Go City released the findings from its latest consumer survey, outlining the hallmarks of a “perfect” vacation and what some U.S. consumers will do to guarantee that experience.

Conducted by Talker Research, the survey polled 2,000 U.S. residents who have traveled within the past year and found that the perfect vacation lasts 11 days, is at least three hours from home and prioritizes food (52 percent), relaxation (47 percent), good weather (34 percent), accommodations (38 percent), and outdoor attractions and landmarks (31 percent, with 88 percent of respondents noting that they would ” sacrifice certain comforts to guarantee a better vacation experience.”

Most respondents travel to the beach for the perfect vacation, with the simple things that matter the most.

Hallmarks of the “Perfect” Vacation
Six in ten respondents believe that the perfect vacation exists within the U.S., with 86 percent seeking six or more days to unwind. Top destinations include the beach (63 percent), the outdoors (53 percent), a major city (43 percent), a historic local (42 percent), or an amusement park (30 percent). Two in five (41 percent) respondents think a vacation is perfect if they can check off bucket list items, including seeing iconic landmarks and visiting local, must-see attractions.

For a vacation to qualify as “perfect,” the majority of surveyed respondents said it must include time to:

  • Relax and recuperate (67 percent)
  • Create meaningful moments (63 percent)
  • Enjoy good company (62 percent)
  • Try new experiences (61 percent)

“The idea of the ‘perfect’ vacation can feel overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t need to travel halfway around the world to find this,” said Judy Gauthier, chief commercial officer at Go City. “Our research shows it’s often the simple things that matter most—spending time with loved ones, feeling relaxed and making memories—even if you have to make a few concessions along the way.”

Vacation Spoilers
Ninety-two percent of surveyed respondents said that if one aspect of their vacation was not up to par, it would ruin the entire trip. Top vacation spoilers include:

  • Unexpected costs such as hidden fees (45 percent)
  • Travel delays such as flight delays, lost luggage, etc. (44 percent)
  • Bad weather (41 percent)
  • Hotels that are far from local attractions (40 percent)
  • Poorly regulated temperature in a hotel room or rental unit (35 percent)
  • Disappointing food (34 percent)
  • An uncomfortable bed (31 percent)

Sacrifices for the “Perfect” Vacation
Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they would be willing to sacrifice certain comforts to guarantee a better vacation experience. Top travel compromises include:

  • A more expensive hotel or rental unit (33 percent)
  • Splurge spends for three months before traveling (32 percent)
  • Extra leg room on the flight (28 percent)
  • Any access beyond economy on a full flight (21 percent)
  • Having a carry-on bag (19 percent)

In exchange for these comforts, travelers want the following in return:

  • More time to relax and unwind on vacation (29 percent)
  • More money to spend on food and drinks (28 percent)
  • An upgraded hotel room with a nice view and free breakfast (27 percent)
  • The ability to afford more premium vacation experiences, including skip the line, VIP access, private tours, etc. (23 percent)

“Every vacation deserves to be ‘perfect,'” continued Gauthier. “What really makes the difference is knowing how to travel smarter to make your trip as stress-free as possible. A well-planned trip that balances activities and downtime with little indulgences like skip-the-line passes, flexible reservations and an upgraded view can turn a good trip into a great one.”

Go City is a sightseeing and attraction pass brand, delivered digitally, with over 1,500 attractions in 25-plus destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

Images courtesy Go City