Survey Finds Time-squeezed Families Taking Short Spring Breaks

FastPark customers say fun, relatives focus of trips

    AUSTIN, Texas, March 6 // -- According to a new survey conducted by Airport Fast Park (FastPark), an off-site airport parking company operating 14 facilities in 10 markets, almost 50 percent of family travelers are spending four days or less on spring break vacations.

    "Conducting surveys gives us invaluable customer information that we wouldn't otherwise have access to," said Melanie Chavez, spokesperson for FastPark. "Many of our families are spending less time on vacation so every second matters to them. We make sure their trip starts off right."

    Striving to be a family-friendly company, FastPark offers courtesy luggage assistance and added amenities that most passengers do not expect but have come to appreciate. During the busy spring break month of March, FastPark is providing every child with an activity kit to keep them occupied while on the shuttle, in the terminal and during their flight.

    2008 Spring Break Survey Results

    Through its Web site, airportfastpark.com, FastPark asked its customers a series of questions about their upcoming spring break travel plans.

    FastPark asked if the trip would be educational (learning about a different culture or country), fun (to a beach resort or other relaxation spot), philanthropic (donating time for a special cause) or to visit family or friends. Forty-nine percent responded the trip would be for fun; 42 percent said they would be visiting family and friends; 7 percent said the trip would be educational and 1 percent said the vacation would be philanthropic.

    Respondents with children were asked on which day of the week they typically leave for vacation and what items they bring to keep their children occupied. Most customers (75 percent) said they would be leaving either the Friday or Saturday prior to the start of their child's spring break. Travelers said they most frequently carry along books and electronic games to keep kids busy.

    FastPark also asked customers how many family members travel with them, how many pieces of luggage they typically bring, the ages of the children with whom they travel and how many trips they take per year.

    FastPark's Austin facility located at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport provides a shuttle service that, unlike other parking facilities, conveniently picks up patrons directly outside their car door. The facility provides covered parking, complimentary jump starts and flat-tire assistance, free bottled water and newspapers and free luggage assistance to get the whole family onto the shuttle as quickly as possible. Airportfastpark.com offers special Internet pricing, $6.07, at the Austin facility.

    For a complete list of survey questions and results please contact Amy Crowley at 513-721-5353 or acrowley@powersagency.com.

    FastPark, headquartered in Cincinnati, is an off-site airport parking company operating 14 facilities in 10 markets throughout the country. Business units of FastPark include Airport Fast Park, FastPark & Relax and Park Place. Airport Fast Park facilities are located in Albuquerque, N.M.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore (two facilities); Cincinnati (two facilities); Cleveland; Memphis, Tenn.; and Miami. A Park Place facility is located in Cleveland. Fast Park & Relax facilities are located in Houston; Raleigh, N.C., and Tucson, Ariz. The self-serve parking service is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with instant shuttle service transporting customers to their specific terminal.