For years, traveling with the seasons meant traveling off-season. By doing so, travelers opted for shorter lines at popular sites or cheaper airline tickets. Now some folks take vacation planning further. About two-thirds of U.S. adults dabble in a trend called “season chasing.”
Season chasing involves purposely traveling to experience a specific season at its height in a specific place. And it’s no wonder! God created a world full of marvel-inducing locales—Grand Canyon! Victoria Falls! Mount Everest!—that reflect His splendor.
Talker Research recently surveyed 2,000 people for Zipcar. Officials at the car-share company wanted to know about Americans’ travel desires.
Results of that survey show that nearly a quarter of American tourists have already practiced season chasing. Many more are making plans to season chase. They do so mainly to make the most of the best weather, activities, and landmarks in an area—regardless of the crowds.
The survey asked about how people want to get where they’re going—personal vehicle? rental car? rideshare? Talker’s survey also inquired about Americans’ travel wish lists beyond the how and where of travel. The results show that for many tourists, when matters too.
For example, U.S. vacationers want to nosh hot dogs at Coney Island in the fall or slip-slide the outdoor waterparks of Wisconsin Dells in summer.
Among season chasers, survey says: Autumn is king. Over half of survey takers name fall as their preferred vacation time. They list Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, as the No. 1 must-see seasonal destination.
After that, tourists broke the pattern and chose winter beaches in Florida—to escape that season’s most characteristic traits rather than embrace them. Next in appeal were changing fall leaves in New England, blossoming cherry trees in D.C., and spring flowers and festivals in New Orleans, Louisiana. Beaches still hold appeal in summer, with two-thirds of Americans taking summer trips to the shores.
“A majority of Americans nationwide are interested in chasing all seasons,” notes Angelo Adams, head of Zipcar.
Lest you think timing is everything, survey takers also mentioned weather, sites, and views as top elements for season chasing success.
What topped the list of things that travelers thought would improve their lives? Thirty-four percent of survey respondents said traveling more often with friends and family. But if your clan seems immune to wanderlust, don’t worry. One fourth said they’d prefer to take a spur-of-the-moment trip . . . solo!
Why? All creation declares God’s splendor. As you are able, get out there and see for yourself, and worship your Creator with awe and wonder!
