Images of college students, bathing suits, and beer cans dotting the beach usually typifies one's notion of Spring Break. True, that is a significant part of Spring Break, and it's what most students have in mind when booking a trip with a travel agent. However, Spring Break can also be lucrative for travel agents honing in on family and multi-generational travel.
Janice Bykofsky, a travel consultant for Rainbow Travel
Service in
"We look at Spring Break a bit differently," Bykofsky says. "It's not just the college kids going to drink; it's the families, friends and groups—and more and more destinations are beginning to cater to that."
Bykofsky lists
Cruising has also cornered a portion of the Spring Break market, especially the seven-night variety itineraries. Bykofsky booked eight such cruises this year for Spring Break, all families.
She also notes that while Spring Break usually falls sometime in March, clients begin formulating plans and making bookings as far back as August.
Trends for Students
For the most part, spring break business is steady at Funjet Vacations, says Tom Brussow, director of regional marketing. "We still have spring break space—hotel and air—available," he adds. "The prime travel dates and hotels may be limited because of inventory, but there are still deals to be had."
Meanwhile, at Blue Sky Tours, booking pace for Spring Break
travel to
"I still don't think Spring Break [travel] has been the
same ever since [the disappearance of American Natalee Holloway in
Schmier says, however, those who are going away for the popular party vacations aren't exactly going anywhere new. Although Schmier says he doesn't book a lot of Spring Break vacations, he says when he hears other travel industry professionals talk about it, the same destinations usually come up—Florida, specifically Daytona and Fort Lauderdale; the Caribbean, including Aruba and Jamaica; and Mexico, specifically Cozumel and Cancun. Schmier, says, however that Los Cabos is also becoming popular.
As for any impact from the tightening earlier this year of
passport requirements, Funjet's Brussow says the operator has not seen more
bookings to domestic destinations, specifically