Forty percent of American workers who received paid vacation as a job benefit did not use all of their available paid vacation days. In addition, half (50%) did not unplug while on vacation, with one in four reporting they worked every day of their vacations, according to new research from Alamo Rent A Car.
When asked why they didn’t use all their vacation days, 47% reported they were too busy at work.
In fact, 19% reported five days or more of paid vacation went unused in 2014.
Interestingly, Americans who used all of their paid vacation were more likely to unplug while on their trips (54% vs. 37%).
The study also found that parents are more likely to get paid vacation than non-parents (59% vs. 47%). However, parents tend to take shorter vacations than non-parents, with 37% reporting their family vacation lasted five days or less (vs. 26% of non-parents).
“Our research indicates work increasingly remains top of mind for many people, even when they’re vacationing with their families,” said Rob Connors, assistant vice president of brand marketing for Alamo Rent A Car. “But, while Americans may be working while traveling, they are still reaping benefits from time away from the office, with 71% of people feeling more positive after their vacations and 40% reporting they are more productive when they return to work.”
However, the research also revealed that younger American workers are finding it increasingly difficult to leave work behind, with 35% of millennials reporting they work every day while on vacation and come back from vacation less productive (21%). Millennials also said getting all their work done is a big stressor before leaving for vacation (29%).
Other family travel preferences and trends identified through the research include:
Vacation frequency, length and timing
- Thirty-eight percent of Americans prefer taking two vacations per year and are six times more likely (31%) to choose summer vacations over any other season, especially parents (41%);
- Thirty-six percent of families report six to seven days is the average length of a vacation with their immediate family members.
Destinations:
- Thirty-one percent of Americans prefer beach vacations, or somewhere sunny and warm, beating out theme parks (10%), cruises (8%) and ski trips (1%);
- More than half of families taking recurring vacations like to mix it up, choosing different locations most times or each time they travel;
- When asked how far families are willing to travel, 46% said there’s no limit – they’ll travel anywhere in the world.
Technology Use:
- Fifty-three percent of Americans use screen time on vacation to keep everyone entertained during the flight or drive;
- Dads are more likely than moms to approve the use of electronic devices for their children on vacation (98% vs. 93%);
- Six percent of parents do not let their children use any electronic devices on vacation.
Car Games:
- Despite a high percentage of families using screen time, almost two-thirds of parents report they still play traditional car games with their family while driving to a vacation destination;
- I-Spy is the favorite traditional car game for 45% of parents on family vacations. The License Plate Game is second (28%), and the Alphabet Game is third (24%);
- Single parents are more likely to play car games with kids on vacation than married parents (73% vs. 59%).
Stressors:
- Americans are most concerned about over-spending on family vacations. Forty-six percent of Americans report feeling apprehensive and nervous about spending too much money on a family vacation;
- A big stressor before leaving for vacation is packing (26%). Women are twice as likely as men to report packing as the biggest stressor before vacation (30% vs. 16%).
Regional Differences:
- Midwesterners are most likely to get paid vacation (62 percent). They are most likely to prefer a beach vacation, or someplace warm and sunny (43 percent);
- Westerners are most likely to play traditional car games with children (67 percent). In addition, Westerners prefer outdoor vacations (13 percent);
- Southerners prefer weekend trips more than all other regions combined (6 percent vs. 3.6 percent of Americans from all other regions). They also are the most likely to prefer a cruise vacation (11 percent);
- Northeasterners are the most likely to prefer to take vacations to theme or water parks (14 percent). This region is also the most likely to take a vacation during the summer (42 percent).