Spring break still goin' strong

NEW YORK -- College students don't seem to be planning staycations for spring break. Bookings to beach destinations are strong, according to travel companies, and volunteering vacations continue to gain steam. Here's how students will be spending their break:

Beaches: Jamaica and, in Mexico, Cancun and Acapulco are top destinations, according to Patrick Evans of STA Travel. About 30,000 revelers are expected to visit Cancun this year, about the same number as last year.
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In the United States, Panama City Beach, Fla., remains a top destination for the college crowd, according to Jason Chute, director of operations for StudentCity.com. Once again the beach hosts mtvU's Spring Break party March 8-21.

Adventure: Demand for trips to Asia and Australia is up, according to Atle Skalleberg of StudentUniverse.com. France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. remain popular, he said.

"The exchange rate is still not great for Americans, but it is a lot better, and that seems to be enough," he said.

Alternatives: Spring break volunteering is growing exponentially.

"We're farther away from Katrina, but President Obama was just elected," said Steven Roy Goodman, educational consultant. "There has been a real resurgence of a spirit of service."

And students can solicit donations to cover the cost of alternative spring breaks, said Goodman.

Jimmy Camacho, 26, a senior at San Diego State, will be working in Honduras to bring clean water access to a village.

About 40 students are going, and many of them are interested in the Peace Corps.

"I think this program was attractive in that it's only a week and not a two-year commitment," Camacho said. "It gives you work experience while allowing you to experience a new country and make a lot of new friends."

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