PORTLAND, Ore.–Credit unions may have an opportunity to promote loans or credit cards for travel-related expenses this Valentine’s Day.
Americans say they prefer a weekend getaway over chocolates, diamonds and flowers this Valentine's Day, according to a nationwide survey into Valentine's Day habits of more than 1,500 American adults conducted by Vacasa, a vacation rental management company.
The survey found the Florida destinations of Indian Rocks Beach, Key West, and Ft. Myers all ranked in the top 10 destinations for Valentine's Day, but Hawaii was the number-one preferred travel destination.
Among the other findings:
- Baby Boomers want unique experiences, too. While Millennials are often identified as preferring unique experiences over material gifts, 71% of Baby Boomers also expressed the same sentiment, as did 77% of Generation Xers say the same.
- Americans prefer a romantic vacation rental over a ho-hum hotel. Roughly 55% of Americans would rather stay at a unique vacation rental for their Valentine's Day getaway over a one-size-fits-all hotel, the Vacasa survey found. When asked why, 64% of respondents said they want to enjoy the comforts of home.
- Going Phone-Free is a Generational Thing. Fifty-four percent of Millennials said that they would either put the phone down completely or use it rarely when on a Valentine’s Day vacation. “In another surprise, Boomers are split on the subject with 45% going phone-free and 39% choosing not to,” Vacasa said.
- Phone-Free Extends to Partners, As Well. Vacasa said the survey found most generations view their significant other's vacation phone use similarly, with 35% of Gen Z and 29% of Baby Boomers wishing their significant other would spend less time on the phone while on vacation. That’s compared to 37% of Millennials and 32% of Gen Xers want them to spend less time.
Which coast is best? The survey found vacationers clearly prefer the warmer West (44%) and Gulf (44%) Coasts over the East Coast (12%). That said, the number one vacation destination isn't on either coast: it's Honolulu, Hawaii.
The full report can be found here.