Spring Break Travel Trends

2013-02-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the February edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review designed to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest travel trends. This month, we polled travel agents to learn about their clients’ spring break booking trends. We’ll also touch upon a handy tip to ensure smooth travels this spring break and how Travel Guard came to the rescue when a passport was left behind.

Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you’d like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at aparry@mmgyglobal.com. For more information on our travel insurance programs, please visit www.TravelGuard.com. 

In this month’s issue: 

PULSE POLL: SPRING BREAK TRAVEL TRENDS
TRAVEL TIP: SPRING IT, DON’T WING IT 
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: PASSPORT PASS-OFF

Mother Knows Best: When it comes to selecting a destination for family spring break travel, it’s no surprise that mother knows best. The majority (78%) of agents polled noted that mom’s opinion holds the most weight, followed by dad’s (11%), the kids’ (7%) and grandparents’ (4 %.) The decision is based upon a number of factors, with the most important criterion being price (34%) and activities for both parents and children (32%.) Other important factors include perceived value (23%), destinations that are kid friendly (6%) and locations that are easy to get to (5%.)¹

Family Matters: According to agents polled, a family planning spring break travel most commonly consists of parents with several children of various ages (40%), followed by parents with one or more teens or tweens (29%). Fewer families were spring breaking with grandparents in tow (13%) or taking the youngest travelers along, as only 10% of agents responded that parents with children in elementary school are the most common type of family spring breakers. Only 6% of agents noted parents traveling with teens or tweens and their friends as most common. ¹

Kids Rule: Though parents are footing the bill, more hotels are rolling out amenities designed exclusively for kids, with 46% of agents polled noting special concierge programs for kids and teens as the resort aspect families find most impressive. According to agents, families are also drawn to resorts that invite kids to eat for free with a paying adult (26%), luxurious and/or high tech kids clubs (12%), educational programs (7%) and childcare for a nominal fee (7%.)¹

Hurricane Sandy: Despite Hurricane Sandy sweeping the Eastern seaboard in October 2012, rearranging school vacations for many families in the Northeast, only 20% of agents serving clients in the region noted that Sandy affected booking patterns for winter and spring break travel. More than three-quarters (80%) felt Hurricane Sandy did not affect their clients’ booking decisions. ¹

Fun in the Sun: If money were no object, it appears fun in the sun trumps the slopes this time of year, with 38% of agents polled citing a sunny vacation to Mexico as the “Ultimate Family Spring Break,” followed closely by a Caribbean cruise (32%). In comparison, a mere 5% of agents noted a family ski trip as their clients’ dream spring break vacation. Agents also cited a journey through Europe (19%) and an adventure trip to South or Central America (5%) as the “Ultimate Family Spring Break.” ¹

Better Safe than Sorry: When planning family spring break travel, the majority (56%) of agents polled said their clients are most concerned with flight delays or cancellations disrupting travel, followed by 30% who cited medical emergencies postponing or delaying a trip as their clients’ greatest fear. Additional concerns include needing immediate assistance should travel plans go awry outside of the U.S. (13%) and lost luggage (2%). The vast majority of agents (81%), noted their clients prepare for these concerns by purchasing a travel insurance policy. ¹

TRAVEL TIP: SPRING IT, DON’T WING IT 

With warmer weather and time off from school, spring is an opportunity for many families and college students to get away and recharge. However, while a spring break should be carefree, careful travel planning can mean the difference between the trip of a lifetime and a spring break nightmare. Whether a family misses the first leg of their European cruise because of a flight delay or a student traveler loses their passport in Cancun, a travel insurance plan can come to the rescue. 

Travel Guard plans include coverage for the unexpected, including medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage and travel documents and delayed or cancelled flights. The popular Gold Plan covers children aged 17 and under at no additional cost. Travelers can choose from a variety of plans that best meet the needs of their customized trip, with most plans costing around 7% of the total trip cost, so travelers can take off with confidence knowing their trip investment is covered. 

For the complete line of travel insurance and assistance service plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com. 

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: PASSPORT PASS-OFF

Jill W. of Minneapolis and her family were headed to Curaçao for vacation. Her daughter, Lindsey, was away at college in Denver and planned to meet them at the airport. Upon arriving in Miami to catch a connecting flight, Lindsey realized she had forgotten her passport back at school. 

Fortunately, the family had purchased a travel insurance plan through Travel Guard, and Lindsey had a helpful roommate. Lindsey’s roommate brought the passport to the Denver airport where Travel Guard representatives worked with airline personnel to fly the passport to Miami where the family was waiting. 

The passport arrived just in time for the family to board their flight to Curaçao and enjoy their vacation. After the ordeal, Jill contacted Travel Guard and said, “Crisis averted thanks to Travel Guard. We will never travel without you.” 

 
About Travel Guard
Travel Guard Worldwide, Inc., a Chartis company and worldwide leader in travel insurance and assistance, provides products and services to millions of travelers around the globe, including a wide range of emergency services through its wholly-owned assistance centers located in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Travel Guard helps leisure and business travelers alike solve problems and manage risks. Travel Guard’s global reach, unparalleled service quality and proven operational capabilities allows clients to receive best-in-class care. Travel Guard’s suite of technology platforms enables seamless integration with all major travel distribution systems and supplier channels. The travel insurance products marketed by Travel Guard are underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our websites at www.travelguard.com and www.travelguard.ca. 

The coverage listed here is for U.S. residents only. To learn more about coverage in Canada, please call 1-866-648-8422. 

This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 175 Water Street, New York, NY 10038. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Travel assistance services provided by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (“Travel Guard”).

If you’d like more information about Travel Guard news, contact:

Carol Mueller
1.715.295.9123
Carol.Mueller@travelguard.com 

Shannon Semmerling
1.715.295.0950
Shannon.Semmerling@travelguard.com 

Ashley Norman / Anna Parry
MMGY Global
1.212.219.7560 ext 6777 / 6766
anorman@mmgyglobal.com
aparry@mmgyglobal.com