BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 22, 2008 – As gas prices continue to rise and the economy continues to change, more Americans are opting for shorter-distance travel alternatives that won’t break the bank. According to the Air Transport Association, an estimated 1.3 percent fewer Americans are expected to fly this summer versus the same season last year – with many families choosing to explore local attractions in their hometowns. A wide variety of value-added packages and amenities that have been designed by Doubletree® Hotels to guarantee that even a ‘staycation’ or local area getaway this summer can feel like miles away from home.
“People across America are still finding great places for an economical summer vacation. This year, it’s interesting how many people are becoming tourists in their own town or region and exploring some of those great nearby attractions they tend to take for granted,” said Mary Beth Parks, vice president, brand marketing for Doubletree Hotels. “With more than 190 hotels and resorts located throughout the U.S. and Canada, there’s always a Doubletree hotel or resort that is less than a one-tank trip away. Travelers can save the extra travel time, check in with us, get away from the daily routine at home and enjoy more valuable time with friends and family – all at a place even closer to home than they think.”
Famed travel expert and author of TheTravelMom.com, Emily Kaufman, agrees that the staycation trend is smart way to travel. “Consumers are still eager to take vacations this summer – they are just becoming more resourceful given gas prices and the current economic climate,” says Kaufman. “Value-added packages like the ones offered at Doubletree Hotels provide the perfect opportunity for travelers to avoid the extra gas expenses, additional baggage charges and long lines at the airport to enjoy a cost effective vacation.”
So just how can travelers enjoy a great summer getaway without traveling far from home? Kaufman offers her top five tips for travelers looking to make the most out of their “staycation” below.
• Surf your local area travel websites – Just as people search websites for those faraway vacations, even your own city has a series of travel and visitors bureau sites that provides detailed lists and information for local attractions. All it takes is a slightly different way of web surfing for that summer staycation and consumers can find all sorts of activities and adventures right in their own backyard.
• Love The Ones You’re With – Whether you’re miles from home on an exotic island or minutes from your own front door, the memories you create can be just as great. Take the extra time you get from avoiding the long-haul travel hassles to enjoy the people you’re traveling with. Be sure to take just as many photos too … it’ll make the emotional ties to your destination that much stronger.
• Pick Your Vacation Personality – Make sure that you are creating vacation opportunities that offer something for everyone by picking places that match the personality of people you travel with. For example, do you like to explore new places with sightseeing, museums and attractions or does sitting by the pool relaxing with a book fit your family better? You can easily find all of the above not far from home.
• Stop Speeding Ahead And Slow Down– We live in a busy world with everyone running from one chore or activity to the next every day. It seems obvious, but sometimes it’s hard to remind ourselves that vacations are a time to slow down, unwind and spend meaningful time enjoying the company of the ones we love.
• Save some energy – Turn off the air conditioner at home and leave the hospitality to the hoteliers. Even better, choose a local hotel with a pool to cool off in and enjoy that refreshing plunge in the pool.
Check out www.sanjose.doubletree.com to what kind of staycation packages we have to offer local Silicon Valley residents!
excerpts from Press Release by Hilton Hotels Corp 07/22/08
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