With the pandemic sparking a host of safety concerns and economic challenges, nearly three-fourths of Americans decided against taking a vacation this summer. That’s according to a new study from Value Penguin, which shows the stark difference between summer vacations 2020 and those in previous years.
For many Americans, a summer vacation is a yearly ritual that provides an opportunity to get away, relax and unwind. This year is pretty different…
How Summer Vacations Changed this Year
More than half of respondents — 52% — went on fewer trips, while 36% said they spent less money than usual on travel. Social distancing guidelines limited the number of people who could attend events. This accounts for the fact that 21% of respondents went to fewer special events, such as weddings and graduations.
However, some types of vacations became more popular in the age of COVID-19.
Nearly a third of consumers — 31% — decided to take a summer staycation. Staycations were particularly popular with parents, as 49% of parents with kids under 18 took one this year. In addition, 6% of respondents took more short weekend getaways than usual.
Some people have already written 2020 off and are looking ahead to 2021. Nearly a third — 32% — said they are planning a big vacation next summer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Clayton-Lea
Co-founder of Big 7 Travel, Sarah created the company through her passion for championing the world's best food and travel experiences. Before her career in digital media, where she previously held roles such as Editor of Food&Wine Ireland, Sarah worked in the hospitality industry in Dublin and New York. Contact [email protected]