Taking a vacation is more important than ever. That’s what Americans are saying loud and clear in the 2021 Vacation Confidence Index survey.

The survey from Allianz Partners USA found that 73% of Americans stated a vacation was important to them. That’s an increase of 9 percentage points since 2020, 13 points since 2019 and 15 points since 2018.

More than half of respondents said (in May 2021) that they hadn’t taken a vacation in over a year. More than a quarter said it had been two or more years since they last vacationed.

Now, however, people are no longer willing to tolerate a vacation deficit — a term that means believing that an annual vacation is important, but not being confident in taking a vacation this year. The percentage of Americans who are experiencing a vacation deficit has dropped to 20% this year, compared to 44% in 2020.

Here are a few more insights from Allianz Partners USA’s 13th annual Vacation Confidence Index, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs.

Why Is Taking a Vacation Important?

Going on a vacation isn’t just about having fun. It can make a big difference to your mental health.

Vacation Confidence Index research in 2018 found that Americans suffering from a vacation deficit were almost two times as likely to show signs of moderately severe to severe depression, compared to the national average. Just over 30 percent of Americans with a vacation deficit demonstrated symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

The converse is also true: Vacation makes you feel good. Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) American workers are extremely or very happy while on vacation, according to the U.S. Travel Association.¹ Time off also can boost your physical wellbeing by improving heart health and reducing stress.²

The positive effects extend into the period before you leave. 97% of survey respondents said having a trip planned makes them happier, the Institute for Applied Positive Research found in a 2020 survey. “Survey respondents overwhelmingly believe that anticipating a planned trip delivers significant mental health benefits — and a sense of control during a very uncertain time,” the Institute said.³

It’s no surprise that people are realizing they really do need a vacation. In May 2021, 63% of Americans said they were confident they’d take a vacation that year, up from 37% in 2020​ and 49% in 2019.

4 Tips for (Finally) Planning a Vacation

Turning vacation dreams into reality can be harder than it seems. Compared to the rest of the world, Americans have long been vacation-deprived. The United States remains the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers any paid vacation time or holidays. One in four Americans receive no paid time off (PTO) at all.⁴ Those who do get PTO used an average of 11.6 days in 2020, leaving a third of their time unused.⁵

Make this the year that you use your time off to the fullest. Here’s how:

Mark your calendar for National Plan Your Vacation Day. The U.S. Travel Association designates the last Tuesday of January as the day to — what else? — plan your vacation for the coming year. Making summer plans in January might seem overly optimistic, but it’s a good idea. You’ll be able to clear the dates with work far in advance; you’ll have more choices available when booking vacation rentals or hotels; and you’ll get the mental health benefits of looking forward to your getaway.

Align your vacation expectations. Do you want to travel, or do you want to vacation? The two words aren’t synonymous for everyone. When you’re planning your trip, think about what refreshes your spirit. Is it sightseeing and exploring an unfamiliar place? Or relaxing and not doing much of anything? If your family members or travel companions have different approaches, choose a destination that allows both.

Consider taking more than one micro-cation. While a vacation of at least eight days is optimal, even a four-day getaway has been shown to have positive effects on stress and well-being.⁶ If you can’t get away from work or family responsibilities for a full week or more, that’s OK! One in three (34%) Americans planned to take multiple short vacations — aka “micro-cations” — in summer 2021, with an average trip length of four nights.

Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. The best time to buy travel insurance is right after you’ve made your travel arrangements and/or paid your first trip deposits. The earlier you purchase insurance, the sooner you’ll be protected in case of a trip cancellation. Travel insurance  also can protect you if you experience a covered trip interruption, travel delay, medical emergency or other travel mishap.

Some of our most popular travel insurance plans now include the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. (Benefits vary by plan and are not available in all jurisdictions. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.) Learn more about how the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your trip.

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