The State of American Vacation: How Vacation Became A Casualty of Our Work Culture

America's time off habits, or lack thereof, have resulted in a record-setting waste of 658 million vacation days. More than half of American workers (55%) left vacation time unused in 2015 and forfeited a total of 222 million days. Will we take action to win back America’s Lost Week, or let vacation time become a casualty of the new work martyrdom culture? 



“The State of American Vacation” provides the most comprehensive look at America’s vacation habits to date. The study examines how America’s Lost Week, a 15-year decline in vacation usage, overlaps with key economic measures and the adaptation of technology in the workplace to determine what may be at the root of America’s work martyrdom.



Beyond the pressures workers place on themselves, managers play a key role in vacation habits as employees ranked their boss the most powerful influencer when it comes to taking time off. Further, 80 percent of employees said they would likely take more time off if they felt fully supported and encouraged by their boss. 



There is no slowing down technological advancement. The workplace will always be at Americans’ fingertips. These advances have improved life immeasurably, but have also created the conditions that require employees take an active role in creating time. Vacation time will not happen without dedicated thought and planning.

The growth of domestic travel is central to U.S. Travel’s overall mission. We support policies to improve travel infrastructure and national parks, among others, and foster programs and research that encourage increased domestic travel.

In the fall of 2018, U.S. Travel folded its domestic leisure-focused Project: Time Off initiative into an expanded public affairs portfolio, enhancing the association’s advocacy and research on domestic travel. Analysis that informs and advances this area of focus—including tracking America’s vacation usage and its benefits to travelers—is included in U.S. Travel’s research and messaging platforms for our members’ use and in support of activations such as National Plan for Vacation Day.