Adults Only: Parents say ideal vacation includes open bar, separate room for kids
Wednesday 26, February 2014
When it comes to booking a family vacation, it appears Canadian parents are more inclined to book a trip that better serves their interests over that of their kids.
Recent study reveals that Canadians are more likely to plan a vacation with their family if it is at a discounted price (49 percent) and if there is an open bar (27 percent).
Additionally, 31 per cent of parents surveyed want a hotel or resort that offers adult-only activities and 17 percent want accommodations to include a separate room for the children. That's not to say that parents are ignoring the needs of their kids altogether; 26 percent of respondents say the hotel or resort must also offer special activities for the kids to keep them occupied.
While it has been a cold and snowy winter for much of Canada, 79 percent of Canadians surveyed said that they are not planning to go away this March compared to 46 per cent of Americans, who are arguably having a warmer winter. Indeed, only 21 percent of Canadians surveyed say they will travel to escape winter. Instead, they are opting to stay home during their time off. Thirty-six percent of Canadians surveyed reported that a "staycation" in their hometown is less affordable than it used to be. Time to fill up the fridge, Mom? Twenty-two percent of Canadian parents surveyed found that when their kids are home during their March break, household spending tends to increase.
"A trip or activities for the whole family during March Break can be costly and time-consuming to plan," says Angela Self, co-founder of Smart Cookies. "But doing your research ahead of time to hunt for discounts will help you find the best deals for either getting away or planning a fun staycation."
The survey also reveals that of all Canadians who travel, over half (65 percent) book their vacation online, compared to 75 percent of their tech-savvy neighbours south of the border. However, the majority of respondents from Atlantic Canada (52 percent) prefer not to book online. Reasons for traveling also differ. Of the most popular reasons Canadians travel, stress relief topped the list (45 percent), followed by more time with the family (34 percent) and to experience other cultures (34 percent).
"With so many Canadians using the Internet every day, it's very surprising that one in three don't book their trips online," says Angela. "Online resources and savings tools are excellent ways to save you time and money."
Other survey findings include:
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