The Top Five Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your “Staycation” (NAPSA)—The new vacation math is simple. As gas prices go up, long-distance trips go down. Actually, more American families are opting for short-distance travel alternatives that won’t break the bank. According to the Air Transport Association, an estimated 1.3 percent fewer Americans are expected to fly this summer versus the same season last year—with many families choosing to explore local attractions in their hometowns. The trend at one popular hotel chain backs this up. “People across America arestill looking for great places to spend time away for an economical summer getaway. This year, we’re noticing more people are becomingtourists in their own town and exploring some of those great nearby attractions they tend to take for granted,” said Mary Beth Parks, vice president, Doubletree Hotels. Be More Resourceful Famedtravel expert and author of TheTravelMom.com, Emily Kaufman, says, “Consumers are still eager to take vacations this summer—they are just becoming more resourceful given gas prices and the current economic climate. Travel packages provide the perfect opportunity for travelers to avoid the extra gas expenses, additional baggage charges and long lines at the airport to enjoy a costeffective vacation.” So just how do you have a great family vacation experience without traveling far from home? Kaufman offers her top five tips for travelers looking to make the most out of their “staycation”: oo DOWN—Even when you stay closer to home, there’s still plenty of destinations everyone in the family will enjoy. “Staycation” Tips 1. Surf Local-Area Web Sites—Every city has a local visitors and convention bureau that provides detailed lists and information about local attractions. All it takes is a little digging and consumers can find free activities and adventures without having to drive toofar. 2. Love The Ones You’re With—Whether you’re miles from home on an exotic island or minutes from your own backyard, the memories you create can be the same. Take the time to enjoy the people you're traveling with and be sure to take lots of photos; it'll make the emotional ties to your destination that much stronger. 3. Pick Your Vacation Personality—Makesure that you are creating vacation opportunities that offer something for everyone by picking destinations that match the personality of your individual family. For example, are you a family that likes to explore new places with sightseeing, museums and attractions, or does sitting by the pool relaxing with a book fit your family better? You can easily find all the above not far from home. 4, Slow Down—Welive in a busy world, with everyone running from oneactivity to the next in daily life. Vacations are a time to slow down, unwind and spend meaningful time enjoying the companyof one another. 5. Save Some Energy—Turn off the air conditioner at home and leave the hospitality to the hoteliers. Even better, choose a local hotel with a pool to cool off in and enjoy that plunge in thepool. Some of the getaway packages available today at local hotels include room rates with such added touches as a complimentary breakfast for two adults and two kids or a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival for a touch of romance. Doubletree Hotels, for example, offer such summerspecials to staycationers, so they can reduce those vacation costs even further. One such example is a fun kidsCAREpak promotion for families this summer. All kids ages 3 through 12 staying at participat- ing hotels through Labor Day weekend will receive a complimentary Olympic sports-themed backpack filled with toys and gamessuch as hacky sacks, flying saucers, coloring books and crayons, and more. For more information on the expanded array of packages and promotions available, travelers can visit www.doubletree.com.
