AARP releases new travel survey highlighting how Baby Boomers, GenXers and Millennials travel to and enjoy the country's national treasures.
WASHINGTON – Travel is the #1 aspiration of individuals 50-plus, and America’s national parks are a popular destination with 75% of Baby Boomers having visited one in their lifetime, according to a recent AARP Travel survey. The survey showed that along with Boomers, Generation-Xers and Millennials also share a love for parks despite the generations’ differing reasons for visiting these national treasures.
“AARP Travel celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by keeping travelers in-the-know on new ways to explore America’s timeless parks,” said Stephanie Miles, VP, Products and Platforms, AARP.
At aarp.org/parks, anyone can enjoy exclusive articles, travel tips and more to plan their ideal getaway or vacation, said Miles. “More than half of the 300+ million anticipated national park visits this year will be by people age 50-plus. AARP provides useful information and valuable travel discounts to our members helping them enjoy travel to the parks and more.”
Here are some of the survey highlights:
- A Love for National Parks Spans Generations: According to the survey, 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have visited a national park before, and nearly all have recommended those trips to others. 9-in-10 Baby Boomers say national parks are ideal vacations for those over age 50, and about 1-in-4 GenXers and Boomers have recently taken a trip to a park to create lasting memories with children and/or grandchildren.
- Most Popular Parks: The majestic Grand Canyon as well as the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument in the nation’s capital are at the top of the list for most popular parks. Others popular parks include Yellowstone, the Statue of Liberty and the Vietnam Memorial.
- Ditching the Airport Lines: A major perk in heading to a national park for vacation is avoiding lengthy airport lines and the other tedious tasks that come with flying. 82% of travelers instead pack up their cars for the average 2-3 day road trip to parks, and 19% of travelers would prefer a longer trip next time they go.
- Most Popular Park Activities: Sightseeing and hiking are the most popular park activities across generations. Other popular activities include scenic drives, visiting museums, enjoying picnics, and observing wildlife.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
