Half of Americans plan to escape to warm weather this winter, according to new research.
A poll of 2,000 Americans found that 35% typically travel to a warm vacation destination during the winter months as an attempt to escape the winter blues.
People are escaping the brutal cold in search of more tropical weather for a little mood boost. A whopping 88% think traveling to a warm destination during the winter boosts their mood.
The study conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Apple Vacations looked at the weather dilemmas and vacation habits of 2,000 Americans and discovered 93% consider the weather of travel destinations when planning their trips and vacations.
Over the course of the entire winter season, 72% tend to get sad — with those aged 36-48 more likely to feel down this time of year.
Which is why a staggering 91% feel like traveling somewhere warm during the cold winter months.
In fact, those surveyed admit to enduring A LOT just so they can have the opportunity to travel to a warm locale as the temperatures begin to dip below freezing.
Forty-eight percent would be willing to stand in line at the DMV just to escape the brutal cold and head somewhere warm while a further 44% would happily sit in eight solid hours of traffic if it meant they could get to a tropical, warm destination and away from the frigid weather.
But, that isn’t all that those studied would endure to guarantee a warm winter vacation. Thirty-nine percent would get a root canal for the chance at a warm getaway while another 38% would give up caffeine for a trip somewhere warm and tropical in the winter.
“Offering over 1,000 miles of coastline, luxurious lodging, incredible cuisine and action-packed excursions, Dominican Republic’s year-round perfect and ease of accessibility makes planning a winter escape to paradise look like a walk in the park,” said Lucien Echevarria, New York executive director for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.
Americans are turning to warm travel destinations because they are tired of what the brutal winter weather brings. Thirty-five percent of those studied say having their umbrella break during a heavy rainstorm and getting to work soaking wet are the worst things about winter.
Thirty-three percent dislike that winter brings dark mornings and another third similarly agree that never seeing daylight is a winter dislike.
From colds and flu (31%) and stepping into puddles (31%) to black ice (29%) and icy sidewalks (31%) there are a lot of drawbacks to being in a cold climate during the winter months.
Over a quarter (26%) of those studied reveal runny noses are something they hate when it comes to winter while a further 23% get annoyed by the wind chill factor in their area.
When planning these winter trips, Americans have a lot to consider during the planning process. In fact, the number one thing Americans are most concerned about when planning a vacation is the safety of the location.
A whopping 56% of those studied reveal they look for safety of their destination and location when planning their trip.
Other factors Americans consider when planning their getaway include: weather (56%), hotel/accommodation amenities (54%), length of travel (50%), and price of tickets/accommodations (45%).
Results also reveal 73% opt to take these excursions away from the brutal cold with their spouse or significant other while a further 61% bring their kids along for the adventure.
From Aruba and the Dominican Republic to Costa Rica and Belize, Americans have or plan to travel to a variety of warm-weather destinations this winter.
One in five have already traveled or plan to travel to the Dominican Republic to escape the bitter cold this winter.
“From the sunny shores of Punta Cana to the colorful charming streets of Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic’s hospitable people, lively culture and pristine landscapes help solidify our country as the premier Caribbean destination to recharge from the winter cold,” said Echevarria.
TOP 5 CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PLANNING A TRIP
- Safety of location 56%
- Weather 56%
- Hotel/accommodation amenities 54%
- Length of travel 50%
- Price of tickets/accommodations 45%
TOP 20 WORST THINGS ABOUT WINTER
- Getting to work soaking wet
- Having umbrella break during a heavy rainstorm
- Dark mornings
- Never seeing daylight
- Stepping into puddles
- Icy sidewalks
- Colds/flu
- Black ice
- Runny noses
- Wind chill factor
- Dry skin
- Heating bills
- Scraping off ice from the car
- Shoveling snow
- Defrosting the car
- Blizzards
- Chapped lips
- Cabin fever
- Getting snow in socks/shoes
- Taking pets out in the snow