Americans Still Leaving Vaca Days Unused

The latest Vacation Deprivation survey by travel Web site Expedia found that Americans are likely to give back more than 574 million vacation days in 2006, with each employed US adult age 18 and older anticipated leaving an average of four vacation days on the table. That’s up an additional day from 2005, according to the announcement.

In fact, Expedia found, a third (33%) of Americans do not always take all of their vacation days, despite more than one-third (36%) reporting that they feel better about their job and more productive upon returning from vacation.

“Vacation Deprivation in America is at an all-time high,” said Sally McKenzie, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com, in the announcement. “There are incredible health and wellness benefits associated with time off from work. Americans should take a cue from their foreign counterparts and relish the vacation they earn.”

View from Other Countries

Compared to other countries included in the survey, Americans receive the fewest vacation days per year on average (14 days), compared to 17 days in Australia, 19 days in Canada, 24 days in Great Britain, 27 days in Germany and 39 days in France.

Other survey results include that:

• France once again wins the distinction for taking and receiving the most vacation days out of those countries surveyed. Employed adults in France receive an average of 39 days of vacation each year, with two in five (40%) taking a 3-4 week vacation during the summer holidays, compared to the one-week getaway that two in five (40%) Americans take.
• Germans are vacation lovers too, with the average employed adult using 26 of their 27 vacation days, placing vacation as a priority over work (72% say they have not cancelled or postponed vacation plans in the past due to work), and investing in their vacations.
• Australians also value their time away from work. About two in five (39%) employed Australian adults anticipate using most of their vacation time by taking at least one vacation lasting up to two full weeks, compared to the one-week getaway that 40% of Americans take.
• Like many workers, Canadians benefit greatly from their vacation time. 44% of employed Canadian adults reported feeling better about their jobs and feeling more productive upon returning from vacation, while 55% say they feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal life.

Harris Interactive fielded the online survey on behalf of Expedia.com between March 30 and April 7, 2006 among nationwide cross-sections of 2,327 adults age 18+ in the United States, 1,905 adults aged 16+ in Great Britain, 2,197 adults aged 16+ in France, 2,094 adults aged 16+ in Germany, and 1,031 adults aged 16+ in Australia.

More information is at http://www.vacationdeprivation.com/ .