Expedia released its 23rd annual vacation deprivation survey, revealing that lack of leisure time remains a pressing problem. After analyzing the work-life balance of individuals around the world for over 20 years, the study shows that more and more people continue to suffer from vacation deprivation, especially among younger age groups.
study this year It turns out that the younger generation is particularly prone to vacation deprivation. A staggering number of Gen Z (73%) and millennials (66%) report feeling deprived of vacation time, compared to 58% of Gen X and 43% of baby boomers. It was. Globally, 53% of respondents take at least her 6-12 months off.
Vacation deprivation has been a problem for several years, but this year’s survey suggests the problem is only getting worse among younger generations. When people do not make enough time for leisure, it can seriously affect their physical and mental health.
Vacation deprivation levels reach their highest in a decade
Common barriers to time off include dealing with inflation, workplace shortages, and busy schedules. The American gets the fewest days of paid vacation per year compared to the rest of the world, on average he gets 12 days, but only 11. That’s less than the world average for him over a week.
More than half of respondents in the US (58%) and globally (56%) workplace Or the industry is battling a labor shortage, making it difficult to take time off. 63% in the United States society They report being deprived of time off, up from last year (59%).
Gen Zer Bella Bucchiotti, owner xoxo Bella, shares her difficulty of not having enough leisure time. “I was so focused on building my business that I didn’t have time for a real vacation. As a result, I struggled to maintain my mental health. The culture of having to hustle , has been found to lead to considerable burnout.”
The countries with the fewest vacation days in 2022 were the United States, Mexico and Singapore. Across the globe, levels of vacation deprivation have exceeded rates seen during the pandemic and are now at their highest levels in the past decade.
millennial meltdown
Leisure time is necessary for physical and mental health, but many people struggle to book breaks due to financial constraints or work obligations. It revealed that 62% of working adults feel deprived of time off, compared to 58%.
Alex Caspero, MA, RD, Nutritionist delicious knowledgeis a millennial who prioritizes goals over leisure time and has been unable to find work-life balance. “When I was working full-time and starting my hustle (now my full-time job), I thought I didn’t have time to take time off. Time was my most precious commodity and taking time off would have taken me further away from my goals.”
Ashley Fetino’s days off are very limited, and she couldn’t go anywhere without having only a few days off each month. “As a millennial, I used to think that climbing the corporate ladder would help me achieve my dreams. I had a lot of responsibilities and it was hard to take a vacation.My vacation thoughts at the time were either at home on the couch with my dog or hiking the local trails. was to unplug.
“I went nowhere. Life was miserable,” continues Fetchino. She eventually got burned out and quit her job and completely changed her lifestyle.Shortly thereafter she launched happiness functionnow a successful travel blog, believes that the perfect equation for happiness includes the outdoors, travel, and a sense of wonder.
Generation X burning candles on both ends
As a Generation Xer myself, I constantly struggle with the demands of raising young children alongside those in my profession. With endless work deadlines, preparing kids’ lunches, after-school practices, and family activities, taking a vacation can feel like a foreign concept.
Last year’s vacation with my family became a blurry line, with no pinpoint where work ends and vacation begins. I carry my computer with me everywhere and rarely go a day without logging in.
Paul Rose Jr. suffers a similar fate.
“I was born in 1970 and remember growing up on vacation. to get a hotel room, but I’m either there to speak or I’m running around Comic-Con doing interviews and covering panels. , a 10-day train tour and a cruise through Alaska, and every time I got decent WiFi, I would pull out my laptop and get my work done…I don’t even know how to stop.”
baby and boomer
Baby boomers are the best performers of all generations in 2022, but they face unique challenges. Balancing the needs of aging parents while caring for grandchildren for overworked children makes for the perfect storm for this generation.
“My husband and I are retired and financially independent, but over the last few years we have been able to take regular vacations over the summer to take care of our grandchildren and our aging parents. I couldn’t,” Petticoat JUNKtion.
Globally, staffing and labor shortages are a problem in most workplaces. His 56% of global survey respondents say their workplace or industry is battling a staffing shortage, making it difficult to get away from the problem. The Americas are most affected with 59% of her, compared to her 52% in Europe.
DownshiftingPRO’s Margarita Ibbott patiently waiting for her husband retire so they can start traveling together“I often travel without him because I have the time and resources, but he doesn’t have the time. As an account executive at a large company, it seems like there are fewer people on the ground.” The thing is, it’s more work.He takes more time off than his peers, but barely uses half of it!”
Take the stress out of planning
Flight cancellations and delays have become commonplace for travelers and cause significant inconvenience, especially during busy travel periods. has been canceled or significantly delayed.
Still, travelers won’t be deterred. Only 4% said they plan to reduce their travel in 2023 due to concerns about potential disruption. Expedia Flight data showing a 25% year-over-year increase in searches for summer vacations shows that Americans are on track to reduce vacation deprivation in 2023.
For some travelers, obstacles begin during the planning process. expedia new toolsIncluding Price Tracking & Predictions helps sacked Americans get their vacation back. 72% of Americans say they find booking travel stressful in their search to find the best deals.
The Expedia app features are designed with the traveler in mind. Using Expedia data, AI and machine learning, In-app features include:
Price tracking and forecasting: Take the guesswork out of booking by viewing your price history, receiving alerts when prices fluctuate, and knowing when prices may change.
package: When you book flights, hotels, and rental cars at the same time with Expedia (also known as bundling), you can save money quickly.
Travel planning board: Launched in June, this collaboration tool takes the stress out of travel planning by enabling groups of travelers to plan the perfect trip together.
Conversation trip planning: iOS users can easily plan their trips with Expedia’s new in-app features powered by ChatGPT. Start open-ended conversations with the Expedia app and get recommendations on where to go, where to stay, how to get around, things to see and do.
Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, said: “It’s the time savings and peace of mind knowing you have machine learning at your fingertips to inform booking decisions and tools that do the work of price tracking.”
“I will travel no matter what”
I have good news for you. Even though 69% expect inflation to affect the year ahead, only one in five expects to postpone vacations and is looking for ways to take them instead. increase. Cut your grocery bill and eating out. A whopping 87% of global travelers plan to travel the same amount or more in 2023, and 57% have already booked a trip this year.
It’s clear that vacation deprivation is hitting younger generations harder than ever before, but with proper planning, it doesn’t have to be. Taking time to travel can ease vacation deprivation and help people of all ages live healthier and happier lives.
This article was written and distributed by Wealth of Geeks.
Cassandra Karpiak is a travel writer and SavotourA native of Toronto with Danish roots who now lives in British Columbia, her travels have been seen in The Associated Press, MSN, CBS, NBC, Entrepreneurship, 24/7 Wall St, Times Daily and more. .
You can follow her travel adventures twitter, Instagram and Facebook.