Winnebago Industries partnered with SMS research to conduct a nine-question, five-minute online Consumer Spotlight survey of the U.S. general population to gauge outdoor activity sentiment. Over 1,000 surveys were returned.
The results showed 81% of Americans planned to enjoy an outdoor activity during their 2022 summer break. Male Gen Z and millennials with children were most likely to expect to enjoy outdoor activities on summer vacation.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they planned to use camping accommodations for their vacation vs. 49% who said they would stay in a hotel and 39% who said they would stay with friends and family. Millennials and Gen Xers favored camping more than boomers.
Just under half of those surveyed said they plan to drive less than 200 miles to reach their summer vacation spot. Thirteen percent plan to put miles beneath their wheels and drive more than 500 miles.
Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they would increase outdoor activities in 2022. The top three reasons for wanting an increase included spending time with family and friends, reducing stress and getting more exercise.
Gen Z respondents were apt to want more time under the sky for a mood boost.
Almost three out of four respondents agreed being outdoors was beneficial for their health.
The number of respondents expecting to decrease their outdoor activity level increased from 2021 (12%) to 2022 (18%). The respondents who said they would be decreasing their outdoor activities indicated they would do so because they wanted to reduce spending or were too busy with work.
Those who said they did not enjoy outdoor activities responded they would decrease participation in outdoor activities because they were too busy with other interests or that outdoor activities had become overcrowded.
