Most East Coasters Believe The Allure Of Virginia Beach Doesn't End With The Summer

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Beach often conjures up visions of summer vacations lounging by the beach, however, more and more vacationers look to other times of year to take a relaxing trip by the sea, found an online survey conducted by Wakefield Research for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. In fact, 83 percent of Americans in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are likely to take a beach vacation at times other than the summer season, and most (61 percent) of these East Coasters have their sights set on Virginia Beach as a likely prospect for their off-season getaway.

The survey revealed that vacationers look to Virginia Beach for year-round fun, as 83 percent of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast-residing Americans believe there's something to do in Virginia Beach all year long. And that's because the activities they most want to do on an ideal vacation— visiting historic landmarks (56 percent), taking advantage of live entertainment venues (50 percent), visiting museums (44 percent), dolphin watching (39 percent), biking and hiking (33 percent), and whale watching (32 percent), among others — are all things they can do in Virginia Beach.

Another reason Virginia Beach appeals to these travel-ready adults is that they don't want to spend too much time on the road to get there. Most (60 percent) are willing to spend between six and 23 hours behind the wheel—very doable, especially for those in the Mid-Atlantic area, and a viable consideration for those further north.

Virginia Beach is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life on the busy East Coast, and most Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern Americans know they need the reprieve. Most (70 percent) seek quiet and relaxation when vacationing, something of which the area can offer plenty, especially as the summer crowds wane. No surprise, though, that Millennials (40 percent) tend to want a more active and bustling time away than do Boomers (28 percent), while Boomers are more likely to use the fine dining benefits than are Millennials (61 percent vs. 44 percent).

The vast majority (90 percent) of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast residents agree that Virginia Beach has kept up with the growth and modernization of other cities in the region. When they think of the coastal city of Virginia Beach, 97 percent of potential off-season visitors conjure up images of myriad amenities including, of course, the beach or waterfront (84 percent), but also family activities (62 percent), outdoor activities (62 percent), and fine dining (54 percent). Given their favorable view of Virginia Beach, most (90 percent) find it no surprise that the destination has recently been named one of the top 25 beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award Winners for Beaches.

However, some of these potential off-season vacationers don't know everything there is to know about Virginia Beach. For example, 69 percent don't realize that Virginia Beach has one of the top 10 best park systems in the country. They also don't know that there's more farmland than ocean-front land (88 percent) or that the Guinness Book of World Records names its 35 miles of coastline as the longest stretch of pleasure beach in the world (93 percent). It's time to revisit Virginia Beach. Most adults who have visited Virginia Beach in the past are long overdue for a visit. In fact, they haven't been back to visit in 11 years, on average. Boomers have been away longest, with 33% not having been back for 10 years or more; only 11% of Millennials have stayed away that long. With the fall season approaching, it's time for travelers to consider a vacation to Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Beach Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults 18+, between March 20 and March 28, 2018.

About Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, the official destination marketing organization for the city of Virginia Beach, is a municipal organization whose mission is to promote the coastal city as a year-round destination for domestic and international leisure travel, business travel, conventions, sports and special events. 

Virginia Beach, Virginia's most populous city, resides where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is comprised of seven unique districts: Sandbridge, Chesapeake Bay, Town Center, Pungo, Oceanfront, ViBe Creative District and Inland. The area is home to 35 miles of sandy beaches, a flourishing culinary and emerging craft beer scene, rich history, a variety of arts and entertainment and family-friendly attractions that keeps its 19 million annual visitors entertained year-round. For all there is to see and do in Virginia Beach, follow Visit Virginia Beach on Facebook and Instagram @VisitVaBeach and on Twitter @VisitVaBch, or go to VisitVirginiaBeach.com.

SOURCE Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Related Links

http://www.visitvirginiabeach.com