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Features for Senior Citizens
Senior Citizens Least Likely to Take a Summer
Vacation, Boomers on the Go
Just over half of American adults will take
vacation this summer
 July 10, 2007 What the Harris Poll calls
Matures, which are people age 62 and older, are far less likely than
younger people to take a summer vacation. But, watch out for the Baby
Boomers (those 43 to 61), they will be on the move, according to Harris
Interactive.
As we enter the early stages of this years summer
vacation period, just over half (54%) of U.S. adults have taken or plan
to take a summer vacation is year.
But, four in ten Matures (42%) will not take a vacation
this summer versus just 34 percent of Baby Boomers. These vacations are
not only domestic; one in ten adults will be traveling internationally.
These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of
2,372 U.S. adults conducted online between June 5 and 11, 2007 by Harris
Interactiveฎ.
Spending On Vacations
Among those who are taking vacations this summer,
one-third (34%) will be spending more than they did last year while two
in five (42%) will be spending about the same and 17 percent will be
spending less.
Two in five Baby Boomers (38%) plan to spend more
money on summer vacations this year, compared to 14 percent who plan to
spend less. Baby Boomers outpace all other generations in the relative
increase of year-over-year discretionary vacation spending.
When it comes to actual spending, almost half (47%)
of those planning on taking a vacation say they will spend over $1,000
this summer while one-quarter (25%) will spend between $501 and $1000.
One in five (22%) will spend between $201 and $500
while 6 percent say they will spend under $200 on their vacation this
year. Echo Boomers (aged 18 to 30) are spending on the lower end this
year as just three in ten of this generation will spend over $1,000.
When it comes to big-ticket spending, half of
Matures (55%), Baby Boomers (52%) and Gen Xers (those 31 to 42) (50%)
report that they will spend over $1,000 on their summer vacations.
"Baby Boomers remain one of the most coveted
marketing segments for the travel industry. They rank number one or two
in the key categories of taking vacations, spending greater than $1,000
on their vacations, and among relative spending levels compared to last
year," according to Jim Quilty, vice president of Harris Interactives
Travel and Tourism practice.
Types of vacations
A majority of those taking a vacation this summer
(51%) will be doing something near and dear to them visiting friends
and family. One-third (35%) say they will take a scenic trip while three
in ten (30%) will take a beach vacation and two in ten will each do
historical sightseeing (22%) or visit a big city (21%).
The younger generation and older generation are
more likely to visit friends and family. Well over half of Echo Boomers
(57%) and 56 percent of Matures report this is what they are doing this
summer. For many Gen Xers, its sun and surf as 36 percent of this
generation say they are taking a beach vacation this summer.
TAKING A SUMMER VACATION?
"Have you taken or are you planning to
take a vacation this summer?"
Base: All U.S. adults
|
|
Total |
Generation |
|
Echo Boomers (18-30) |
Gen. X (31-42) |
Baby Boomers (43-61) |
Matures (62+) |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
| YES (NET) |
54 |
53 |
54 |
56 |
49 |
| Yes, domestic
vacation only |
43 |
41 |
43 |
47 |
42 |
| Yes, both
domestic and international vacation |
7 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
| Yes,
international vacation only |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| No, will not be
taking a vacation this summer |
35 |
33 |
35 |
34 |
42 |
| Not sure |
11 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100 percent
due to rounding.
>>
More at Harris Interactive, click here
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