Baby boomers rekindle love affair with the American road trip
Baby boomers would prefer to spend spare time on a road trip than with children or grandchildren, according to new research.
A survey of over 12,000 people reveals the trend is for more frequent, shorter trips where the destination is a hotel with a large, comfy room.
The research, for Homewood Suites by Hilton, shows baby boomers are traveling primarily within North America and are driving to reach their destinations.
Almost two thirds (61%) are traveling throughout the continental U.S. and Canada, with 40% choosing to drive to their destination, compared with only 28% that indicated a preference for airline travel.
The vast majority of those surveyed (72%) are looking for a large, comfy hotel room to return to after a long day of travel and are spending their travel budgets on shorter, more frequent trips.
Furthermore, 60% are choosing hotels that package valued amenities, such as internet, breakfast and grocery shopping services, into one bundled price.
"We know this segment seeks out value, ample space and comfort when selecting a hotel," said Christian Kuhn, vice president of marketing, Homewood Suites by Hilton.
"Whether joining us for an extended stay vacation or for one night in their journeys, baby boomers feel at home with our suites and amenities."
Over half said they spend less than two months planning for a trip; 83% seek out online customer ratings and of those, 93% say their travel decisions are influenced by review sites.
The research was carried out among members of AARP.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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