Family spring break crowd stays home

GRISWOLDS STAYING HOME THIS YEAR: The credit crunch and economic uncertainties are once again hitting Americans where it hurts: Their spring breaks.

A recent survey found that nearly half of U.S. families with children said they will scale back spring break plans and 63 percent of those said they'll just stay home.

Another 19 percent were not sure whether they will take a vacation this year, according to the telephone survey of nearly 600 adults. The poll was commissioned by travel insurance company Access America and executed by international polling firm Ipsos.

Last-minute road trips and regional air travel will likely replace more expensive vacations to Europe or a Caribbean island, said Mark Cipolletti, vice president for Access America.

Families in lower income brackets are more likely to skip their trips — nearly 60 percent of respondents with household incomes between $25,000 and $50,000 will have a more modest holiday.