How People Vacation And Common Travel Habits
Most people enjoy getting away every now and then. Vacations give you a chance to take time off work and see new places. Recently, a poll conducted by OnePoll for the timeshare brand Club Wyndham looked into how people vacation and other travel habits. They surveyed 2,000 adults who travel.
Vacation Insights
They found that one in five Americans are “always” thinking about planning their next vacation while on vacation. The study also found that one in five long to be on vacation again the day they get back from vacation (21%), and another 27% said this feeling sets in within a week.
“With today’s travelers often putting a great deal of time and thought into the trip planning and dreaming stages to ensure a vacation that is well tailored to their interests, it’s not surprising that they want to experience the ‘vacation glow’ again and again,” said Annie Roberts, senior vice president of club and owner services at Club Wyndham.
Interestingly, the average person spent 11 days on vacation last year. Looking ahead, the average person wants to spend 15 days on vacation this year. If they had unlimited PTO, they would want to spend 18 days on vacation.
Only a quarter of respondents said they travel more than the average person they know. About 46% want to be known as a frequent traveler by others in their life.
The survey found that 89% of those surveyed said vacation reduces their stress levels, even temporarily with 84% saying a vacation can relax them and decrease stress for up to two weeks upon returning. A majority of respondents said that they consider vacations as a form of self-car (86%).
Similarly, eight in 10 would be interested in a “do-nothing” vacation where they sit by the pool, beach, or inside reading a book or relaxing.
More Traveling Habits
To make sure they get what they’re looking for, those surveyed go to great lengths to plan their vacations. Respondents want to steer clear of discomforts like sharing a bathroom with others (27%) and they want to avoid situations where they would have difficulty sleeping (27%). Most Americans surveyed said that when on vacation with others, they prefer having their own or extra space to spread out (79%), including 82% of parents.
If they had their dream hotel room, respondents would make sure there was Wi-Fi (55%), a private balcony or outdoor area (41%), a large bedroom (37%), a large bathroom (33%), and a full-sized kitchen or kitchenette (32%).
Check out the complete survey here.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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