The two-week summer vacation is becoming a rarity, replaced by brief leisure jaunts which may last only 48 hours — otherwise known as the “micro-vacation” in the travel industry.
Six-out-of-10 Americans, in fact have not taken a vacation longer than four night in the past year. Cost, work concerns and simply personal preference all play a role. Some people simply don’t want the hassle and commitment of a longer getaway — and some say they no longer require a longer vacation in general.
“Not only are Americans taking shorter trips, but for many, these micro-cations are replacing the traditional vacation. Almost two in ten Americans (18 percent) said their longest trip in the last year was three to four nights, while one in 10 (11 percent) took no trips longer than just one to two nights,” reports a new IPSOS survey conducted on behalf of Global Allianz Assistance, a travel insurance provider.
A surprising 28% have not taken any leisure trips whatsoever in recent days.
“Micro-cations may allow Americans to travel more frequently, with 25 percent of the general population and one in three (29 percent) of Millennials saying they took at least three micro-cations in the last year,” the survey analysis said.
Among the findings:
• 57% of Americans have not taken a leisure trip longer than four nights away in the past year.
• 32% prefer such a micro-vacation because it’s easier to take off work.
• 32% say they do not need a getaway to last more than five nights.
• 28% have not taken a leisure trip of any length in the past year.
• 26% prefer shorter trips in general, 19% don’t want to spend the money on long trips.
• 10% say it’s easier to find a travel companion on a short trip.
Source: An IPSOS/Allianz Global Assistance survey conducted May 1-2 and released Thursday.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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