This summer, a staycation?

It had to be dreamed up by a big advertising agency’s director of trend spotting, but Ann Mack may be on to something with her idea of a summer “staycation” to replace a long-distance vacation.

The high cost of gasoline, the economic downturn and the weakness of the dollar make long-distance road travel in the United States or a trip to Europe problematic for many people. As you’d expect from an upbeat advertising executive, she puts a bright face on her concept. “People are rediscovering the backyard ... and putting more investment in their homes, so they can think of it as their oasis rather than a place (just) to live,” she says.

Statistics back up the enthusiasm for staying home this summer. The Travel Industry Association reports that its Travel Price Index in February was up 7.6 percent over February 2007. Over the past year, according to the TIA, gasoline prices have risen 32.7 percent, air fares 7.6 percent and lodging costs 3.4 percent.

Think of a “staycation” as recaptured time. Two-career families don’t have the hassle of trying to coordinate schedules or work a trip around the kids’ camp or other summer activity programs. No time is spent poring over travel brochures or airline schedules or booking reservations.

All this can be replaced by hikes in the woods or along the ocean, the pleasures of working in the garden,
maybe painting a room — or the entire house, reading the books stacked up on the coffee table, a Madaket trip on the bay, or time at the county fair in August. The list goes on. And, at the end of each day, if you are so inclined, a tall, cool drink on the patio or the deck (if it’s not overcast).

Happy staycation!