Americans spend the equivalent of 284 days of their life dreaming about being on vacation, according to new research. A new study into the travel habits of 2,000 Americans looked to uncover what inspires people to get out and travel, and how we go about making our travel dreams a reality.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Travelex, showed Americans spend over 113 hours every year thinking about being on a beach or getting away from the daily routine.
With the average respondent seeing 2.4 vacation pictures on social media that makes them jealous every single day, or 891 every year, it’s no wonder that the jealousy eventually manifests into plane tickets.
But there’s a reason social media is often packed to the brim with beautiful stills of beaches, exotic locations, and people just having more fun than you in general, as 36 percent of Americans admit they put on a show for social media so their friends know their lives are great.
14 percent say it’s “very important” that people know they’re living a fun life with a large chunk of those respondents, maybe unsurprisingly, falling within the 18-34 age range.
And while social media envy and FOMO (fear of missing out) definitely play a huge part these days in travel destinations, being bored of your daily routine is still the biggest contributor, with 58 percent saying they’ve taken a vacation to break up their normal day-to-day.
Settling into a dull daily routine can make anyone go mad with travel lust, which perhaps explains why the average American checks flight prices and deals at least weekly.
“Between work and personal lives most people have a very hectic day-to-day routine,” said Christine Buggy of Travelex. “Taking a vacation away from home is the only way to get some well-deserved rest, relaxation and quality time with family and friends.”
While some people may want to travel with the intent to party, go on an adventure, or learn a new language, 52 percent of Americans say “relaxing” is their top priority when it comes to picking out a trip.
And relax they do, as 71 percent saying they smile more on vacation.
And if you need more reasons to go on that trip, 69 percent report they laugh more often on vacation, 71 percent feel less stressed, and one in four say they even exercise more while on a trip.
But traveling is not without its reservations, as 56 percent of Americans say money is their biggest concern while taking that much needed holiday. And once you do finally book, what if something comes up and you have to cancel that expensive trip, as has happened to 40 percent of Americans? 34 percent of respondents say they buy travel insurance for this reason alone.
“Most people spend a considerable amount of time and money planning their vacation. An unexpected injury, illness, or misfortune can interrupt all the fun during your trip or even cause you to cancel,” said Christine Buggy of Travelex. “Unplanned events happen, and they can derail a vacation, leaving you with additional expenses or the loss of non-refundable payments. A Travelex insurance plan can help keep you protected against those unforeseen events.”
Top 15 reasons Americans have felt inspired to travel
Needed a break from my everyday life 58%
Wanted to visit a friend/family member 55%
Life event (birthday, anniversary, wedding, reunion etc. 38%
Leisure event (festival, retreat, etc.) 35%
Romance with partner 34%
Bored of my day-to-day routine 29%
Learn about history or heritage 29%
Wanted to do something meaningful 25%
Wanted to learn a new culture 21%
Bad weather where I live 16%
There was a deal on a flight 15%
Wanted to meet people 15%
Saw a place in a movie/TV show that I wanted to see 15%
Wanted to have a story to tell people 10%
Wanted to tan 10%
Top 10 biggest concerns while travelingIt is too expensive 56%
I won’t have enough time 22%
I’m worried about my safety 21%
Afraid my baggage will get lost and not arrive 16%
I don’t like flying 14%
I’m afraid I’ll get sick or injured while traveling 13%
Afraid of terrorist attacks 11%
I’m afraid of getting robbed or pick pocketed. 10%
I don’t speak the language where I’m traveling 9%
I won’t know what to do/where to go 8%
Top 10 movie/TV sets/locations Americans have gotten travel inspiration from
Harry Potter
The Sound of Music
Lord of the Rings
Sex in the City
Game of Thrones
Mamma Mia!
Forrest Gump
The Da Vinci Code
Braveheart
Downton Abbey
ENDS
