For Millennials (myself included), planning the perfect trip is somewhat of a sport. An art form. An all-around overwhelming experience.
You see, years and years ago, before we could dive so deeply into our travel plans, taking a vacation was simple. But, that ship has sailed. Gone are the days of just submitting a PTO request and booking a flight. Now, not only do you need to come across the ideal destination, you need accommodations (and probably not a cookie-cutter hotel). You need transportation. You need a “vibe” your travel companions agree upon. (For example, are you going to relax? Soak up some culture? Get adventurous? Channel your inner foodie?) And you’ll also want to pre-select some activities and restaurants that truly fit your trip.
So, suffice it to say, planning a vacation takes significant time and research. But, a recent Hotels.com study showed Millennials are tired of it. With one in eight spending more than 15 hours researching, and 22% considering 11 different options, it’s a daunting task for any age group. In fact, 42% of Millennial travelers described vacation research as one of their biggest stressors (and that’s really the opposite effect you hope it will have).
However, in order to avoid the anxiety, most Millennial travelers have a plan. More than half (51%) will visit the same vacation spot, just so they don’t have to research for a different trip. And it’s not that they don’t want to travel to new places… it’s just that they don’t have the energy to prepare for them.
According to Travel+Leisure, that figure is especially daunting – especially considering Millennials are less likely to take a vacation in the first place. Fifty-six percent of young professionals won’t take time off for fear of projects piling up. But by the time they finally work up the courage to take a trip, they’re overwhelmed by the tedious task of planning it.
Feeling like this finding is #relatable? Us, too. We asked our Millennial travelers if they repeated the same vacations to avoid stressful research. Here’s what they had to say:
- Celeste Miller Account Manager – “Charleston, SC! This has definitely become our yearly trip and a home away from home. We love it, and we know where stuff is located, which makes it more relaxing.”
- Katie Rehrauer Partner, Account Director – “I have vacationed in Boyne City with my extended family the last weekend in July (also my birthday) every summer since I was in elementary school. I have never considered not going.”
- Lauren Zuzelski Partner, Account Director – “I love the tradition of the same place.”
- Kaitlynn Crane Associate, Senior Copywriter – “I’ve visited the charming, quaint and coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina four times… and I have every intention to return. By now, it’s become more of my second city than a vacation destination – which makes it a pretty pleasant escape.”
- Abigail Wilkins Copywriter – “For me, trip planning is actually a therapy of sorts to escape day-to-day stressors. The less I know about a destination and more I need to plan – the better! That being said, I do go back to certain sites again and again to make the process less stressful: SkyScanner is my favorite flight planning tool, TripAdvisor’s my go-to for experiences and independent bloggers are the best for details and attractions.”
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