June 14, 2000
For Information Contact: Ted
Apostol (602) 707-0050
Gas Prices Limit Vacation Plans for Some Valley Residents
PHOENIX — Hiking mountain trails? Enjoying sun and sand? Fishing? Where are Valley residents spending their vacations? Nearly one-third of Phoenix-area residents say "no" to all of the above. They aren't planning to take a vacation this year.
WestGroup Research recently conducted a vacation survey of 417 Phoenix area residents using the WestTrack Market Monitor, Arizona's oldest and largest ongoing omnibus study. When asked about their vacation plans, 31% said they aren't planning one this year.
Some 41% plan out-of-state travel, 9% plan to remain in-state and 16% hope to take advantage of both in-state and out-of-state destinations.
"Vacation plans are tied closely to income," said Ted Apostol, President of WestGroup Research. "About half of the households who earn less than $25,000 annually will not take a vacation this year. On the other hand, 87% of those who earn more than $55,000 will take a vacation — and 29% of them will vacation both in and out of Arizona."
The rising cost of gasoline will affect the vacation plans of 28% of those surveyed; 5% have cancelled all travel plans and 23% said it will limit their travel this year.
As a percentage of all respondents, favorite in-state destinations are Flagstaff (7%), Payson (5%), Tucson (4%), Grand Canyon and Sedona (tied at 3% each). The California coast will, as usual, be the destination of many Phoenicians; with San Diego (12%), Los Angeles (9%) and San Francisco (3%) earning the top California spots. Also strong were Mexico, Colorado and Las Vegas, each the choice of 5% of the respondents.
WestGroup Research is an Arizona-based research firm established in 1959. WestGroup provides "answers" to clients through telephone interviewing, focus groups, mystery shoppers, data services and expert analysis.
