NEW YORK, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Maybe money really can buy you
happiness - in the form of a spontaneous vacation that is. We all
look forward to our long awaited and much planned vacations but
taking a spontaneous trip could be the key to relieving stress,
being happier, and adding more romance into our lives, according to
new research released by Booking.com, the world leader in booking
accommodations online.
The survey, which polled 6,620 respondents across six countries
about their attitude towards spontaneity, revealed that Americans
actually see a correlation between their mental health and being
"spontaneous":
- Four out of five respondents (79%) agree that taking a
spontaneous trip 'boosts their happiness'
- Two thirds (65%) stated that it makes them 'more productive at
work'
- Nearly three fourths (74%) of respondents feel it 'reduces
stress'
Results also revealed when people are most likely to just get up
and go. The top season for spur of the moment getaways is summer,
with half (50%) of the vote. More free time (54%), getting away
from the bad weather where they live (37%) and school holidays
(21%) were all cited as top reasons for trying to get away in this
season. Interestingly enough, there doesn't seem to be an exact
"type" of trip that respondents are most hoping to take, with city
trips (69%), foodie trips (67%), seeing family (67%), country
breaks (65%), beach trips (64%) and road trips (64%) all ranking
high on the list of spontaneous getaways.
And for those looking to add a bit of romance to their
relationship, they now can. Forget the old saying 'diamonds are a
girl's best friend' because when it comes to meaningful gifts, what
women all really, really want is a surprise trip away. Three out of
four (76%) Americans agree that taking a spontaneous trip with
their partner helps light up that spark again. In fact, 44% of
American women surveyed said they wish their significant other
would book a last minute trip for no reason at all. Over half of
all women respondants (53%) say the gift that would be most
meaningful to them from a significant other would be a surprise
trip away-much more so than jewellery (8%) or a day at the spa
(8%).
Commenting on the results of the survey Todd Dunlap, Managing Director, Americas said:
"We always try and learn from our customers and what their travel
habits and needs truly are. We've seen a growing trend in travelers
booking 'spontaneously' which is supported by this recent poll, and
that sparked the idea for our newest offering, the Booking Now app.
In just two taps, a traveler can book a stay that meets their needs
and is available immediately."
Booking Now (with over 690,000 accomodations) is available now
for download on Android in the Google Play Store or on iOS via the
Apple Store, and has been rated as one of the top traveler apps by
reputable sources.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted
among 6,620 people (18+) across USA, Canada,
UK, Germany, France and Australia.
Research took place between June and July
2015.
About Booking.com:
Booking.com is the world leader in booking hotel and other
accommodations online. It guarantees the best prices for any type
of property - from small independents to five-star luxury. Guests
can access the Booking.com website anytime, anywhere from their
desktops, mobile phones and tablet devices, and they don't pay
booking fees - ever. The Booking.com website is available in 42
languages, offers over 690,000 hotels and accommodations including
more than 308,000 vacation rental properties and covers over 80,000
destinations in more than 215 countries worldwide. It features over
50 million reviews written by guests after their stay, and attracts
online visitors from both leisure and business markets around the
globe. With over 19 years of experience and a team of over 9,300
dedicated employees in 160+ offices worldwide, Booking.com operates
its own in-house customer service team, which is available 24/7 to
assist guests in their native languages and ensure an exceptional
customer experience.
Established in 1996, Booking.com B.V. owns and operates
Booking.com™, and is part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN).
Follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, like us on Facebook,
or learn more at http://www.booking.com.
SOURCE Booking.com