During the recent global software outage, there were significant disruptions for thousands of travelers both within the United States and internationally; with flights being delayed or canceled, leaving many passengers stranded at airports. In the following days, airlines struggled to reboot critical computer systems affected by the outage, further complicating the situation for stranded travelers.
Gunther Mazda, a Mazda dealer located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, surveyed 3,000 domestic travelers to see how their plans changed after the outage; as well as other related statistics. 84% of the respondents said the recent travel disruptions made them more likely to drive to their summer vacation destinations rather than fly. Hoosiers were on average found to be willing to drive up to 9 hours and 42 minutes to reach their vacation destinations.
Gunther Mazda also dug into travelers’ new plans, discovering if their route involved overnight stops, 58% are likely to stay in hotels. This was followed by motels at 14%, vacation rentals like Airbnb at 12%, and campsites and staying with friends both at 8% each.
When it came to staying alert on long drives, 38% of travelers said they would rely on caffeinated drinks, while 36% opted for the safer choice of taking frequent breaks. Additionally, 14% planned to take turns driving with their partner, 8% would listen to audiobooks or podcasts, and 4% would nap at rest stops.
As for their ideal road trip accommodations, 30% of respondents preferred cozy bed and breakfasts, while 26% favored rustic cabins and lodges. Another 20% said they would treat themselves to luxury hotels, and 6% said they would choose to camp or even sleep in their cars.
Lastly the survey asked travelers if they were to go on a themed road trip what the theme would be, and the respondents chose these following themes:
- 32% picked a historical journey visiting historical landmarks
- 22% chose a culinary tour to explore local foods and restaurants
- 40% would want to go on a nature expedition exploring national parks and scenic spots
- And 6% decided a pop culture pilgrimage of visiting locations from movies and TV shows was the best choice
To see the full study by Gunther Mazda visit, gunthermazda.com/avoiding-aviation/.
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