A USA Today Travel article published recently with the headline “Americans ready for vacation, despite high gas prices” claims that “More than six of 10 Americans say it’s important they get away from home this year.” The article also says that most are willing to find a way to go on vacation despite the rising gas prices.
You would think that with increasing costs all around the board from airfare to gas prices to hotel prices most people would prefer to stay home or in other words opt out of a vacation for a staycation. However, Anne Banas, executive editor of the website SmarterTravel, was quoted in the article saying, “I think the ‘staycation’ is dead. People are sick of it.” During the recession we saw many people choose a staycation. People were saving their money or conserving any way possible during the hard times. However, now even the fluctuating fees and rising prices in the travel industry do not play a huge factor in deciding to stay or go. People are going. After skipping vacation last year or the year before people want to get away regardless of the prices.
Because people are traveling despite prices, it does not mean that people are just spending and spending without a care. Travelers are not only going but they are willing to hunt for bargains. Brian Hoyt, spokesman for the online travel company Orbitz, is quoted saying, “Consumers are saying, ‘I’m still going to go, but I’m going to do it smartly… You’re seeing the consumer be very savvy this summer season but again refusing to give up their right to travel.”
Sean Oakley, Marketing Manager at Travel Advantage Network or TAN (A Sundance Vacations vendor) said, “The volume of booking for TAN(Sundance Vacations) clients has stayed consistent, despite rising gas prices. This is a good illustration of one of the biggest benefits of our program: inflation protection. Our clients don’t have to worry about any rising cost in their TAN vacations, which makes it easier for them to travel in the face of rising gas prices.”
In fact, Sundance Vacations and TAN are helping customers travel even more in 2011. Together we created a Value Season deal, which cuts the cost of Peak Season fees in half for select months in various locations. This cuts back on the amount of time a location was normally considered in Peak Season. So instead of travling for $30 a night during peak, customers now have the option to travel for $15 a month during the new Value season.
Along with Value Season deals, we also split up locations to accommodate more value season dates. Candy Bednar, VP of Business Development, explains, “Another exciting change to the destination list is that Hawaii has been designated by two separate areas just like our Florida destinations. This separation of Maui, Hawaii and Molokai, Hawaii gave way to add a three month value season to Molokai for September, October, and November. I think this is a great opportunity to get our clients on that Hawaiian vacation that they have been dreaming about! It’s already got me thinking about a fall getaway to paradise for a few days!”
With people traveling and relentlessly hunting for the best deals Sundance Vacations is here to accommodate that need and many others at our wide variety of locations and properties at a fraction of normal travel prices.
For more information, updates, travel tips and news from Sundance Vacations, be sure to follow us on the following social media outlets: