Homebound holidaymakers can still reap the psychological benefits of travel, and find relief from vacation deprivation, by tapping into cherished memories of holidays past, amid this unprecedented time of travel restrictions, according to Expedia’s latest Vacation Deprivation Study.
Conducted by Northstar Research Partners on behalf of Expedia, the study, which surveyed 11,000 individuals across 19 markets, found that a large majority (93 per cent) of Singaporean working adults indicated that taking regular vacations is important for general health and well-being.
Additionally, 88 per cent said they feel rejuvenated and have a better outlook on life after vacations, while a significant 82 per cent indicated that they regularly take vacations to improve mental wellness.
The company has termed the positive psychological effects of travel, as affirmed by the study’s findings, the Vacation State of Mind.
While travel plans are clouded with uncertainty at the moment, the online travel giant believes that the yearning for that much-needed getaway can be lessened with techniques that prolong this state of mind.
One way is to tap into vacation memories when feeling stressed at work. Some 79 per cent of the 1,000 Singaporean residents polled between March 4 and 27 indicated that they had done so in order to relax during such stressful times.
Approximately two-thirds (74 per cent) also looked at photos from holidays on their phones when feeling overwhelmed, while a slightly lesser number (71 per cent) took the step of surrounding themselves with pictures, mementos and souvenirs from their vacation.
Expedia found that these methods — which they termed vacation top-up techniques — were more commonly adopted by millennial parents.
This group shared that speaking with their family, including their children, proved just as effective as the use of social media in reconnecting with happy holiday memories.
Based on the study findings, Expedia recommended five ways for Singaporeans to prolong their Vacation State of Mind:
- Speak with friends or family who you’ve been on trips with about your past vacations over video call platforms
- Look at pictures of past vacations on social media
- Plan for your next vacation, save favourite flight and hotel itineraries as you go along
- Wear the clothes that were bought on past vacations while working from home, have themed outfit days
- Look at souvenirs from past trips
Across the Asia-Pacific region, the most effective vacation top-up techniques were engaging in dialogue with others on vacation experiences. Speaking with family (52 per cent), travel companions (50 per cent) and friends (47 per cent) triggered happy memories for many respondents in the region.
In India and Thailand, a preference for listening to music from the vacation was found among 69 per cent and 57 per cent of respondents, respectively. Meanwhile, 63 per cent of the respondents from Malaysia and 56 per cent of those from South Korea said they enjoy browsing through printed photos from their trips.
Lavinia Rajaram, APAC head of communications, Expedia, said: “Fostering a Vacation State of Mind can provide relief from the growing feeling of vacation deprivation and encourage family connections as well as positive emotional responses.”
