Connect with us

Travel

Do Americans Take Fewer Vacations Than Europeans?

Do Americans Take Fewer Vacations Than Europeans?

Americans take a lot of vacations. If there is any doubt just visit Myrtle Beach, SC, Gatlinburg, TN, or Seaside, OR on any given day. Cruise lines have ships going in and out of ports every day, and many on board are American. Despite how busy the tourist hubs appear there are many more Americans staying home or just going to work instead of celebrating leisure time. Europeans take many vacations too; in fact, the evidence shows they take much more vacation time than Americans.

Do Americans Take Fewer Vacations Than Europeans?

Statistical Data

Americans had an average of 12 vacation days last year, of which it was projected they would take only 10. This is compared with the European average of 25-30 annual vacation days. When assessing working habits of Americans and Europeans it has been shown that Americans work more each week and more weeks per year. Americans take between one half and one third as much vacation time as Europeans. In aggregate, Americans take about a week and a half while Europeans take about four weeks’ vacation. It would seem Americans put much less emphasis on vacation from work than Europeans do.

Economic Influences

The habits of American vacationers vary greatly based on household income. Many American households are simply too cash-strapped to justify any extra expense. With the downturn in the economy, Americans are driving more for vacations and flying less. Americans are taking shorter vacations, less of them, and traveling less internationally. One poll revealed that one fifth of Americans feel guilty about taking vacations and 12% are not planning to take any vacations. Still, about 40% of Americans have not allowed the economy to affect their travel plans. The economy in Europe has been sluggish recently as well. Statistics show that holiday travel in Europe is up anyway, but vacationers continue to spend less. While business travel in Europe is significantly down, vacation travel has not suffered. One quarter of European vacationers went abroad. Interestingly, international travel for Europeans and international travel for Americans may not be comparable. Many of the European countries are the size of one or two of the states in the United States, so domestic travel within the United States may still be comparable with some of Europe’s international travel.

Cultural Influences

Because Americans spend more time at work than Europeans, there is more domestic type work that has to be delegated to other workers including cooking and childcare. This creates more jobs for Americans and more expenses for Americans. American women spend an average of ten hours less per week on household chores than European women. The culture of enjoyment of domestic details suffers in America. Family vacations require uninterrupted time with children. This is a cultural and lifestyle quandary for many Americans whose lifestyle has been built around daycare, school, and video games. Vacations are trending to more than one short vacation per year occupying long weekends or partial weeks to fit around other obligations.

Byline

Gary Fairbanks is a freelance writer based in South Bend, Indiana. Gary is a self-professed travel fiend who focuses on all things related to travel and vacationing, including air travel, travel insurance, travel agency reviews and so forth; fellow travel fiends getting ready for a trip may want to check out the travel insurance brand Protectyourbubble.com.

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Home Improvement59 mins ago

How To Add More Value To Your Home

If you have some spare cash in the bank, it is likely you would like to spend it on your...

Lifestyle2 days ago

What is a Deep Plane Facelift

Cosmetic surgery is a choice that needs a lot of research and when it comes to thinking about a facelift...

Entrepreneur2 days ago

Unveiling the Demand for Digital Marketing Courses: A Comprehensive Analysis

In recent years, the realm of marketing has undergone a seismic shift propelled by the digital revolution. As businesses increasingly...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

What Does an Effective Wardrobe Spring Clean Entail?

Spring is upon us which means one thing and one thing only. It is time for the annual purge of...

Business2 months ago

Your Basic Guide To Creating A Unique Investment Blog

Starting your own blog is great and once you get the ball rolling, it can be a good passive income...

Business2 months ago

3 Low-Risk Ways To Get Your New Business Started

Once you’ve got an initial business idea and believe that it will be a success, there are some basic things...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Conquering the Co-free Zone: Tips for Thriving as a Remote Worker

Adjusting to an office environment can come with its downfalls in the sense that it might be a shock to...

General3 months ago

3 Ways To Take Control Of Your Finances Starting Now

If your finances have taken over and are bringing stress to your life, we understand just how overwhelming it can...

Travel5 months ago

Best Places To Visit In The North Of England

If you live in England, you will know there are many different places to visit for the weekend. There are...

General5 months ago

Green Home Improvement Ideas

In a world where environmental concerns are growing, the concept of “green” has gone beyond a trendy catchphrase and is...

Lifestyle5 months ago

How to Host an Unforgettable House-Warming!

The time has finally come. You have moved into your dream pad, and are officially adulting in your very own...

Autos5 months ago

A Guide to Parking Lot Striping

The journey to a well-striped parking lot begins with the right paint. In this brief guide, we’ll unravel the mystery...

Business8 months ago

Business Tips For Protecting Your Finances During A Recession

In 2023, taking the necessary steps to protect your finances for your business is now more important than ever. The...

Lifestyle9 months ago

Tips For Cleaning Your Trainers

If you’re into your trainers and streetwear, you’re likely to be very conscious of keeping them looking their best! So,...

Marketing9 months ago

Branding Trends For Start-Ups in 2023

Branding is incredibly important as it impacts how your business reaches and connects with its target market. If you’re branding...

Categories

Archives

Trending