Omnibus Survey Conducted by Ocean City, Md., Reveals 70 Percent of Americans Have Used Vacation Days for Activities that are Far from a Day at the Beach

OCEAN CITY, Md., April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey conducted by Ocean City, Md., Americans are using their vacation days (paid time off) for activities that are a far cry from a day at the beach. The national survey of 1,500 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who have received paid time off from their employer, revealed respondents have used paid time off on at least one of the following activities:

• Medical appointments for themselves or their family (45 percent)
• Running errands, such as shopping, visiting the post office or bank, etc. (38 percent)
• Home repairs/home improvement (34 percent)
• Moving (29 percent)
• Waiting for a service representative, such as a plumber (28 percent)
• Gardening (16 percent)
• Visiting the department of motor vehicles (15 percent)

The survey also revealed that 43 percent of respondents have rolled over vacation days to the following year, 16 percent have lost vacation days at the end of the year because they didn't get a chance to use them, and only 44 percent have always taken all their vacation days.

"The American idea of a vacation day is in need of a serious makeover," said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. "We discovered the public is using vacation days for unfortunate activities like doctor appointments or home improvement projects instead of leisure and fun. Now, more than ever, people need to put the vacation back in their vacation days, and we hope they consider visiting our beautiful beach town this spring and summer."

To encourage people to use their paid time off for a real vacation, Ocean City will be highlighting this national trend of less leisurely vacation days in its new advertising and social media campaign. A contest will also take place in which one grand prize winner will receive a seven-night stay at the Grand Hotel  in Ocean City and a visit from the Ocean City Vacation Day Crew which will offer home cleaning services, landscaping and yard cleaning and a full car wash with interior detailing to ensure no vacation day excuses.

To learn more about how Americans can better use their vacation days in Ocean City and all the town has to offer including free family events six nights a week, please visit www.ococean.com.

Notes to Editors:

• Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan is available for interviews.
• To schedule an interview, please contact Kathleen Shaffer at (410) 902-5053 or [email protected].

About the Survey
Ipsos eNation service conducted a national omnibus online survey between Feb. 27 and March 4, 2014 on behalf of Ocean City, Md. A total of 2,000 American adults ages 18+ were surveyed on their use of vacation days or paid time off given by an employer. Results are weighted to the U.S. Census Current Population Survey, using factors of gender, age, income and region.

Media Contacts:
Kathleen Shaffer
(410) 902-5053
[email protected]

Jessica Waters
(410) 289-8967
[email protected]

Donna Abbott
(410) 723-8609
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140403/PH97926

SOURCE Ocean City, Md.