While cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages often are key in peoples decisions to travel, more travelers this summer are planning on hitting the beach vs. visiting relatives.
That was the finding of a global 2012 Flip Flop Report. When asked what they would do if they could take only one vacation, 33 percent of the respondents said they would visit a beach vs. 10 percent that said they would visit relatives.
The survey, which comprised input for almost 8,600 consumers in 21 countries also found:
52 percent plan to take a beach vacation over the next 12 months. This is up from 45 percent last year. Only 23 percent of Americans expressed the intention of taking a beach vacation.
Of those Americans planning on visiting the beach, 60 percent said that their preference was to do nothing/relax vs. 13 percent who expect to exercise and 2 percent who said that they would pose for pictures that they would not want business associates to view.
When considering a beach vacation, the prevalence of sharks was noted by 38 percent of Americans vs. 67 percent of Singaporeans and 70 percent of Brazilians.
Only 2 percent of Americans said they had sunbathed in the nude vs. 8 percent of Spaniards and Indians and 15 percent of Germans.
The price of a beach vacation was cited as a top concern by 77 percent of travelers.
54 percent of Americans survey by Deloitte recently said that they expected to take a trip between June 1st and Labor Day vs. 52 percent who did so last year. Given the price of airfares and gas, travelers are looking for deals, discounts and complimentary amenities.
Some fliers will try to fly on airlines that do not charge to check bags or offer onboard Wi-Fi. Potential hotel guests are looking for complimentary breakfasts and free parking.
Visits to coastal environments result in increased calmness, enjoyment, and refreshment vs. visits to other outdoor locations, such as rural settings and urban parks, according to a paper released in May by researchers at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in the UK. www.cheapfares.com