For most Americans (80%), there is a distinct difference between a ‘trip’ and a ‘vacation’. That’s according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults with travel plans this summer.
The majority of respondents agreed that a vacation is defined as ‘travel for relaxation’.
A trip was defined as travel for a purpose—such as a special event or going somewhere nearby.
Arriving at the destination and getting the first breath of ocean air are two indicators that “vacation mode” is turned on, agreed 60% of those polled.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Motel 6, results revealed that for their summer getaways, overall, travelers are attending events such as family or friend reunions (48%), while others look to explore a new city (36%) or simply kick back and relax (60%).
Whether on vacation or taking a trip, three-fifths (60%) are opting to drive to their destinations this year and 23% are doing so because they’re hoping to spend more time bonding with their travel companions.
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Taking that a step further, nearly eight in 10 (77%) of those who are planning to travel by car said driving to their destination makes their travel experiences more enjoyable.
Americans are contributing to their travel adventures by taking on various roles, such as “trip coordinator” (28%), “activities and excursion guide” (22%) or simply a “relaxation reminder” (23%).
“Whether you’re the planner or just along for the ride, there’s nothing better than to relax, enjoy the journey and focus on creating memories,” said Julie Arrowsmith, President of G6 Hospitality, which owns Motel 6 and Studio 6.
For their getaways, most summer travelers will stay at a hotel (61%), followed by rental homes (27%) and family member’s homes (22%).
When considering the cost, almost nine in 10 (87%) travelers said that cost will impact their travel plans this summer, with 40% saying discount codes or other deals which can offset prices are important. Nearly a quarter of those polled said they aim to plan trips in advance to find the best deals.
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“Summer trips should be memorable, but they shouldn’t have to break the bank,” added Arrowsmith. “For those paying closer attention to their budget this year, you can still book an exciting trip for yourself or with loved ones, and affordable accommodations as well as rewards programs are a great place to start.”
HOW RESPONDENTS DEFINE A TRIP
● Traveling for a purpose or event — 32%
● Getting out of my city/town — 30%
● Somewhere I can drive to — 18%
● When I will only be away for two days or less — 15%
HOW RESPONDENTS DEFINE A VACATION
● Traveling for relaxation — 53%
● Spending more than three days away from home — 36%
● Completely disconnecting from work — 25%
● Getting out of my city/town— 17%