Week-Long Vacation? More Americans Saying No Thanks

When is the last time you packed your bags and hit the road for a week long vacation? If you’re an American, there’s a 51% chance you didn’t this year. The 10th annual Vacation Confidence Index, a survey conducted by Allianz Global Assistance, found that around half of Americans haven’t had a vacation in more than a year, including 38% who say it’s been more than two years since their last week long getaway. For the purposes of the survey, a vacation means a leisure trip of at least a week to a destination that is 100 miles or more from home.

RELATED: Americans Vacationing More, But Traveling Less

Are Americans Taking Less Vacation?

When was your last week-long vacation?

Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global Assistance, noted that while weeklong trips were less likely, Americans are finding some time to escape work and travel.

“While a majority of Americans think an annual week-long vacation is important, half haven’t taken time off in the last year,” he said.”This could be attributed to the growing trend of weekend or shorter getaways or the rise in ‘bleisure’ travel, but it’s also concerning to see the decline in vacation confidence levels. Another trend we’ve noticed is that during uncertain times, consumers turn to travel insurance to give them the confidence they need to book their trip, especially if it’s off the beaten path.”

Bleisure travel, or “business leisure” trends are on the rise as working remotely is an option for many. Adding a day or two onto the end of a business trip for pleasure mimics a real getaway without taking a week or more away from responsibilities.

About the Survey

The 10th annual Vacation Confidence Index looks back at how Americans’ vacation habits have changed over the past decade. The Vacation Confidence Index poll has been conducted each summer since 2010 by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Global Assistance USA.