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NEW YORK — Summer is nearly here, and plenty of people will be “leaving town,” “taking some time off,” or “getting away from it all” very soon! However, did you know travelers are very particular about the words they use to describe their adventures away from home? It turns out that 80 percent of Americans think 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. Researchers reveal that a “vacation” is most commonly defined as travel strictly for relaxation (53%). Meanwhile, a “trip” is travel for a purpose, such as an event (32%) or simply getting out of their hometown (30%).
Arriving at the hotel (59%) and getting the first breath of ocean air (47%) are two signs you’ve entered “vacation mode.”
Whether on vacation or taking a trip, three in five (60%) are opting to drive to their destinations this year, and 23 percent of those respondents are doing so because they’re hoping to spend more time bonding with their travel companions. 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.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Motel 6, the results also revealed that for their summer getaways, travelers are attending events such as family and friend reunions (48%), while others look to explore a new city (36%) or simply kick back and relax out of town (60%). Americans are also contributing to their travel adventures by taking on various roles, such as the “relaxation reminder” (23%) — encouraging everyone to take it easy while away.
Other roles Americans take on during their summer travels are the “trip coordinator” (28%), “activities and excursion guide” (22%), and let’s not forget about the infamous “backseat driver” (10%).
“There’s nothing better than cruising on the highway with the windows down, Sun shining, and music playing, especially when you’re surrounded by your loved ones – even those on four legs,” says Julie Arrowsmith, President and CEO of G6 Hospitality, the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6, in a statement. “Whether you’re the planner or just along for the ride, there are pet-friendly and affordable lodging options available so you can relax, enjoy the journey, and focus on creating memories.”
For their getaways, most American summer travelers will stay at a hotel (61%), followed by rental homes (27%) and family member’s homes (22%). Of those who are staying in a hotel, most travelers admit to not unpacking and keeping their items in their luggage (57%), though many still use the dresser (34%) or closet (47%).
When considering the timing of their adventure, travelers are choosing a mix of holiday and off-holiday weekends as their ideal time for getaways (43%), while a few prefer one or the other.
Those who prefer holiday weekends (9%) do so because there are other activities and events on those dates (42%), and it’s easier to get time off approved by their boss (40%). One in four Americans (26%) believe off-holiday weekends are better because destinations are less busy (65%), they can experience cities like the locals do (41%), and tickets are usually cheaper (52%).
When it comes to cost, almost nine in 10 (87%) said that cost will impact their travel plans this summer, with most (63%) saying it will have more of an impact than last year. Discount codes or other deals that can help offset the costs are proving important to 40 percent of travelers surveyed.
Nearly a quarter of Americans (23%) said they aim to plan trips in advance to find the best deals, and for those with travel fever, this strategy could help them get away more often.
“Summer trips should be memorable, but they shouldn’t have to break the bank,” Arrowsmith adds. “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.”
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans with summer leisure plans was commissioned by Motel 6 between March 22 and March 30, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
