Travelocity Editors Offer Range of Alternate Local Favorite Getaway Options
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Apr 09, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) — While heightened vacation prices have little to no impact on many U.S. consumers and summer vacation trends look strong, some savvy travelers are finding ways to maximize their summer budgets by shortening their trips or exploring local adventures. Following the release of recent data showing that spring breakers are reducing their trips by an average of one full day (based on a five year average), Travelocity is seeing early indications that this trend may continue into the 2007 summer travel season. So far data shows summer length of stay is down slightly from where it was last year.
“What that means is people will still be traveling this summer,” says Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s Editor-at-Large. “However this summer people are more likely to take slightly shorter trips in order to keep their budgets in line. And that means more time at home this summer.” Travelers looking to save this summer or stay close to home have plenty of options.
Travelocity Recommends Traveling in Your Hometown, City or State: -- Indulge in a Local Secret Near you - Travelocity's exclusive LOCAL SECRETS, BIG FINDS(R) report uncovers local treasures that even some of the locals may not be aware of. This first of its kind online collection of authentic local finds throughout North America reveals insider spots that are often overlooked by tourist and guide books. Through content generated for travelers by travelers, Travelocity's - LOCAL SECRETS, BIG FINDS program - which launched in 2003 - includes authentic finds in each of the country's 50 great states and Canada. Highlights include: -- City Island in New York -- Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming -- Perry's Drag Queen Sundays in Washington, DC -- The Silent Movie Theatre in LA These finds are sure to pique the interest of locals and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.travelocity.com/localsecrets. -- Experience a Local Festival - From live circus festivals in Indiana to swimming ponies in Virginia, there's a wide variety of distinctive local festivals within driving distance of your hometown. An example of Travelocity's favorites include: -- Pony Swim and Auction (Virginia): Become a salt water cowboy at the Chincoteague and Asseteague Islands' pony-penning festival, where herds of wild ponies swim from the grazing grounds on Asseteague Island to Chincoteague Island before they're auctioned to their new homes. July 25 & 26, 2007 -- DaVinci Days (Oregon): A festival celebrating art, science, technology, and "everything Leonardo stood for," spans for three days and includes kinetic sculpture vehicles races, a sidewalk chalk-art competition for the kids, a film festival, international food court, music on three stages, and much more. July 20-22, 2007 -- Circus Week (Indiana): Peru, the self proclaimed circus capital of the world, invites the whole town to celebrate July with high-flying stunts, parades, a carnival and amazing circus shows preformed by talented young acrobats and magicians from all over the world. July 14th-21st, 2007 -- Volunteer Close to Home - With volunteer programs tailored for everyone from families to college students, travelers can spend their spare vacation days lending an extra hand to those in need. For a variety of volunteer options close to home, check out Take Pride in America(R) which is a national partnership that works to engage volunteers in improving public parks, forests, grasslands, and wildlife refuges all across America. "You don't have to spend a lot of money to do something fun for the whole family. Something wonderful awaits within your own grasp by visiting a unique and local experience found all around North America," Ziff says. "Of course you can always do something for someone else by volunteering. Perhaps that's the best way to appreciate exactly where you are."
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip – and is the only online travel company that guarantees not just the price, but the entire travel experience – see www.travelocity.com/guarantee for details. This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the sixth largest travel agency — booking $10.1 billion in travel worldwide in 2006. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel commerce.
SOURCE:
Travelocity
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