For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Collection® hotels, a stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any property included in the Choice Privileges program.  Members that register for this promotion may earn up to four (4) free nights, Platinum and Diamond members that register for this promotion may earn up to ten (10) free nights, and members that do not register for this promotion may earn up to two (2) free nights.  Allow 72 hours from check-out for points to post to your account.  You must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) to be eligible for this promotion.  For program details, eligible rates, eligible countries and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges.com. 

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.