The Rise of the Staycation: Why You Should Holiday at Home This Year

A new report shows that staycations are on The Rise of the Staycation, with more and more people choosing to holiday at or near home rather than travel far distances. With concerns over finances, health, the environment, and simple travel hassles, staycations allow us to prioritize relaxation while supporting local businesses and communities. This year is an excellent time to join the staycation trend and discover benefits right in your own backyard!

Introduction

A recent survey by [source] revealed over 60% of respondents plan to have a staycation this year instead of traditional vacations involving flights, hotels, and pre-planned activities. With the COVID-19 pandemic prompting a resurgence of staycations over the past few years, this trend shows no signs of slowing even as travel restrictions ease in many places. In fact, there are more compelling reasons than ever to join the staycation movement in 2023!

So what exactly is a staycation? By definition, it is a vacation spent close to home avoiding extensive travel. Staycations allow you to explore attractions, destinations, cuisines, and experiences right in your local area or at home. Popular staycation activities include visiting local parks, museums, restaurants, entertainment venues, or even just relaxing at home with movies, games, DIY spa days and good food.

The best part? Staycations offer exceptional benefits for your wallet, health, community, and the planet. Here are the top reasons why you should make 2023 the year of the staycation rather than shelling out for plane tickets and high-priced excursions abroad.

Reason 1: Staycations Save Money

Finances are one of the driving motivations behind the staycation trend, especially given the current economic climate plagued with high inflation, rising interest rates, and recession worries. Most travel expenses like flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities have increased in price over 10-30% in the past year according to [source]. Add in the consistently high costs of dining out, souvenirs and other purchases, and the average vacation abroad can quickly cost upwards of $5,000 for a family.

Meanwhile, staycations allow you to save an average of 30-50% compared to traditional vacations depending on the length and activities chosen. Since the largest line items like transport and lodging are minimized or eliminated, you mainly just have to budget for local attractions, dining, and entertainment of your choice. Those savings can then be used for paying off debts, saving for retirement, home improvements, hobbies, or autre worthwhile investments.

Some ways to maximize value from a staycation include:

Taking advantage of local happy hour specials and kids eat free nights
Using Groupons, Restaurant.com certificates and entertainment member discounts
Visiting free parks, museums, festivals and attractions
Checking local events calendars for free concerts, movies in the park, etc
Cooking quick healthy meals at home to minimize dining out expenses

So while staycations may not come with the same Instagram-worthy backdrops, your wallet will thank you for saving by holidaying closer to home!

Reason 2: Avoid Travel Stress and Health Risks at The Rise of the Staycation

In addition to cost savings, staycations also let you avoid the significant hassles and headaches associated with vacations involving planes, trains, hotels and new destinations. Airport chaos has made headline news all year with massive cancelations, delays, lost baggage and crammed flying tin cans prime for spreading viruses and anxiety.

Minimizing time in crowded airports and airplanes lowers risks of picking up illnesses like COVID-19, flu and common colds. This allows your body to actually relax on vacation rather than battling sickness. Staycations also decrease stress levels by avoiding unwelcome travel surprises like overnight layovers, lost luggage, rental car breakdowns, undisclosed hotel fees and other unplanned annoyances.

Further, staying close to home fosters a more relaxed, restorative environment for you to mentally recharge in. The familiarity of your own bedroom, kitchen, neighborhood parks and community likely offers comfort versus trying to navigate a brand new place. Things as simple as your favorite café, nostalgic restaurants, and local jogging route might bring joys that exotic destinations cannot.

Some tips for making the most of your recuperative staycation include:

*Scheduling ample unstructured downtime to sleep in and laze around

*Unplugging from digital devices to immerse in nature, books or hobbies

*Reconnecting with friends and family nearby over home-cooked meals

*Indulging in relaxing DIY luxury spa treatments involving face masks, bath bombs, foot soaks, essential oils, etc

*Establishing a special staycation ritual like picnic brown bag breakfasts in a scenic park

Staycations present opportunities for rest, hobbies, quality time with loved ones and enjoying simple pleasures that rejuvenate both body and mind in powerful ways.

Reason 3: Support Local Businesses and The Rise of the Staycation

An added perk of staycations is keeping more of your vacation budget within beloved local communities instead of having it pad the pockets of mega hotel chains, airlines and resorts. Exploring hidden neighborhood gems often overlooked builds a deeper connection with immediate surroundings. It promotes sustainability of beloved small businesses that give our towns character too.

From the cozy mom-and-pop diner serving family recipes to the vintage bookshop run by the kindly older couple, these establishments represent the soul of our communities. Spending dollars at these local haunts ensures their continued survival and prosperity. It also earns you perks like getting your favorite table, insider recommendations and VIP treatment no flashy resort can match.

Making an effort to support women-owned, BIPOC-owned marginalized community groups also fosters goodwill and social change through staycations.

Some ways to champion nearby locales with your next staycation include:

Using travel apps like Trekba to discover underrated attractions
Asking the chamber of commerce for special neighborhood tours
Checking event listings for craft fairs, food festivals and pop ups
Splurging on that coveted expensive meal at the hottest new bistro
Encouraging kids’ lemonade stand entrepreneurship
Putting together gift baskets for loved ones filled with local goods

Booking big chain hotels and dining at multinational restaurant establishments while on vacation is easy. But taking the road less traveled highlighting homegrown businesses and flavors often transforms perspective while bringing communities together.

Reason 4: Environmental Benefits

Sometimes the greenest vacation destination is already in your own backyard. Choosing a staycation over far-flung trips directly benefits the environment in measurable ways. According to Sustainable Travel International, a transatlantic flight emits over 1 ton of CO2 per economy class passenger. Transport overall accounts for 75% of vacation carbon emissions.

Comparatively, opting for staycations near home powered by public transport, walking, biking and low-impact activities dramatically decreases greenhouse gas output. Reducing air travel remains one of the most impactful ways for individuals to combat climate change.

Some eco-friendly transportation and accommodation ideas for responsible staycations include:

Using pedal power via bike rentals or ownership for sightseeing
Taking advantage of local public transport day passes
Offsetting flight emissions from last trip by staycationing now
Supporting LEED-certified green hotels over chains
Renting solar-powered camper vans for national park trips
Staying with friends/family and borrowing their guest room

The rise of staycations also decreases pollution and environmental damage from overtourism issues seen at popular destinations like Venice, Machu Picchu and Dubrovnik. Exploring alternative local options alleviates pressure on beloved sites globally.

Tips for Planning an Epic The Rise of the Staycation Staycation

Convinced of the merits of a staycation yet not sure where to begin planning your momentous local holiday? These tips help craft an unforgettable experience showcasing your region:

Act Like a Tourist in Your Town

Approach your staycation with the same sense of adventure and wonder you would on any vacation. Embrace tourist mode fully by acting like this is your first visit. Let kids lead the way in attractions or explorations they find exciting.

Mix Up Accommodation

For a change of scenery, spend certain nights camping or glamping at area campgrounds, splurge on a suite at a boutique hotel downtown, or trade houses with a friend in a new neighborhood.

Eat Out for Every Meal

From breakfast bagels to fancy dinner, eat at favorite eateries or discover new ones. Support food trucks, pop-up restaurants and surprise sensory experiences like eating in the dark.

Choose a Theme

Spice things up by choosing daily staycation themes like arts & culture, tours & trails, spa & wellness, action & adventure, or foodie heaven. Build activities around it!

Check Event Calendars

Make iconic annual events like festivals, street fairs and exhibitions part of your itinerary or experience new niche happenings.

Alternate Planned & Unplanned Days

Balance days focused on sought-after attractions with wandering wherever impulse strikes to foster spontaneity.

Discover Geotourism

Try geotourism by seeking businesses highlighting local character through architecture, cuisine, culture, aesthetics and heritage.

Enjoy Exclusive Experiences

Use specialty tour companies or Viator to unlock ultra-luxe insider excursions showcasing hidden neighborhood secrets only locals know. Think exclusive after-hours gallery viewings, archaeological digs, jazz club journeys.

Conclusion on The Rise of the Staycation

As the staycation trend continues rising in the wake of pandemic shifts, embrace reimagining travel possibilities closer to home this year. The financial, wellness, community and sustainability benefits outlined here present a compelling case for choosing staycations over far-flunglavish getaways in 2023.

Have you had a memorable staycation? Share your favorite experience highlighting your region in the comments! Let’s inspire each other to support local communities while saving money and the planet.