According to a recent online poll of over 3,000 Americans, one-third of respondents under the age of 34 are planning to take time off work and enjoy their spring break. However, for many older respondents, the responsibilities of work and family trump the urge to spend a week lounging on the beach. Less than 25 per cent of 34- to 54-year-olds report that they are planning to take time off for spring break celebrations.

When compared to Thanksgiving and Christmas, spring break is an equally popular time to enjoy a well-earned break for men and women. While many respondents of college-age and older report they are planning to take time off for spring break, a much smaller percentage is planning to travel. The rise in gas prices, a struggling economy, and shrunken college budgets are all reasons for limiting travel plans.

Of those surveyed, only around 10 per cent of respondents indicate they plan to head to the Florida coast for spring break. Fort Lauderdale, cleverly coined “Fort Liquordale” because of its beaches, bars and nightclubs, used to be spring break central for American college students. This was until the mid-1980s when the city actively discouraged college students from visiting Fort Lauderdale, following the arrival of an estimated 350,000 college students in 1985. That didn’t stop the party-goers, however; they simply relocated to Panama City, Florida which is currently preparing for 500,000 visitors for this year’s spring break.

Between Texas and Florida, the two historically most popular spring break destinations, students will spend approximately $1 billion dollars during their weeklong vacation, which is a little over $1,000 per student. While some of this amount is budgeted for travel and hotel costs, over half goes to the purchasing of alcohol. Even students who choose not to travel for spring break often find ways to party locally.

Spring break has always been, and will most likely continue to be, an excuse for college students to let loose, unwind, put away the books, and break out the booze. Research from opinion surveys and other data-gathering methods shows that alcohol consumption skyrockets over spring break. According to several recent polls, college students in the United States consume six alcoholic beverages per week, on average. However, during spring break, this amount increases to ten drinks per day, a massive 900 per cent increase.

Despite the liquor-filled tradition of spring break, most respondents indicate that they do not agree with changing the minimum drinking age. Overall, nearly two-thirds of respondents (65 per cent) indicate that the national minimum drinking age “should remain at 21.” Not surprisingly, one-third of the respondents between the ages of 16 and 34 indicate that the drinking age, “should be 18, as it is in some other countries.”

Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.