Top vacation types include visiting family and friends, going to the beach and sightseeing
As Labor Day approaches, the traditional end of summer vacation season draws to a close. According to a new survey, two-thirds (66%) of U.S. adults say they have taken or will take a vacation this summer. For many, their summer vacations will consist of visiting family and friends while others will go to the beach or visit historical sights.
When going on vacation, there are items that Americans feel are essential to take with them including personal hygiene items, clothing, medication and not surprisingly, money. In addition, more than half (52%) of adults feel there are things missing from the majority of their hotel stays and they would be willing to pay extra for some of these items or services.
These are the results of a new Harris Poll of 2,339 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between July 12 and 18, 2005.
Specific results from this poll include:
• When traveling this summer, Americans (38%) are most likely to say they will take or have taken a vacation to visit friends and family. Other top vacation types include going to the beach (21%), visiting historical sights or sightseeing (18%), visiting theme parks (17%), taking an active vacation such as hiking or camping (14%) and going to casinos (13%). Others that are somewhat less popular include going to a spa or resort (7%) and taking a cruise (7%).
• When asked what is the one thing they "absolutely must take with them" when traveling on vacation, Americans were most likely to say they must bring personal hygiene items (15%). Other items were medication and prescriptions (14%), clothing (13%), and money and credit cards (12%). Fewer adults feel they must take things such as a camera (7%), cell phone (7%), family members (5%), books and reading material (4%), computer (4%), and pillows and blankets (4%).
• Over half (52%) of adults feel that there is at least one product or service that is missing from most of their hotel stays that they would be willing to pay extra for; 40 percent do not think anything is missing from their stay that they would be willing to pay for, and eight percent are not sure. Topping the list of missing things are business services such as high-speed Internet access or a computer in their room (10%). Other missing items or services people are willing to pay extra for include a spa, Jacuzzi or massage (5%), a better entertainment system (4%), comfortable mattress (3%), refrigerator or microwave (3%), and better maid service (3%).
• Inevitably people face travel delays. When faced with these situations, reading (59%) is by far the most popular activity that people do to pass the time. Other activities people do to pass the time include playing cards and games (4%), listening to music or books on tape (4%), and sleeping or just relaxing (4%).
TYPE OF SUMMER VACATION PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN OR ARE PLANNING TO TAKE
"What types of vacation have you or are you planning on taking this summer?"
Base: All Adults
%
Visit friends/family 38
Beach vacation 21
Historical/Sightseeing (focus of trip is around
Seeing new sights or visiting a historical area) 18
Theme Park 17
Active vacation (hiking, river rafting, Camping, etc.) 14
Casino/Gambling 13
Spa or Resort (primary purpose to relax) 7
Cruise 7
Conference/conventions/tradeshows 1
Arts/entertainments (i.e., theatre, concerts,
Festivals, etc.) 1
Sporting events *
Other 1
Not planning on taking a vacation this summer 34
%
Business services/high speed internet/computer in room 10
Spa/Jacuzzi/massage 5
Better entertainment system (more TV channels,
DVD Player, TIVO, etc.) 4
Comfortable mattress/pillow/chair/bedding 3
Refrigerator/microwave/kitchenette 3
Cleanliness/better main service 3
Fine dining/good food/better breakfast/lunch/dinner 2
Room service/better room service 2
Snacks/drinks in room 1
Better/brand name hygiene products 1
Quiet 1
Better/faster customer service 1
Coffee maker/more coffee in room 1
Animal friendly/Allow pets 1
Swimming pool 1
Shuttles/Buses/Car Service 1
Concierge service 1
Kid friendly/Child care/Day care/Babysitting 1
Laundry/dry cleaning 1
Fitness center 1
Better/Cleaner/Softer bedding/linens/towels 1
24 hours services (room service, cafe, pool, etc.) 1
Other 9
None 40
Not sure 8
%
Personal Hygiene Items (NET) 15
Toothbrush/Toothpaste 5
Bath/Cleansing products (soap, shampoo, etc.) (SUBNET) 4
Makeup/cosmetics 2
Hair care products (brush, blow dryer, etc.) 2
Razor/Shaving necessities 1
Bug spray/sunscreen/chapstick 1
Contact lens care *
Medication/Prescriptions/Vitamins 14
Clothing (NET) 13
Clothing (other) 9
Shoes/comfortable shoes 2
Underwear/clean underwear 1
Bathing suit 1
Money/credit cards 12
Camera 7
Cell phone 7
Spouse/Family/Children 5
Book/reading material 4
Computer/Laptop/PDA 4
Pillow/Blanket/Linens 4
DVD/CD player/iPod 3
Glasses/contact lenses 2
Passport/Identification 1
Food/drinks 1
Games/Entertainment Toys/Sporting Goods 1
Dog/cat/Other pet 1
Other 6
Nothing 2
Not sure 1
%
Read 59
Playing cards/games 4
Listen to music/Books on tape 4
Sleep/rest/relax 4
People watching 3
Crossword puzzles/puzzle books 3
Shopping/browsing shops 2
Watch TV/Movie/DVD 2
Talk/chat with others 2
Work on laptop/computer/PDA 2
Dining 2
Sightseeing/walking/looking around 2
Drink/visit a bar 2
Don't travel/Don't experience delays 1
Talk on phone 1
Knit/crochet/crafts 1
Check email/surf the Internet 1
Complain/Get angry 1
Other 3
Nothing 3
Not sure 1
