With all the talk about the current state of our U.S. economy, the rising cost of gasoline, and the fact that statistically there are still more people traveling by car than airplane, it only makes sense that one of the newly touted trends is the “staycation.”
We know that money concerns, coupled with more job responsibilities, have led many people to take shorter more frequent vacations. This includes shorter lengths of stay and the prevalence of long weekend trips. On top of this, stress factors are increasing in these hard economic times. In spite of these things, we know that down-time and vacations have become more of a necessity than a luxury item.
How to combine a shortage of money and time, yet still satisfy the need for an “escape”? The answer is the “staycation”— the new trend where you visit a resort near your home. I always have been a big advocate of the “playing tourist at home” trip, but now I can call it something new and trendy. I’ve enjoyed many a local stay courtesy of our HSMAI’s annual auction. I’ve checked out competing properties, gotten some great ideas for my travel writing articles, and relaxed at the same time.
Many of our hoteliers advertise locally or cross-state (Fort Myers advertising in Fort Lauderdale and vice versa, for example) during the summer months when in-state vacations are popular. Perhaps you should look to promoting the “staycation” to local residents during all your downtimes? It’s a ready market, getting to your hotel is a short, low-gas usage drive away, and everyone still gets to play tourist and have that much needed break away from home.
Anna Russo with the Riverside Hotel has developed a special summer package just for Florida residents. It’s a stay two nights, get the third night free, and runs from May 1 through September 30th. It also includes a $25 gasoline credit, welcome cocktail, 50% valet discount, 20% discount for their Indigo Restaurant and Grill Room and two Water Taxi passes. How’s this for a great package?
So hoteliers, what are you doing to attract our local residents?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB will be posting Florida Resident Rates on Sunny.org to coincide with the Summer of Discovery 2-for-1 attraction specials.
Post a Comment