“Despite the economy, people will still be vacationing this summer,” says Pierre Bennett, founder and president of Global Holidays, Inc., a travel and marketing company based in Vienna, Virginia.
“However, their length-of-stays and destinations will be adjusted because of the current recession,” Bennett adds.
Pierre Bennett says that many vacationers will forgo international destinations and air travel, choosing locations that are closer to home and within driving distance. With gas prices nearly half of what they were one year ago, Bennett notes that many will be using their cars as a main source of transportation.
Bennett’s views are backed by recent travel data, which indicates forty-five percent of vacationers this summer will drive instead of fly. And despite the unemployment rate and economic situation, those who are still employed will use their vacation days to travel in lieu of staying home.
However, additional figures and data also suggest changes in travel behavior from previous years.
According to Harris Interactive, twenty-seven percent of summer travelers will decrease the duration of their trips, sixty-two are looking for cheaper accommodations and fifty-eight percent are looking for less expensive activities.
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start to the summer travel season, Pierre Bennett and Global Holidays have partnered with many travel-related organizations to prepare for the coming summer travel season, offering incentives and discounts for those looking to vacation this coming summer.
For more information on Pierre Bennett or Global Holidays, visit http://pierre-
