I really enjoyed this article:
Adventure Living and TravelIn particular this quote: “The joy of buying a new car or home entertainment center will fade over time,†says Dan Austin, director of Austin-Lehman Adventures. “But the satisfaction and benefits of a great vacation experience delivers a lifetime of great memories and keeps you coming back for more.â€
I read about this recently. Because of the instability of the economy over the last five years or so, people want to focus more on experiences and memories, rather than material things.
Also what I appreciated about the article is that it suggests local "stay-cation" ideas like visiting your local musuems and participating in local tours. Great ideas!