For the ninth year, Expedia.com conducted its annual Vacation Deprivation survey. which revealed that Americans not only get less vacation time than any other country, but surprisingly leave more of it on the table. Starting in 2005, Expedia expanded the survey globally to compare and contrast vacationing habits internationally. In the 2009 Vacation Deprivation™ survey, vacation habits are analyzed among employed workers in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. According to Expedia.com the problem has worsened over the last year; one third of employed U.S. adults (34%) usually do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year – representing an increase from 31 percent reported in 2008. Reasons Americans stated they did not use all their vacation time vary from getting money back for unused vacation days (11%) to spouses being unable to get away from their job (10%).
Does work interfere with vacations? You bet, but more so in the U.S. than anywhere else. According to Expedia.com, just as in 2008, a sizable minority – 24 percent – of employed adults check work email or voicemail while vacationing. About one in five employed adults also reported that they’ve cancelled or postponed vacation plans because of work (19%).
Yet, Expedia's survey confirms what other studies have shown for years - vacations improve your overall health and productivity. According to Expedia's Vacation Deprviation survey, roughly one-third of employed U.S. adults (34%) reported feeling better about their job and feeling more productive upon returning from vacation. Employed U.S. adults most commonly anticipate using the majority of their vacation time for 2009 by taking a power week (39%) (taking at least one full week of vacation and using the remaining time here and there); a much smaller number (10%) plan to take a full 2 week vacation in 2009.
So what's the take away? Don't be one of those leaving vacation time on the table this year. Plan to do something for yourself, to extend your productivity and your health. While travel trends expert, Peter Yesawich's surveys show that 64% of travelers will take a summer vacation, more than eight in ten say they're also looking for packaged offers. Everyone's trying to save on travel this year, so BedandBreakfast.com members have posted more than 150 "Tanks for Traveling" offers. Simply click on the gas tank on BedandBreakfast.com to find everything from eco-friendly rewards for traveling by public transportation to complimentary stays, extra days, dinners and spa treatments.
Don't leave vacation time unused. Let this be there year you pamper yourself with a four-day B&B getaway, we like to call a four-day stay the "new" vacation week. You'll feel so refreshed when you return to work, it's like a week away!