Select Registry survey results come from gathered guest data after their stay at one of their member properties via survey (since September of 2019). Select Registry has had over 3,700 responses (and counting!). This week Select Registry reported on their survey responses to two questions: 1) For what reasons do you travel? and 2) What types of destinations in the U.S. do you travel to for leisure? They revealed the top 5 responses to each question, based on data collected through their survey.
Survey Results: For What Reasons Do You Travel?
Top 5 Reasons Select Registry Guests Travel
Reason # 1: Time Alone with Partner (73.1%)
Traveling alone with your significant other is a great way to spend quality time together. Author and radio talk show host, Dr. Gary Chapman, identified “quality time” as one of the five love languages expressed in healthy, loving relationships. The other four love languages are words of affirmation (e.g., a thoughtful compliment), physical touch (e.g., a back rub), acts of service (e.g., raking the leaves) and receiving gifts (e.g., a blank journal to write in).
Reason # 2: Escape from Routine (71.5%)
Leaving your usual daily routine is a great way to enjoy life more. Travel is a great way to get to know more about other people including their unique cultures, customs, & cuisines. It may involve touring a historic attraction like The Biltmore–there are many bed and breakfasts in the Asheville, North Carolina area.
Moreover, by traveling, you can experience the local geography of somewhere new (such as going mountain climbing or surfing). Furthermore, you can experience different climates (for example, a native of Florida who sees snow for the first time).
Reason # 3: Special Occasion (59.4%)
People often travel when they celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. You may want to keep track of special dates celebrated by your guests, so you can send them a postcard reminder 6 to 8 weeks ahead of that time, to encourage your guests to visit your inn to celebrate their special occasion again.
Reason # 4: Socialize with Friends (54.8%)
Socializing with friends is the fourth most common reason why guests reported they stayed at Select Registry inns. We’d like to think that pets are included as our furry friends and loving companions. Some bed and breakfasts do allow owners to bring their pets with them. According to the article “7 Science-Backed Reasons Why Friendship are Important” by Vanessa Van Edwards:
1) Quality friends make you physically healthier
2) Friendships make you happier
3) A strong network of friends is linked to a longer life
4) Socialability is connected to a reduced risk of getting sick
5) Friendships are correlated with financial success
6) Good friends improve your mental health
7) Friendships make you feel safe
Reason # 5: Holiday Getaway (23.4%)
Going away on a holiday getaway with close family and/or friends is a great way to celebrate any of the holidays. Valentine’s Day, in particular, is a popular holiday to get away with your special someone. According to USA Today, the busiest holiday travel occurs during The Fourth of July, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
Findings: Guest Reasons for Travel
Thus, Select Registry’s guest survey found that the majority of survey respondents travel for time alone with partners and an escape from the routine. Select Registry properties are an elite group of inspected hospitality accommodations located throughout the United States.
Survey Results: What Types of U.S. Destinations Do You Travel For Leisure?
Select Registry survey results come from gathered guest data after their stay at one of their member properties via survey (since September of 2019). Select Registry has had over 3,700 responses (and counting!). This week Select Registry reported on their survey responses to two questions: 1) For what reasons do you travel? and 2) What types of destinations in the U.S. do you travel to for leisure? They revealed the top 5 responses to each question, based on data collected through their survey.
Findings: Guest Reasons for Travel
Thus, Select Registry’s guest survey found that the majority of survey respondents travel for time alone with partners and an escape from the routine. Select Registry properties are an elite group of inspected hospitality accommodations located throughout the United States.
Survey Results: What Types of U.S. Destinations Do You Travel For Leisure?
Top 5 Types of U.S. Leisure Destinations for Select Registry Guests
#1 U.S. Leisure Destination Type: Mountains (71.9%)
The most common type of leisure destination, according to Select Registry guests who responded to their survey, was the mountains. According to Drift Travel’s article, these are “7 Compelling Reasons to Plan a Trip to the Mountains This Year“:
1) Escape technology
2) Enjoy the outdoors
3) Get some exercise
4) Breathe in some clean air
5) Get away from the city
6) Connect with your family
7) Visit landmarks
#2 U.S. Leisure Destination Type: Beaches (69.9%)
Beaches are another popular U.S. leisure destination type. Great Value Vacations wrote an article called, “Why You Need to Take a Beach Vacation.
1) Being in nature reduces stress
2) Plenty of access to exercise
3) Social distancing made easy
4) Awaken your inner explorer
5) Soak up that Vitamin D
6) The beach regulates your sleep
7) Sand–Mother Nature’s exfoliant
#3 U.S. Leisure Destination Type: Countryside/Rural Towns (46.6%)
The third most common U.S. leisure destination type, by Select Registry survey responders, is the countryside or rural towns. Increasingly, more people are looking for beautiful places to “unplug” from their devices.
Rural tourism is travel to natural places that are non-urbanized, often relying on agriculture and low populations, such as villages and B&B cottages, homestays, farms, and ranches or eco lodges. It is related to ethical and sustainable tourism, traveling off the beaten path, outdoor activities and sports, and spending time in nature. It has a great potential to make the travel more responsible (eco-tourism) and richer in experience.
#4 U.S. Leisure Destination Type: Attractions & Activities (53.1%)
Over half of the Select Registry guest survey responders included seeing attractions and activities as a reason for their stay. In Vacation Idea, some of the “25 Best Places to Visit in the Southern USA” include the following.
- Asheville, NC: thriving arts & music, craft beer, Blue Ridge Mountains hiking, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Athens, GA: Antebellum Trail, University of Georgia, dining & nightlife, home to the B-52s and REM bands
- Charleston, SC: antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, luxurious B&Bs, Fort Sumter, Battery Promenade
- Charlotte, NC: Nascar Hall of Fame, Charlotte Motor Speedway, US National Whitewater Center, artisanal cafes & bakeshops
- Orlando, FL: Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Savannah, GA: Southern hospitality, historic homes, horse-drawn carriages, fresh seafood, art, music
- Atlanta, GA: Civil Rights history, Coca-Cola museum, Zoo, College Football Hall of Fame, the cultural capital of Southern United States
- St. Augustine, FL: oldest city in the U.S., 17th century fortress of Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, Spanish colonial homes
#5 U.S. Leisure Destination Type: National & State Parks (46.6%)
Visiting national and state parks was another reason why people chose to stay at Select Registry properties. Southern Living featured, “The South’s Best State Parks” and they include:
- Grand Father Mountain State Park in Banner Elk, North Carolina
- Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
- Table Rock State Park in Pickens, South Carolina
- Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls, Georgia
Findings: Types of U.S. Destinations
Therefore, Select Registry found that the majority of their guest survey respondents travel to mountains and beaches. We encourage you to check out the Special Offers that Select Registry members offer, including guest packages.
Pictured on the left, this is Select Registry member The Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant, and Spa located in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. We highly recommend their friendly hospitality, gourmet food, and scenic mountain setting with luxurious accommodations.
Select Registry Membership
Visit the Select Registry Membership information on their website. They offer an outstanding array of benefits in an all inclusive package that will help you grow and differentiate your business.
- Active Network of the industry’s leading owners, innkeepers and hospitality professionals
- Digital marketing with inclusion in: Consumer emails, blogs, social media
- Free Digital Guest Book
- Gift Certificate Program
- Inclusion in a nationally distributed Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
- Industry leading quality-assurance program and best practices that consumers trust
- Marketing and Branding
- Mobile-responsive website referring direct commission-free reservations
- Touch-screen, digital, guest loyalty rewards program
Rob Sales of B&B Consulting, is an Allied Partner Select Registry Member. If you are interested in buying or selling a bed and breakfast property, contact Rob today for a complimentary phone consultation.