National Press Release

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Although facing tough economic times, 60 percent of leisure travelers will take the same number of car trips (one to four) as they did last year and 56 percent also said they would fly as often (one to four times), according to a new customer survey conducted by FastPark, an off-site airport parking company operating 18 facilities in 12 markets.

"High gas prices and a weak economy are not stopping many of our customers from taking leisure trips this year," said Melanie Chavez, spokesperson for FastPark. "Taking a vacation is seemingly as important as ever to our customers; however, they are looking for ways to stretch their dollar and save where they can."

Reducing Expenditures

Nearly 55 percent of leisure travel customers responded that the economy would not affect their summer travel plans. However, of the remaining respondents who said certain economic aspects would affect their plans, 69 percent said gas prices were the main reason followed by an uncertain economic outlook (20 percent), other reasons (7 percent) and the housing crisis (4 percent).

Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they will be taking measures to reduce travel expenditures for their leisure trips. Of those, 45 percent said they will search for online deals, 18 percent will plan a trip closer to home, another 18 percent said they will cut costs other ways, 13 percent said they will shorten the length of their trip and 6 percent will opt for group travel or a vacation package.

Tax rebate not being used

When asked if the government tax rebate would affect their summer travel plans, 87 percent said no. However, those who responded yes said their tax rebate check would allow them to take a vacation (57 percent), upgrade their vacation (27 percent) or other (16 percent).

Purpose of trip

Sixty-four percent of FastPark customers responded that the main purpose of their trip was for fun and 52 percent said they would use their vacation to spend time with family or friends.

FastPark's Memphis facility located at the Memphis International Airport provides a shuttle service that, unlike other parking facilities, conveniently picks up patrons directly outside their car door. The facility provides 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 for $6.29 per day (excluding tax) at the Memphis facility.

Through its Web site, airportfastpark.com, FastPark asked its leisure travel customers a series of questions about their upcoming travel plans. Most of FastPark's customers have already made the decision to travel once on its Web site. However, the survey was designed to find out if leisure travel was decreasing among seasoned travelers.

A recent AAA survey reported a slight decrease in Memorial holiday travel. Its survey reported record fuel prices and tough economic times altered travel plans for some Americans. Despite the decrease, AAA projected it would still see a significant number of people traveling with more than 12 percent of the U.S. population celebrating Memorial Day weekend away from home.

FastPark, headquartered in Cincinnati, is an off-site airport parking company operating 18 facilities in 12 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; Cleveland (two facilities); Memphis, Tenn.; and Miami. A Park Place facility is located in Cleveland. Fast Park & Relax facilities are located in Cincinnati; Houston (three facilities - two under different name); Milwaukee; Orlando; 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.

SOURCE FastPark