Spring is almost here, and our friend's at CheapTickets.com are revealing the latest in spring break travel trends and top destinations for college students, up-and-comers (adults ages 25-34) and families. The research suggest that 42 percent of college students and 36 percent of up-and-comers are planning to take a trip this spring break, compared to 11 percent of families. College students and up-and-comers are spending less on spring break though, with college students' budgets decreasing by 28 percent compared to last year and 90 percent of up-and-comers are willing to consider changing their destination if it means saving money.
Budgets aside, CheapTickets.com found consensus across all groups on spring break activities. All three demographics prioritized relaxation and spending time with family and friends over parties and outdoor activities. "For spring break vacations, California and Florida remain popular destinations but we're also seeing an uptick in interest for international travel, in particular from the up-and-comer demographic," said Justine McDonald, a CheapTickets.com travel expert. "Our survey also found that while a majority of families reported they actively avoid destinations geared towards college kids, less than 10 percent of college students say they are focused on partying when they travel over spring break."
Spring Break Trends For College Students
For college students, traditional beach destinations including Orlando, San Diego, and Myrtle Beach continue to top the list of spring break hot spots that won't break the bank. For the more active spring breaker, Colorado has emerged as a favorite, with both Denver and Colorado Springs topping the list as gateway cities to Colorado's many ski destinations. Yes, college students are budget conscious, and about 93 percent would be willing to consider changing their destination if it meant saving money on spring break.
Up and Comer Travel Trends
This year, the up-and-comer crowd that includes adults ages 25-34, is taking a non-traditional approach to spring break travel with more international destinations including Phuket, Thailand and Tokyo, Japan as well as off-the-beaten-path mountain picks like Bozeman, Montana. For up-and-comers, when it comes to city trips, it's all about trade offs. The reasonably priced airfare to domestic hubs of Las Vegas and Chicago allows this group of travelers to splurge on hotel accommodations. Spending time with family and friends, relaxation, and outdoor activities are the top priorities for up-and-comers. Plus, the studies find that 54 percent of up-and-comers are splitting the cost of spring break with a significant other.
Family Travel Trends
While fewer families are opting to travel during this busy season, the average family budget for spring break travel is up slightly from last year. It's no surprise families heavily favor popular markets of Florida and California this spring break given climate is the top driver of destinations for this group. The majority of families say they plan to drive to their spring break destinations this year, and about 80 percent of families avoid popular spring break destinations known to attract a college-age crowd. However, for some families, spring break isn't only an opportunity to relax in the sun but also a chance to create memories through experiences. This year the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park rose to the top for families hoping to get outside and do some sightseeing.
Find Savings For Your Trip
Along with deals on cheap flights, CheapTickets.com's family of discounted travel products includes cheap hotels, cheap cruises, cheap rental cars, cheap vacation packages, vacation rentals, last minute trips and event tickets. And, CheapTickets.com now offers the CheapCash promotion program where customers can earn rewards towards hotel stays when booking select flights through the website or mobile apps. Visit their website at www.CheapTickets.com to catch up on the latest deals and discounts available.