Some Travelers Plan to Stay Close to HomeThis Summer

SOUTHLAKE, Texas--While heightened vacation prices have little to no impact on many U.S. consumers and summer vacation trends look strong, some savvy travelers are finding ways to maximize their summer budgets by shortening their trips or exploring local adventures. Following the release of recent data showing that spring breakers are reducing their trips by an average of one full day (based on a five year average), Travelocity is seeing early indications that this trend may continue into the 2007 summer travel season. So far data shows summer length of stay is down slightly from where it was last year.

“What that means is people will still be traveling this summer,” says Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s Editor-at-Large. “However this summer people are more likely to take slightly shorter trips in order to keep their budgets in line. And that means more time at home this summer.” Travelers looking to save this summer or stay close to home have plenty of options.

An example of Travelocity’s favorites include:

-- Pony Swim and Auction, July 25 & 26, 2007 in Virginia: Herds of wild ponies swim from the grazing grounds on Asseteague Island to Chincoteague Island before they’re auctioned to their new homes.

-- DaVinci Days, July 20-22, 2007 in Oregon: A festival celebrating art, science, technology, and “everything Leonardo stood for,” spans for three days and includes kinetic sculpture vehicles races, a sidewalk chalk-art competition for the kids, a film festival, international food court, music on three stages and much more.

-- Circus Week, July 14th-21st in Indiana: Peru, the self proclaimed circus capital of the world, invites the whole town to celebrate July with high-flying stunts, parades, a carnival and amazing circus shows preformed by talented young acrobats and magicians from all over the world.

-- Volunteer Close to Home: With volunteer programs tailored for everyone from families to college students, travelers can spend their spare vacation days lending an extra hand to those in need. For a variety of volunteer options close to home, check out Take Pride in America(R) which is a national partnership that works to engage volunteers in improving public parks, forests, grasslands, and wildlife refuges all across America.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do something fun for the whole family. Something wonderful awaits within your own grasp by visiting a unique and local experience found all around North America,” Ziff says. “Of course you can always do something for someone else by volunteering. Perhaps that’s the best way to appreciate exactly where you are.”