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
VOLLMER
Andrea Collins, 212-715-2222
andrea@vollmerpr.com
Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790
amanda@vollmerpr.com
