The micro-break is Canada's answer to vacation deprivation

Expedia study finds that Canadian workers are expected to leave more than 40 million unused vacation days on the table in 2018

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 /CNW/ -- Today Expedia®, one of the world's largest full service online travel sites, released the results of the 2018 Expedia Vacation Deprivation® report, an annual study of vacation habits among employed adults in North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The report revealed that over half of Canadians (55%) use their vacation days by incorporating some element of a 'quick trip' into their plans throughout the year, such as a long-weekend or a 1-2 day micro-break. This latest travel trend is a convenient and affordable solution to vacation deprivation, stepping away from the daily stressors and taking some much deserved 'you' time. On average, Canadian workers receive 17 vacation days and take 15 of them – leaving two days on the table. In total for 2018, the expected result is 40.1 million unused vacation days¹.

Millennials are weekend warriors
With increasingly demanding commitments, almost two-thirds (58%) of millennials are integrating short weekend trips into their schedules – the highest of any age group. Traveller behaviour supports this trend – Expedia.ca data shows an increase in demand of more than 25 per cent for hotel bookings for one-night stays in Canada for 2017 versus 2016². And interestingly, travellers are booking these super short holidays last-minute, with more than half of micro-breaks being booked on Expedia.ca less than six days before travel, and more than two in five are booked via a mobile device – indicating that at times Canadians are a spontaneous group³.

"The benefits to taking a vacation are immense! And according to this year's study, Canadians felt better about themselves, held more confidence, and also believed they were better able to solve problems following a vacation," said Beverly Beuermann-King, a Canadian work-life balance expert. "Though life gets busy, taking time for yourself is so important for our well-being. That's why the solution of a micro-break can be very powerful. By having the ability to quickly reset, this will lead to increased productivity and an overall better outlook on life."

From coast to coast Canadians need more vacation   
Vacation deprivation is on the rise both globally (58%) and at home, with more than half of Canadians feeling vacation deprived (54%); an increase from last year, demonstrating that challenges are still at hand. The study revealed:

• In comparison to their US neighbours, Canadians are less vacation deprived overall, with 59 per cent of workers south of the border reporting feeling strained and deprived for time off.
• Ontario is the most vacation deprived region within Canada with almost sixty per cent feeling this sentiment (57%); the Atlantic region reported being the least vacation deprived (44%) and, in fact was over ten per cent less than Ontario.
• Quebec has made strides in this space. They are no longer the most vacation deprived region, and actually the highest group to have taken a vacation in the past three months (72%). They also receive the most vacation days (19) amongst all Canadians.
• Food and beverage workers ranked as the most vacation deprived industry in Canada, with seven out of ten individuals reporting this feeling –an increase of 8 per cent compared to last year. In fact, the industry receives on average two less vacation days than Canadians overall, and in the end, only takes ten of them. The retail industry came second as most vacation deprived (68%), followed by real estate (57%).

Vacations are a way Canadians care for their mental health
Canadians feel strongly that vacations are a key component in their mental well-being. Almost 90 per cent said that vacations give them a chance to hit the "reset button" on their stress and anxiety. The report revealed:

• Over eighty per cent of Canadians said they regularly take vacations where the primary goal is their own mental wellness. This was of the greatest importance to Quebecers (84%).
• Almost ninety per cent (87%) of Canadians return from a vacation feeling less anxious and worried, but instead more able to take on the next challenge.
• On average, Canadians take two mental health days per year. Mental health days are a common occurence around the world, with about half (54%) of workers globally having taken at least one last year.

Vacation is viewed as valuable, a right
Though almost half of Canadians (45%) expressed having a hard time leaving work behind when taking a vacation, more than two thirds (65%) view vacation as their right. At the end of the day, guilt only plays a factor for 10 per cent of travellers when asking for time off. And that positive feeling associated with a vacation can set in immediately for some; almost a quarter of Canadians (23%) said they felt relaxed as soon as they boarded the plane or hit the road. And for another 44 per cent of respondents the feeling of relaxation sets in quickly after the first day or 2-3 days into the trip, demonstrating that it doesn't take long to unwind.

Get the planning started now
With only a few months left in 2018, now is a great time to map out how to use remaining vacation days. Whether it's finances or time that are scarce, the below tips should help anyone maximize their time spent in 'out-of-office' mode:

• Take a fast and affordable micro-break. To get the most out of a quick trip, try to keep travel time under four hours and choose accommodations close to the area's main attractions.
• Take the intimidation factor out of that longer, bucket list trip that's been put off by starting to plan now. January and February are often cheaper times to travel compared to the busy holiday season, and booking a few months out will ensure better rates.
• Lock in your flight now, worry about the hotel later. For travellers that aren't ready to commit to a vacation package quite yet, incredible savings can still be had. Expedia lets travellers who have booked a flight or car rental come back any time before the start of their trip to attach a hotel for up to 50 per cent in savings, taking the pressure off making all the decisions at once.
• For additional savings, travellers should consider taking advantage of rewards programs. This allows for the qualification of upgrades and provides additional access to special sales and promotions. Through Expedia+ rewards, members have access to exclusive deals, while also earning points that can be applied to future travel.

To read more results from the 2018 study, please visit the Expedia Canada Travel Blog.

About the 2018 Vacation Deprivation Survey
This study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research firm. The survey was conducted online from September 19-28, 2018 across North America, Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted among 11,144 respondents across 19 countries. For the Canadian specific data, 1,001 random employed adults were used for the sample. Those who were not employed full-time, part-time or self-employed were disqualified.

About Expedia
Expedia is one of the world's largest full-service travel sites, helping millions of travellers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia aims to provide the latest technology and widest selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps. ©2018 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. Visit our web site https://www.expedia.ca or use our mobile app to book cheap flights, hotels, and packages.

^1 Canadian workforce estimated at 20,097,370 in 2017 by World Bank
^2 Hotel data with an origin and destination of Canada, sourced from Expedia.ca by comparing 2017 versus 2016
^3 Hotel data with an origin and destination of Canada, sourced from Expedia.ca by comparing 2017 versus 2016

Source:
Brand Expedia  

SOURCE Expedia.ca

Mary Zajac, Expedia Canada, [email protected], [phone]