Toronto,
30
August
2017
|
16:20
Europe/Amsterdam

Canadians Struggle to Get Into #VacayMode

Worries of leaving pets and home restrain them from fully embracing holiday, unveils Booking.com

  • One in five Canadians say they are not worry-free the first 24 hours of holiday
  • Accommodation that meets or exceeds expectations, paired with perfect weather helps the transition for most Canadians

TORONTO, August 16, 2017 - Whether it’s a weekend getaway with friends, a seven day all-inclusive trip for two or just a staycation, everyone wants to relax and unwind on vacation. However, according to the latest research conducted by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting people with the most incredible places to stay, worries about home, work and even holiday-related concerns can get in the way.

The research surveyed over 18,000 people from 25 countries worldwide, found one in five (21%) Canadian travellers worry about things going wrong the first day of their holiday. Whether it’s leaving their house empty or having separation anxiety from their pets (20%), almost half (42%) of Canadians confessed the first 24 hours of their vacation often go by in a blur. This can mean travellers struggle to switch off from their worries and switch into holiday mode.

Switching on that holiday feeling

When exactly do Canadian travellers turn on their holiday mode? The research revealed that it varies on what it takes for people to feel as though they’re finally on a vacation:

  • Accommodation plays a huge role for many Canadians as one in four (26%) of the respondents say they are ready to relax as soon as they arrive at their accommodation
  • For others, they physically need to unwind and so the transition takes place after they’ve had some sleep/a rest (15%)
  • Unfortunately, one in 20 Canadian travellers (5%) say they never feel as though they are in holiday mode

Unlocking the perfect holiday combination

Nevertheless, switching to holiday mode can be done, and according to these travellers, there’s a lot to be said for getting Vitamin D from sunshine or some fresh alpine air. Having the perfect weather was the top reason for what helps travellers from the Great White North switch to holiday mode (54%).

The same research also shows where travellers stay during their vacation plays a key role. Canadians find it easier to catch on the holiday vibe when their accommodation meets or exceeds expectations (42%), they have an inviting and welcoming host or concierge (24%), their accommodation feels like home (23%) and has easy access to amenities such as spas and pool (21%).

Pair the best accommodation with the right kind of weather and you’ll find the most relaxed Canadian travellers!

Pepijn Rijvers, Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com comments: “Whether long anticipated or booked more spontaneously, holidays give us experiences unlike anything else. So nothing could be more important than helping travellers dial down any stress and dial up relaxation that bit quicker, supporting them through seamless planning and booking to getting the absolute most out of their stay once arrived. We know how crucial the right accommodation is – affirmed by the fact that over one in five travellers say they switch to holiday mode when they arrive at their villa, apartment, hotel or other unique place to stay – so we leverage the best of technology and the voice of fellow travellers to empower people to find the one most suited to them. With over 1.2 million unique properties that have over 25 million bookable rooms, Booking.com offers more awesome, unique places to stay than any other travel company in the world.”

With more than half (64%) of Canadian travellers believe that the first 24 hours of a vacation are all about relaxing and resetting, Booking.com has partnered with life coach and wellbeing expert, Sloan Sheridan-Williams, to provide travellers with easy and practical tips to switch to holiday mode a little sooner.

“Whether you’re staying in an apartment, hostel, boat or even a treehouse, many travellers feel more relaxed making their accommodation like home. Bringing comforting items with you like your favourite night time hot drink, personalised mug, own pillowcase or bedtime journal can help lighten up your first 24 hours in a different environment,” said Sheridan-Williams.

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CONTACT DETAILS

For further information, contact the Booking.com Canadian Press Office;

Hwee Yee Tan / Hwee@punchcanada.com / 416.770.0646

NOTES TO EDITORS

Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a nationally representative sample, provided by Research Now. In total 18,496 respondents were surveyed (1,000+ from the UK, US, Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, India and Russia and 500+ each from Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand and Taiwan). Respondents completed an online survey between 27th April and 15th May 2017.

About Booking.com

Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), Booking.com now employs more than 15,000 employees in 199 offices in 70 countries worldwide.

With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travellers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in over 40 languages, offer over 1.3 million properties, and cover more than 110,000 destinations in 227 countries and territories worldwide.

Each day, more than 1.4 million room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether travelling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal accommodation quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in 43 languages, any time of the day or night.

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