Americans Use Ingenuity To Get More Vacation Time

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Heading into the long Labor Day weekend, most Americans (66 percent) report they plan to take a leisure trip for the end of the summer or fall this year, according to a nationwide survey conducted this month by Choice Hotels International, Inc., (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies.

As the peak summer travel season draws to a close, nearly two-thirds of Americans polled (63 percent) said they could use more vacation time. The top things they would do with their extra time off: just relax (58 percent), see family and friends (49 percent), visit a city (42 percent), hit the beach (37 percent) and enjoy nature (31%).

"With the economy continuing to grow, people are feeling more confident about their jobs and looking to travel more," said Steve Joyce, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels International. "Still, value remains a priority, which makes late summer and fall great times to get away. The crowds have thinned out, the weather is still beautiful, and travel is typically less expensive."

But what about those unfortunate souls who have used up all their vacation days for the year? Nearly one in five respondents (11 percent) said they would come up with an excuse to get additional time off. Their excuses ran the gamut, from trend-inspired (pop-up wedding, zombie apocalypse) to tried-and-true (car trouble, cancelled flight, family emergency). Choice Hotels has sifted through the data. Following is the company's List of 25 Creative Excuses for Getting More Vacation Days, as revealed by its 2013 End-of-Summer/Fall Travel Survey.

25 Creative Excuses for taking time off

Out-Of-This World

• I had to stay home to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.
• Martians kidnapped my boyfriend, and I must rescue him.
• I was ambushed by zombies.

(Un) Natural Disasters

• My aquarium busted, and I must save my fish.
• A garbage truck is on fire at the end of my driveway.
• There's a snake on my porch.

What We Do For Love

• I had to attend a pop-up wedding.
• My mother's car broke down on a cross-country trip, and I had to go and assist her.
• My child came home with a really contagious eye infection. I should stay away from the office until its safe.
• My husband will be out sick today, Friday and Monday.
• My sister got kidnapped, and I must go find her.

Bad Hair Days

• My wife got a terrible hair-coloring job, and I must stay home to provide moral support.
• I'm having a hair malfunction.
• My hair dye turned out to be orange, and I cannot be seen in public.

Health & Wellness

• I'm under the weather due to a sympathetic pregnancy.
• I got mercury poisoning from a busted thermometer.
• I had an out-of-town dental appointment.
• I gave up my seat on the plane to an elderly person and couldn't get back for a few days.

Pet Peeves

• My dog did not wake me.
• My dog ate my shoes.
• My dog hid my car keys.
• My bird is sick.

Busted

• My grandmother died (twice in one year).
• I'm having trouble with my prostrate (reported by a woman).
• I am meeting on a project with a co-worker (who was actually in a meeting at the time with the caller's boss).

Survey Methodology
Results of the Choice Hotels 2013 End-of-Summer/Fall Travel Study are based on a nationally representative survey of more than 1,200 American adults conducted in August 2013 by Research Now on behalf of Choice Hotels.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,200 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of June 30, 2013, 365 hotels, representing more than 29,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States.  Additionally, 83 hotels, representing approximately 7,200 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 15 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, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With nearly 18 million members worldwide, it is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.

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

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

© 2013 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.