Latest news with #summervacation
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Economy, Summer Plans, and The Polls
Around Memorial Day, pollsters often ask Americans about their summer vacation plans. Responses are a rough barometer of feelings about the economy's health and our own prospects. What have we learned from recent polls? Will most Americans take a summer vacation? Last week the University of Michigan released its latest Consumer Sentiment Index, reporting that sentiment was 'unchanged' from April, ending four consecutive months of 'plunging declines.' Michigan attributed the change to the pause at the time of the survey in Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariff pronouncements. Gallup reported that overall assessments of the economy were 'unchanged' from early 2025 readings. In the May Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris poll, 51% of registered voters described the economy as strong for the first time since July 2021, while almost as many, 49%, described it as weak. Most people in another question said their personal financial situation was weak (39%), but that represented an improvement from Harvard/Harris polls during the winter. Thirty-four percent said their situation was improving and 27% thought it was staying the same. In late May, CBS News/YouGov reported that Americans' views about the economy were a bit 'brighter' than they were this winter, but still more negative (54%) than positive (39%). In their February and March polls, a third were positive. CBS added more detail to the overall assessments. Fifty-eight percent of respondents said the prices they were paying for goods and services have gone up in the past few weeks, 30% believed it had stayed the same, and 11% reported it had gone down. Only 24% thought their income was keeping up with inflation. Gas prices are among the most sensitive political indicators, and a bare plurality in the poll said they are staying the same in their area (37%), while 30% thought they were going up, and 11% down. Of those planning to take a summer vacation, 89% said they would be doing so by road/car, Americans' most familiar mode of transportation. In the CBS poll, 43% said they planned to take a summer vacation this year, up from 39% in 2024. A substantial majority say they will not take a vacation (57%), with plans to stay at home. Using a different approach, a new Ipsos poll found that 58% said they plan to go on an overnight trip of more than 100 miles this summer, 47% travel by plane domestically, and 27% travel by plane internationally. Sixty-one percent said they would take a vacation to unplug and get away from it all, down from 69% in 2024. And where would Americans like to go? In 2016, the Roper Center at Cornell looked at public interest in traveling to our national parks and reported that in 1955, 15% told Gallup they would visit a national park. When asked in the same poll what national parks they had ever visited, 15% said the Great Smoky Mountains followed by 11% the Grand Canyon and 10% Yosemite. With the availability and ease of car travel and the growing importance of recreation and conservation in our lives, Roper reported that '[b]y 2001, a Los Angeles Times [poll] found that 72% had made a visit' to a national park. In 2024, a record 332 million people visited a national park. Last summer, when the Pew Research Center asked about the public's views of 16 different federal government agencies, the National Park Service had the highest favorable rating (76%). Republicans and Democrats gave similar responses. Only 7% rated the agency unfavorably. There is some tentative evidence that Donald Trump's approval rating is inching up, and the perception that the economy is no longer declining (or at least leveling off) may be the reason. Less disruption from tariffs could be contributing. When asked by Harvard/Harris about Trump's biggest failure or mistake thus far in his second term, the top response at 26% was 'tariffs that disrupted the economy.' Even with the tariff chaos and uncertainty of the past few months, people still view Republicans as better stewards of the economy than Democrats. In a new CNN poll, more people said the Republican Party's views on the economy (38%) were closer to their own than the Democratic Party's views (31%). This was also the case in three earlier polls since the spring of 2022. Taking a vacation rests on assessments of the economic situation among other things, and uncertainty appears to be dampening summer holiday plans in 2025. If our national parks are short-staffed, the public is likely to notice.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Prana Maya Island Resort Marks Its Inaugural Summer With Savings Of 20% On Oceanfront Rooms And Villas*
Newest Luxury Resort in Belize Announces Summer Vacation by the Sea for Stays of Three Nights or More by September 7, 2025 'Our boutique island resort, with its panoramic views of sea and sky, is a spectacular setting for recreation and relaxation for couples and families with children to create memorable experiences.'— Keith A. Izydore, Managing Partner, Prana Maya Island Resort ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, June 3, 2025 / / -- Vacationers seeking a luxury island getaway at tempting seasonal savings may find Prana Maya Island Resort to be an ideal choice, announced Keith A. Izydore, Managing Partner of the new resort located on the pristine shores of secluded Placencia Caye just off the coast of southeastern Belize. The resort is offering 20% savings on accommodations, daily complimentary breakfast, and daily complimentary lunch and dinner for children under 11 years of age for stays of three nights or more by September 7, 2025. *See Summer Vacation by the Sea for details. 'Our boutique island resort, with its panoramic views of sea and sky, is a spectacular setting for recreation and relaxation and offers couples and families with children many opportunities to create memorable summer experiences,' said Mr. Izydore. 'We opened in January of this year, and are looking forward to welcoming guests to our first summer season.' Guests may enjoy the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea and Placencia Lagoon with complimentary use of the resort's kayaks, paddleboards, water bikes, fishing and snorkeling equipment. Back on land, unwinding at the resort's seaside infinity-edge pool or working out at the fitness center are options. Pickleball under a palapa-shaded court, lawn games, beverages and light fare at the open kitchen and full bar will be available at The Island Club, opening mid-summer. The Spa features six spacious treatment rooms including a sound therapy room and oceanfront couples massage room, plus an open-air relaxation lounge and yoga space, all spanning the top floor of The Inn for scenic water views and coastal breezes. 'With savings on all oceanfront accommodations, including multi-bedroom Villas, Summer Vacation by the Sea is truly a special offer,' said Mr. Izydore. 'We have a limited number of accommodations and fill quickly, so we encourage early reservations.' The Inn is home to 10 spacious guest rooms of about 800 sq. ft. with 10-ft. tray ceilings and furnished balconies. Seven two-story 3- and 4-bedroom villas ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 sq. ft. have plunge pools, chef-inspired kitchens and expansive terraces with outdoor kitchens. Refined décor, soothing color palettes and accents of indigenous wood carved by Belizean artisans create a serene and welcoming ambiance, and all accommodations are air-conditioned. The Grill features Belizean-influenced cuisine prepared with sustainably sourced, local ingredients from farm and sea sprinkled throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Guests will find favorite cocktails as well as new creations made with fresh ingredients at The Cocktail and Ice Bar. For a change of pace, the resort's piloted boats are available throughout the day for complimentary five minute transportation to Placencia Village, brimming with colorful boutiques, locally owned cafes and cantinas, and the longest beach in Belize, Placencia Beach. For immersive experiences farther asea and ashore, the concierge team can arrange private yachting, diving and fishing charter services; explorations to iconic Mayan ruins; horseback riding on Placencia Beach; and adventures in the Belize rainforest. Fishing boats designed for the resort, high quality equipment and expert guides organized by exclusive vendor, High Adventure Company, offer world-class saltwater flats fishing excursions—and a chance for a Grand Slam—bonefish, permit and tarpon—caught in the same day. About Prana Maya Island Resort Located on Placencia Caye, a secluded island less than five minutes by boat from the Placencia peninsula in southeastern Belize, Prana Maya is an intimate retreat and a portal to the iconic adventures of Belize. Complementing the resort's refined décor, works by Belizean artisans, hand-carved doors of indigenous wood, and artistic elements whisper an homage to Mayan culture. Sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea are offered from the resort's Inn and Villas. The Grill features Belizean-influenced cuisine, sustainably sourced from land and sea; The Cocktail and Ice Bar presents inventive cocktails. The Spa at Prana Maya is home to therapies for mind, body and spirit, and yoga. Afternoon beverages and light fare will be available at The Island Club by mid-summer. Belize is Central America's only English-language-speaking country, accepts U.S. currency and has direct flights arriving daily from major U.S. airports. For information, please visit or call 888-487-2011. Sandra Ryder Prana Maya Island Resort [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-beach-palm-trees-LUXESUMRLP0525-recirc-794bc33d29f745279f83004f75f10f84-a185278b465f421c88052d3c19d16413.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Luxury Summer Vacation Ideas
Warm temperatures, beautiful weather, and ample free time—there's a reason why summer is one of the most popular seasons to travel. And while there's nothing wrong with a quick, easy weekend getaway to a destination near you, sometimes, summer calls for a luxurious, all-in, no-holds-barred vacation experience. Below, we've curated eight stories to inspire your next luxury summer vacation. Whether you're searching for an unforgettable train ride through the American West with red-rock views, or you want to fly a semi-private jet to an upscale Cabo resort where you can watch whales from a Champagne bar, we've got you covered.
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
It's Summer Vacation Time. Tourists Are Saying No to America.
The summer vacation season has officially begun. Missing this year: the Canadians, Europeans and other foreign travelers who have flocked to America's tourist hot spots in recent years. 'There used to be thousands of people from Canada. They would give me Canadian dollars and I would change it at the bank,' said Omar Tallat, 35 years old, who runs a corn dog stand near Times Square. 'This year, business is very bad.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AAA offers tips for a budget-friendly summer getaway
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – You may be planning a trip this summer and hoping to make it budget-friendly. AAA Northeast is sharing some money-saving steps for those interested. They say those planning a road trip should fill up their gas tank away from the highway. Stations close to it are more expensive than those further away. They also recommend booking flights during the week. The best price offered is usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And people wanting to get away should look into cruises. Adding rooms, dining, and entertainment is usually included. Naefia Pabi of Springfield told 22News,'This summer we are planning on going to Cancun! My daughter is the one who found the deal for us. The deal that she found is all inclusive, so that's perfect.' According to experts, the top places to visit in the country this summer include Las Vegas, New York City, and Myrtle Beach. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
