TIA Survey Shows Beach Vacationers Take Longer Vacations and Spend More Money

August 31, 2004

TIA Survey Shows Beach Vacationers Take Longer Vacations and Spend More Money
August 31, 2004 – According to the Travel Industry Association of America’s survey, TravelScope, travelers visiting beach and theme parks tend to take longer vacations and spend more money per trip than overall travelers.

Survey results showed that beach vacationers, who were grouped in with travelers to theme and amusement parks in the survey, are more likely to bring their kids along, fly to their destination and rent a car once they arrive.

Nearly 110 million person-trips (trips that are 50 miles or more away from home) were made by U.S. households to the beach last year. These travelers spent an average of $752 per trip, excluding transportation to their destination, compared to just $398 on the average U.S. trip. More than one-third (36 percent) of beach trips last seven nights or more compared to 4.1 nights overall.

Nearly 79 million of the person-trips last year included theme and amusement parks. Significantly more money was spent on these trips compared to the average U.S. trip ($810 vs. $398). These trips also included longer overnight stays (5.7 nights) compared to the average U.S. trip (4.1 nights).

At least 41 percent of beach vacationers travel with children under 18 years of age, compared with 59 percent of those heading to amusement and theme parks. By comparison, just over one-quarter of overall traveling households include children on their trips.

Also noteworthy, both beach travelers and theme and amusement park travelers are more likely than average to fly to their destination (20 percent vs. 16 percent) and to rent a car upon arrival (six percent vs. three percent).

For complete survey results, visit http://www.tia.org/.