We Need To Take More Vacation Time..

According to Allianz Insurance, American's under use their vacation time...(From a Travel Blog)

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons), conducted a survey exploring the health benefits from traveling, and found that 81 percent of Americans say they notice “some improvement in their health or well-being” while away, and that traveling “often puts people in a better mood after they return.”

“Most Americans, in fact, report boosts to their physical or mental health not just during and after a trip, but even before one,” said Vicki Gelfeld, senior research advisor at AARP, which conducted a national online survey of about 1,500 adults this summer.

While adults don’t necessarily book a trip with wellness at the top of their itineraries, AARP’s research shows that travelers enjoy the unexpected bonuses of better sleep (51 percent), more energy (50 percent), increased productivity (46 percent), improved overall health (46 percent), and mental clarity (45 percent).

Most health improvements appear to last 3-4 weeks post-trip, respondents told AARP, with improved relationships with loved ones lasting six weeks on average.

The top-ranked factors leading to health benefits reported include spending quality time with friends and family (67 percent) and getting out of the day-to-day routine (63 percent).

While feeling better is an outcome for respondents to the AARP survey, wellness is not always an intentional part of travel. Only 31 percent of Baby Boomers incorporate some kind of wellness activity into their vacations intentionally, while 53 percent of Millennials (ages 21-37) and 40 percent of GenXers (ages 38-53) do the same.

Baby Boomers who do incorporate wellness activities into their trip say it has a side benefit, with most such activities somewhat planned (46 percent) or unplanned (45 percent). Just 9 percent of their trips were exclusively centered on wellness, the survey shows.

Among Boomers, about 66 percent cited physical wellness as being a part of their wellness vacation experience, and 40 percent noted physical wellness as the aspect from which they benefited most. Most Boomers got their exercise from walking (63 percent). Other top activities included sightseeing (31 percent), hiking (26 percent), swimming (24 percent), and spa services (20 percent).?

Boomers who were active on vacation look back on the value of their wellness activities favorably, and over 90 percent would likely choose similar activities again in the future. Meanwhile, 38 percent of these repeat wellness travelers are more apt not to plan, and just let an activity happen.

Health improvements from travel are likely impacted by the “health baggage” your clients bring with them into a trip. For example, slightly less than half of Baby Boomers see themselves as being in very good or excellent health, with more than one-fourth (26 percent) admitting they do not live a healthy lifestyle. About two-thirds of Boomers report having some kind of health issue, most commonly diabetes or with mobility, the number one issue that limits travel.

While vacations have many health benefits, travel advisors should be aware of the what AARP labeled the post-trip “vacation hangover.” About 20 percent of respondents reported feeling tired following a leisure trip, a period lasting about one week on average. Half of Baby Boomers indicated they do not experience any health issues post-trip.

AARP conducted the 15-minute online survey from a national sample of leisure travelers ages 18 and over. Respondents traveled within the past two years for two nights or more, at least 50 miles from home, for non-business-related travel.?The 1,500 surveys were completed in August 2018; and the data was weighted to U.S. Census, by generation, for analysis.

The Allianz Vacation Confidence Index has been conducted each summer since 2010 by national polling firm, Ipsos Public Affairs, on behalf of Allianz Global Assistance USA. A vacation is defined as a leisure trip of at least a week to a place that is 100 miles or more from home.

Contact me at cooperzipinfo@aol.com so I can help create a relaxing vacation for you in 2019 by yourself or with family & friends.