Study Reveals Employees Don't Use Vacation Days

Nearly half of Americans do not use all of their vacation days, a recent National Public Radio study found. Vacations and time off increase employee wellness, contributing to improved performance in the workplace and higher levels of job satisfaction*. Whether travelers have saved up vacation days for an once-in-a-lifetime trip or want to make the most of a long weekend, Cruise Planners travel advisors are a resource for travelers looking to use their time off wisely with a customized trip that fits their time and financial constraints.

“Time off is a valuable benefit, however American employees don’t always take the time to recharge,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. "The right travel agent can help."

The positive benefits of a vacation outweigh the benefits of staying in the office and not taking advantage of time off. Employees may feel their company or department cannot operate effectively without them while others feel their workload is too heavy, resulting in a work-martyr mentality associated with taking time off work, according to a study by Project: Time Off.

 “In the travel industry, we believe that time off improves efficiency in the workplace by increasing employees’ happiness and breaking up the monotony of employees’ routines,” Fee said. “Vacations create stronger family bonds and help travelers gain inspiration through new experiences. Why spend four weeks planning a four-day vacation when a travel advisor can plan it in a fraction of the time?””

Travelers who plan their trip at least a month in advance, travel far away from home and make a cultural connection with their destination have higher levels of happiness and energy upon returning to work, Project: Time Off reports. A Harvard Business Review study found that poorly planned vacations could actually increase stress, indicating that thorough planning and utilizing resources such as a travel advisor are essential for travelers.

"It’s time for employees to let go of whatever reason they have for not using their vacation days and get ready to escape the workplace and relax,” Fee said. “A Cruise Planners travel advisor is the perfect resource for helping plan a vacation that will bring the ultimate level of happiness."