Love & Wisdom

Going on Vacation? Maybe Not.

We’re more vacation-deprived than ever

By Rob Smith June 24, 2024

Not-Taking-Vacation_16x9

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Seattle magazine.

[addtoany]

If you’re reading this while on vacation, good for you.

Expedia’s 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report finds that roughly half of Americans don’t plan on using all their time off this year because “life is too busy to plan or go on vacation.” 

That’s not even the worst of it: The Seattle-based online travel company also reports that we average only 12 vacation days annually, the fewest of any country surveyed.

“We may not be able to control how many days off we get, but the research begs the question: What can we learn from other countries that will help Americans break this horrible habit of not using the time off we do have?” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations. 

So-called “vacation deprivation” is at an 11-year high, with 65% of Americans saying they don’t take enough vacation. While that’s consistent with other countries, work-life balance here seems out of whack.

Just look at France, a country Expedia describes as having a “right to rest.” Or maybe Hong Kong, where workers somehow find a way to take 90 extra days off during the course of their careers.

“In Japan, people take time off every month instead of just twice a year,” Fish adds. “For the French, not even a full month of vacation feels like enough time. Clearly there’s a lot for the U.S. to borrow from, whether it’s spreading your PTO throughout the year or prioritizing rest on your next vacation.” 

As a longtime journalist, it’s always been tough for me to unwind. When newspapers were still a thing, I’d often critique headlines or leads in whatever city I was “vacationing” in. At one point, my wife even banned me from looking at a newspaper. Unfortunately, my phone now feeds that obsession.

I’ve never had a serious thirst for travel, but I definitely understand the vacation void. As Fish says, “No one means to leave vacation days behind.”

Now, if I could only find my passport.

Follow Us

Chik-Fil-A and Starbucks, But No KFC

Chik-Fil-A and Starbucks, But No KFC

What’s your guilty fast-food pleasure?

Now comes a new data study that reveals Washington’s favorite and least favorite fast-food chains...

Virtual Playground

Virtual Playground

VR social gaming launches in Bellevue

Brush up on your VR gaming skills so you don’t flail in front of an audience — though, that’s meant to be part of the fun...

Downtown Seattle Gains Ground

Downtown Seattle Gains Ground

Foot traffic is on the rise

Downtown Seattle foot traffic continues to increase even though major retailers are increasingly moving out...

Canlis Goes Pink For KENLIS

Canlis Goes Pink For KENLIS

Upscale restaurant gets a colorful makeover

[addtoany]Canlis is going pink. The Seattle fine dining restaurant is ditching its dark colors in favor of a bold pink for a Barbie-themed event called “KENLIS” Aug. 9 and 10. The restaurant is now painted a flashy bright pink. The event is a dance party at “the Canlis dream house” that benefits breast cancer research…