Sandals Sets Fly Free Offer to Fight Staycation Trend

Citing rising airline costs and talk of a downturn in the economy as the catalysts that have spurred "staycations" -- the tendency for Americans to stay home for their holidays -- Sandals Resorts, beginning July 18, is offering a limited-time "Fly Free Promotion" that gives clients who book a minimum three-night stay by Aug. 31 an air credit of up to $550 per person. According to Kevin Froemming, president of Unique Vacations Inc., worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts, the high cost of air travel has kept many travelers home and in turn has hurt travel agents. "A staycation is not a vacation. Our goal is to help agents help their clients get what they really want: time away to relax and recharge," Froemming said. "Our ‘Fly Free' promotion does that by offering real value at a time when every penny counts."