Tag: Choice

  • Why This Type Of Travel Is The Top Choice For Americans This Spring

    Why This Type Of Travel Is The Top Choice For Americans This Spring

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    Well, there’s good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news. According to a new survey, only 25% of Americans plan to take a vacation within the U.S. this year. Borrrring!

    But…the good news is one of the most fun ways to travel is destined to make an epic comeback this year.

    While the first set of survey results are a downer since there are so many awesome places in the U.S. to explore, at least there’s hope for a resurgence for a long lost travel trend.

    Aerial view of car on a road next to ocean

    While digital nomadism and solo travel are taking over the planet, there is an old-school way of seeing the world.

    Now that winter plans are coming to a close, the classic all-American road trip is calling travelers’ names yet again this spring.

    No more icy roads and snow plows, just open roads and blue skies to some of America’s top destinations.

    Survey Says…

    car passenger with open window

    The American Survey (powered by What If Media Group) resulted in U.S. travelers ready to put rubber to pavement this spring.

    A majority of participants, 63% in fact, will pack up their bags and travel exclusively by car on their next trip.

    A variety of factors have caused travelers to come to this decision to revive a classic way to see the sites.

    Most importantly, revenge travel is best served by any means necessary. If that means sticking the highways and backroads at 60 mph rather than taking to the skies at nearly tenfold speeds, that’s what travelers are ready to do.

    man next to car overlooking mountians

    But, why now?

    Lower Fuel Prices

    In a world emerging with electric cars, they’re not exactly catered to road trips with the extra pit stops to charge up and the sweat-induing range anxiety drivers face.

    You can’t turn on the news without hearing back-and-forth political ping-pong about gas prices, but the reality is fuel has dropped significantly since last September.

    Remember the rental car fiasco after the pandemic too? Well, that’s long gone as well. The bottom line is traveling by car is a whole lot cheaper nowadays.

    road trip on scenic mountain road

    These cost-saving measures are much more appealing now and just in time to make plans for Spring Break.

    Nostalgia

    Ever have those thoughts of “the good ol’ days”? We all do. Being that we live in just a fast-paced society, sometimes it’s nice to take a step back.

    In other words, the ‘scenic route’ can be much more enjoyable than the give-to-me-now way. Despite airfare dropping as well, travelers are seeking nostalgic experiences.

    smiling passenger on road trip

    Maybe you have the desire to visit a place you went to as a child or are just seeking peace by listening to the radio on a long drive rather than being force-fed music by algorithms.

    There’s no right or wrong answer, but we all seek it in one way or another. Growing up, we probably all had our own dreams of traveling, but we definitely all had the same dream of getting our drivers license.

    There’s just something intangible about an all-American road trip.

    Avoid The Hassles

    Air travel may be the safest, but it can also be the most frustrating in multiple ways. From overbearing TSA agents to flight delays to being herded like cattle and being squeezed into tight spaces, at least you have more control behind the wheel.

    route 66

    Sure, you may hit some traffic jams depending on where you’re going, but is there anything worse than flight delays or even cancellations altogether?

    Booking flights to far-flung places is undoubtedly the most efficient, but when it comes to visiting destinations in our own backyard, road trips became a lost art.

    Flying over the ocean, National Parks and iconic cities does provide incomparable views, but a coastal drive or the infamous Route 66 is a whole different vibe planes just can’t match.

    Plus, bringing pets on planes is a near-impossible task. You can bring the whole crew with nobody’s permission needed and enjoy the open road at your own pace.

    road trip with dog

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    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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  • 5 Reasons Why Cruises Are Becoming A Top Vacation Choice For Young Professionals

    5 Reasons Why Cruises Are Becoming A Top Vacation Choice For Young Professionals

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    Young professionals are the future of cruising. 

    According to the Cruise Lines International Association’s annual report, 25 to 40-year-olds are the most enthusiastic demographic for both returning to cruises and trying cruising for the first time. 

    woman looking at map in front of cruise ship

    While you’d expect more of a silver-haired crowd on a typical cruise, it’s still not a total shock that younger crowds are turning to the seas.

    Travelers in their 20s and 30s today are the product of family-friendly cruising promotions in the early 2000s, now grown up and returning to the familiar no-plans-needed vacation staple. But why are they opting into cruising now?

    Social Media 

    Cruise lines are getting the word out on social media: This isn’t your parents’ cruise experience.

    Algorithms on TikTok and Youtube give a helping hand to cruise vlogs that showcase more relaxed on-deck environments, improved “foodie” dining experiences, trendy activities, and adventurous excursions. Most highlight the excellent value and all-inclusive ease of cruising.

    woman of color on cruise ship

    Some videos showcase remote work from the pool deck for a picture-perfect workation, while others lure in young professionals with the promise of digital detox. 

    Virgin Voyages is one of the cruise providers tapping into the potential of social media to include younger travelers. Virgin recently engaged over 1 million TikTok users with a viral #NowWereVoyaging dance challenge to the tune of its Karma Chameleon music-video-style ad campaign. 

    “We’ve seen that piece of advertising be three times more effective than any other advertising we’d ever done,” Virgin president Nirmal Saverimuttu recently told CBS. 

    cruise ship from above blue water

    Updated Amenities and Customization

    Move over dress codes and shuffleboard. Today’s cruises offer unpretentious hospitality that prioritizes the unique experiences younger professionals value. 

    Fresh amenities tailored for the 25 to 40-year-old crowd include:

    • Silent discos
    • Brunch bars
    • Wine tastings
    • Vegan options
    • Escape rooms
    • Laser tag
    • Outdoor yoga
    • Mixology classes
    • Improved Wi-Fi
    • Culturally immersive excursions
    • Adventure sports

    While the wider variety of age-appropriate amenities is definitely a perk, the increasing flexibility and uber-customization of these activities really attracts young professionals. 

    This age group dances to the beat of their own drum, and wouldn’t be caught dead being herded into the same inflexible activities as every other passenger every day. They know what they want, so cruise lines are letting them have it.

    cruise ship at night lit up

    Sampling Multiple Countries

    Young professionals are short on PTO and budget-conscious. Cruises let them sample the maximum number of destinations in one hassle-free short trip before choosing where to spend their hard-earned dollars and vacation days.

    This way, travelers don’t need to commit to a place they’ve never seen before. They can feel confident in planning their next extended vacation in a destination they loved from the cruise route. 

    Destination sampling also lets younger travelers have diverse off-ship experiences and create more social media content from a variety of destinations in the same trip. 

    Travel advisor Mary Jane Manole of Luxx Travel recently told Travel Weekly, “Young travelers like to be challenged, excited and have material for their social media.”

    couple on rafting activity in jamaica

    Ready-Made Itinerary

    Many young professionals are dealing with decision fatigue as they reach pivotal moments in their careers and personal lives all at the same time. 

    Under persistent stress about whether you’re making the right choices, a ready-made vacation with someone else at the helm may be just what the doctor ordered.

    “The hardest decision I had to make over the course of four days was which deck chair to pick for my morning sunbathing session,” explained young professional Sara Bosworth when trying out Carnival Pride.

    Cruise ship balconies with a tropical shoreline in the background

    To Celebrate

    Your twenties and thirties are a time of big changes and celebration-worthy wins: promotions, new jobs, business launches, home ownership, marriage, milestone birthdays, and more. Cruises have long represented festivity, so younger travelers are rightly turning to the seas to toast their successes.

    “Young customers are most often on board to celebrate, for a birthday, graduation, work promotion or even a divorce,” said Nathan Rosenberg, the chief brand officer at Virgin Voyages, recently commented

    With customized celebration packages, all-inclusive alcohol options, and on-deck parties and clubs, cruise ships are a great way for young professional travelers to celebrate their achievements. 

    woman toasting champagne on cruise ship

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  • Is Airbnb Still A Great Choice For Travelers In 2023?

    Is Airbnb Still A Great Choice For Travelers In 2023?

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    The hospitality industry has been changing a lot since the pandemic. Not only the business model but also travelers’ experiences. For years, Airbnb has been a disruptive company that offers great and cheaper solutions for travelers, but this has changed, and guests no longer feel as safe and welcome as they used to.

    Host meeting travelers in front of the house

    Renting a vacation stay on Airbnb was a great alternative to hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid large crowds and for workcation experiences. But prices have significantly increased—a 37% increase in 2022 compared to the same quarter in 2019— and travelers are seriously considering hotels as better and even cheaper alternatives. 

    In a recent viral tweet, writer Jeremy Gordon said that he stayed at a Holiday Inn instead of an Airbnb, and he considered it a glamorous experience. The amusing tweet had hundreds of comments—and complaints— from users. The discontent is not new. Many travelers have been disapproving of Airbnb’s services for a long time now. 

    Why are travelers showing a preference for hotels? Here are a few of the main reasons why travelers are no longer considering Airbnb as the best accommodation option in 2023:

    Hosts’ Cleaning requests

    Just a few months ago, users raged all over the internet to complain about demanding hosts forcing guests to clean before departure while still paying costly cleaning fees. One guest, Necole Kane, said that during her vacation in Arizona, the host had her complete a long chore list after she had already paid a $375 cleaning fee. By the time she finished all the tasks, Necole was late for a tour she had booked. After all that headache, is it really a vacation anymore? 

    Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

    women sitting on the floor doing the laundry.jpeg

    Last year, the average cleaning fee on Airbnb in the United States was $143, and many hosts are requesting travelers not only wash the dishes but also clean, sweep, and take care of the linens. Guests are not happy and are getting tired of working during their vacations.

    Missing Items And Unexpected Situations

    Will you find enough toilet paper or towels? This is never a question when staying at a hotel, but a frequent one when staying at an Airbnb. Each host has their own rules regarding hospitality, so travelers usually have to be prepared to run to the grocery store upon arrival when reality does not meet their basic demands. 

    Man reaching hidden key over door  to open the house

    Check-in and check-out are also usually a mystery and can be stressful. Will your host be there by the time you arrive? Will you have to meet them and make small talk after a long flight? Will you have to wait for them to open the door? Will you find the hidden key? A Tiktok user recently went viral after describing the check-in experience as being in a show called “home invaders.”

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    hotels vs airbnbs

    ♬ original sound – matt buechele

    Privacy And Hidden Cameras Concerns

    Security has been a major concern for Airbnb users. A few months ago, a survey revealed that 58% of guests were concerned about hidden cameras in their Airbnbs, and many travelers have found them in their temporary homes. 

    Camera Inside Airbnb and man sitting on the couch in the back

    Airbnb’s policy states that security cameras are allowed as long as they are disclosed on the listing and cannot be placed in private areas like the bedroom or the bathroom. But how can travelers know if they are being recorded? How much privacy do they really have? What about remote workers who need to protect their company’s information? There are many gray areas, and the topic has aroused debate.

    Hotels And Airbnbs

    Airbnb has made changes to optimize its services, like updating its platform to show cleaning and other fees in the final price, as many travelers were complaining that the final price was higher than the one featured on the feed. However, prices sometimes are still high and comparable to hotel prices. 

    Happy backpacker traveller stay in high quality hotel

    Hotels do not make guests clean up before departure, and some travelers are reconnecting to hotel services and describing them as “luxurious” and more relaxing than Airbnb. Now large hotel chains like Marriott are launching new products and services to compete against Airbnb and offer guests the best of both worlds. 

    Travelers laying on hotel bed after arrival suffering from jet lag

    There are still great Airbnb listings and many options on the platform, and the company is making major efforts to become digital nomads’ preferred option, but travelers must consider all pros and cons before booking their stay in 2023.

    Man holding phone looking at airbnb listing in new york city

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