The People Bulletin

The annual, almost sacrosanct, annual two-week vacation is an endangered species.  At least that is what new research from the National Trust has revealed [1]. 

A poll of 2000 employees by the heritage charity indicates that the number of Brits taking two-week holidays has decreased by 18% over the past five years with half of them not planning to take a fortnight’s holiday at all this year. Instead, a new trend for taking multiple single day holidays throughout the year is emerging.

Over a quarter of respondents said they intended to take at least ten single day holidays – or ‘daycations’ – this year with a further 36% taking between five and ten days. Forty-eight per cent of those polled blamed the cost of a fortnight’s holiday as the main reason for not taking two weeks off work, whereas one in 12 hard-working employees blame the inability to switch off from the job.

Benefits

Dr Cecilia d’Felice [2], a clinical psychologist specialising emotional wellbeing explains the benefits of the daycation:

“We all know that holidays are good for us, but did you know that even a day long mini-break reduces stress, improves wellbeing and enhances quality of life? Research shows that taking a ‘daycation’ improves performance and safety at work, bonds family relationships and strengthens our vital social network."

 Key daycations facts

• 79% of people said they were relaxing.
• 63% of people are planning to take five or more daycations this year.
• 42% of people said that taking smaller but more frequent holidays was the main reason for favouring day trips.
• 64% of people said the daycation was a cheaper alternative to the traditional holiday.
• 57% of people believe daycations are a lot more hassle free.

Win a National Trust daycation  

The National Trust is understandably using the results of this research to promote the benefits of visiting its many visitor attractions to prospective daycationers and to win a free day out, all people have to do is tell them in no more than 50 words why you love daycations.  There are 50 free daycation passes (two adults and two children) to give away so all you have to do to be in with chance to win is send your entry to competitions@nationaltrust.org.uk. The closing date is 31 March and the terms and conditions can be viewed here. 

[1]  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-daycations.htm 

[2]  http://www.drceciliadfelice.com/