There’s a subgenre of tourism. The tacky name, invented by marketers to create a buzz, or to create demand for some sort of niche travel that no one really considered a niche before.
There was the mancation. Then the procreation vacation. And now: the staycation.
“Staycations” are just “trips” which locals take to resorts in their own area, thereby avoiding travel, or even much of a change of scenery. “In-town vacation” was what this used to be called, no? But “staycation” just sucks as a name.
Sure, it’s friendlier on the environment to skip the carbon-guzzling travel side of the equation, and not everyone is game for a vacation that involves staying on a hotel’s compound. But few people live close enough to a real destination to make this worth their while.
Will this trend take off? Maybe, but I hope the name doesn’t.
Update: “Staycation” is already in the Urban Dictionary! Since 2006, no less! Crikey.
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May 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Good lord – what will they come up with next? I’m glad I passed on this one, which seems pretty silly to me.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:26 am
In Montreal we use the term “Balconville” meaning we’re staying on our balcony.
It is a reference to a 1979 play by David Fennario http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Fennario
May 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Never heard of “Staycation.” Have you heard of the term “paycation,” where the traveler picks up the travel commissions from the vendor normally destined for the travel agent or online booking engine?
May 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Here’s another new one: “humanitourism,” which a recent press release says combines “humanitarian work with adventure travel.” The website w/ more info is at http://www.theinsideandout.com.
Claire @ http://travel-babel.blogspot.com
May 19th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Ugh. Forget the stupid name. The concept is terrible enough! Ecofascism at its worst. In order to conserve fuel, we need not make ourselves miserable by foregoing the need to explore our world.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I picked up the word “breakation” from an article a year or two ago. I actually encourage this type of “staycation” travel, but not due to economics of not being to travel on a vacation.
Many people aren’t frequent enough guests and can’t get enough travel vacation time to pick up sufficient hotel nights for loyalty program elite status with its upgrades, amenities, and loyalty program perks like bonus points, dedicated customer service, and other extras.
Hotel nights in your local area allow a one or two night getaway (and if you are going for elite status, then you may want a different hotel each night) and the ability to earn credit towards loyalty program elite status throughout the year.
The basic strategy is earn elite status through hotel nights when the price factor is within your control. Take “staycations” when the hotel prices are low in your area.
Then, whenever, wherever you go for the “Vacation”, you have elite status and probably sufficient frequent guest hotel points to get room upgrades and/or free hotel nights.
Staycations, breakations, and vacations all can work well together.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Ah so… Very shrewd thinking.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Staycations are a horrible idea. People need true vacations to relax. Check out our thoughts:
http://www.offtoneverland.com/blog/staycation-no-way/
July 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
We are documenting our staycations here – please join us! http://wearestorytellers.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/welcome-to-our.html