Travelers Say No to Staycations

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer comes to a close, many families realize there is only enough time for one last family get-away before they begin their fall routines. Pools and beaches will soon be replaced by soccer practices and busier workdays, so as families try to squeeze in one last-minute getaway, they have to choose between staying close to home or taking one last out-of-town trip for the summer. However, this raises the question: do travelers really get a full, unplugged vacation experience that leaves them relaxed and recharged if they don't select an out-of-town destination? A survey by CheapCaribbean.com, the number one U.S. provider of beach vacations dedicated to the Caribbean and Mexico, has found the answer is often a resounding "no."

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While much has been made about "staycations" in recent years, the survey data showed that 66 percent of U.S. consumers say they'd rather really get away than enjoy a "staycation" close to home during the summer. Many consumers feel that vacations taken further away from home are superior to staycations for overall benefits (68 percent) and happiness (66 percent). Additionally, only 39 percent feel like they can unplug and recharge or avoid distractions while on a "staycation."  

"Vacationing away from our usual surroundings help us take a break, have fun and bond with our families; not to mention, recharge and, in turn, perform better at every day and work tasks upon return," said Greg Brown, Vice President, Caribbean Product Development with CheapCaribbean.com. "One of the things we want to show travelers is that a getaway is only valuable if you actually manage to get away. We make it affordable to go where relaxation takes precedence over all else, the islands."

While it's clear that travelers prefer vacations away from home to staycations, 66 percent still see price as a barrier to getting away on a traditional vacation. Luckily, CheapCaribbean.com has a number of summer deals that help make a late summer getaway both easy to book and easy on the wallet. Don't wait too long to make plans, though, because these deals are only available for a limited time.

• Get away from New York City to Barbados for as low as $399 for five nights with airfare included.
• Head for the white sand beaches of Los Cabos from San Francisco and Los Angeles for as low as $499 for four nights with airfare included.
• Retreat to the clear waters of the Bahamas from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from as low as $199 for four nights with airfare included.

For more information, please visit CheapCaribbean.com or call 1-800-915-2322 to speak to a Beach Expert.

About CheapCaribbean.com

For beach lovers, CheapCaribbean.com is the number one U.S. provider of beach vacations dedicated to the Caribbean and Mexico. For more than a decade, our Beach Experts have helped create dream vacations at a real value for more than one million customers. Visitors to CheapCaribbean.com can search for deals by resort, destination or cruise, read extensive customer reviews, and find the best price around available travel dates through the site's unique CheapFinder technology. With every vacation package the company provides hurricane and weather insurance, and a Sunshine Protection Plan guaranteeing a $100 rebate if it rains on a vacation.

Find helpful tips and travel advice by visiting CheapCaribbean.com's Twitter, Facebook and blog, and for more information, or to book your dream vacation, please visit www.CheapCaribbean.com or call 800-915-2322.

About this survey

The survey was conducted by VeraQuest Research and sampled 1,509 online U.S. adults aged 18 years and older within the United States between July 19 and July 21, 2011. Results were weighted to reflect the total U.S. adult population aged 18 years and older. Respondents for this survey were randomly selected from an online panel to be generally proportional of the age, sex, region, race/ethnicity, income and education strata of the U.S., based on U.S. Census proportions. The estimated sampling error for the sample of 1,509 respondents is +/- 2.5% at a 95% confidence level. These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. For more information on VeraQuest, visit www.veraquestresearch.com.  

SOURCE CheapCaribbean.com