Screen Time, Downtime and Truly Unplugging: Alamo Study Explores Work-Related Family Travel Trends

ST. LOUIS, March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Alamo Rent A Car provides insight into Americans' work habits before, during and after family vacations. The study found 40 percent of American workers who received paid vacation as a job benefit did not use all of their available paid vacation days. In addition, half (50 percent) did not unplug while on vacation, with one in four reporting they worked every day of their vacations.  

When asked why they didn't use all their vacation days, 47 percent reported they were too busy at work. In fact, 19 percent reported five days or more of paid vacation went unused in 2014. Interestingly, Americans who used all of their paid vacation were more likely to unplug while on their trips (54 percent vs. 37 percent).

The study also found that parents are more likely to get paid vacation than non-parents (59 percent vs. 47 percent). However, parents tend to take shorter vacations than non-parents, with 37 percent reporting their family vacation lasted five days or less (vs. 26 percent of non-parents).

"Our research indicates work increasingly remains top of mind for many people, even when they're vacationing with their families," said Rob Connors, assistant vice president of brand marketing for Alamo Rent A Car. "But, while Americans may be working while traveling, they are still reaping benefits from time away from the office, with 71 percent of people feeling more positive after their vacations and 40 percent reporting they are more productive when they return to work."

However, the research also revealed that younger American workers are finding it increasingly difficult to leave work behind, with 35 percent of millennials reporting they work every day while on vacation and come back from vacation less productive (21 percent). Millennials also said getting all their work done is a big stressor before leaving for vacation (29 percent).

Other family travel preferences and trends identified through the research include:

• Vacation frequency, length and timing:
  • Thirty-eight percent of Americans prefer taking two vacations per year and are six times more likely (31 percent) to choose summer vacations over any other season, especially parents (41 percent).
  • Thirty-six percent of families report six to seven days is the average length of a vacation with their immediate family members.
• Destinations:
  • Thirty-one percent of Americans prefer beach vacations, or somewhere sunny and warm, beating out theme parks (10 percent), cruises (8 percent) and ski trips (1 percent).
  • More than half of families taking recurring vacations like to mix it up, choosing different locations most times or each time they travel.
  • When asked how far families are willing to travel, 46 percent said there's no limit – they'll travel anywhere in the world.
• Technology Use:
  • Fifty-three percent of Americans use screen time on vacation to keep everyone entertained during the flight or drive.
  • Dads are more likely than moms to approve the use of electronic devices for their children on vacation (98 percent vs. 93 percent).
  • Six percent of parents do not let their children use any electronic devices on vacation.
• Car Games:
  • Despite a high percentage of families using screen time, almost two-thirds of parents report they still play traditional car games with their family while driving to a vacation destination.
  • I-Spy is the favorite traditional car game for 45 percent of parents on family vacations. The License Plate Game is second (28 percent), and the Alphabet Game is third (24 percent).
  • Single parents are more likely to play car games with kids on vacation than married parents (73 percent vs. 59 percent).
• Stressors:
  • Americans are most concerned about over-spending on family vacations. Forty-six percent of Americans report feeling apprehensive and nervous about spending too much money on a family vacation.
  • A big stressor before leaving for vacation is packing (26 percent). Women are twice as likely as men to report packing as the biggest stressor before vacation (30 percent vs. 16 percent).
• Regional Differences:
  • Midwesterners are most likely to get paid vacation (62 percent). They are most likely to prefer a beach vacation, or someplace warm and sunny (43 percent).
  • Westerners are most likely to play traditional car games with children (67 percent). In addition, Westerners prefer outdoor vacations (13 percent).
  • Southerners prefer weekend trips more than all other regions combined (6 percent vs. 3.6 percent of Americans from all other regions). They also are the most likely to prefer a cruise vacation (11 percent). 
  • Northeasterners are the most likely to prefer to take vacations to theme or water parks (14 percent). This region is also the most likely to take a vacation during the summer (42 percent).

The 2015 Alamo Family Vacation Survey* was conducted from Jan. 20- 23, 2015, with 1,005 adults from the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Alamo is a value-oriented, internationally recognized brand serving the rental needs of airport leisure travelers. For more information, visit www.alamo.com.

*The survey was fielded using the Research Now online consumer panel. At the time of the survey, participants had to have been at least 18 years of age or older, be married, have a domestic partnership or have a child under the age of 22, and taken one or more trips with their immediate family and/or their extended family in the past five years. Age data was weighted to the adult population based on U.S. Census data.

About Alamo Rent A Car

Founded in 1974, Alamo Rent A Car – the largest car rental provider to international travelers visiting North America – offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations throughout the world. In addition, Alamo customers in the U.S. are able to conveniently choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport.

Alamo is a recognized technology innovator, with the industry's first and only online check-in system since 2005, as well as more than 171 self-service kiosks at 63 U.S. locations, which earned it the "Extra Mile Award" from Budget Travel magazine in 2007.  Alamo also serves as the official rental car of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. Customers who book online receive Alamo's best rates, and if they choose the "Prepay & Save" option when making their online reservation, they may receive an additional 10 percent discount. 

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SOURCE Alamo Rent A Car

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