Is your New Year’s resolution to travel more? You’re not alone. National Plan for Vacation Day! The last Tuesday in January is nationally recognized as National Vacation Day! So get out your calendar and schedule time for your big getaway. To help you get started on your planning, we’ve created a complimentary Vacation Guide that offers ideas for lodging, dining, excursions, and all the memorable activities that you want to include in your vacation to Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. Our Lowcountry vacation guide will help you map out a great trip itinerary!
Why National Plan for Travel Day Is Important
Whether you’re an essential worker who is tired from long hours or a remote worker looking for a change of scenery, a vacation will be beneficial to your mental health. So often we take care of everyone else but don't schedule time for ourselves, or recreation. That’s why this special day encourages Americans to plan for a well-deserved getaway.
Americans universally say that vacation days are important to them, yet more than half of Americans aren’t using their paid time off.
Research from Project: Time Off found that American workers failed to use 768 million days of PTO in 2018 — that’s a 9% increase from the year before!
How do you avoid becoming a part of this statistic? The solution is much easier than you may realize. Read on to learn how to improve your mental health and increase your happiness and productivity by celebrating National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January.
National Plan for Vacation Day: The Secret to Achieving Your Travel Goals
The number one way to maximize your vacation time is simple: plan ahead. While it may seem like there is never enough time in the day, National Plan for Vacation Day celebrated annually on the last Tuesday of January gives you the chance to map out the trips you want to take for the remainder of the year.
Planning is an important step in making vacation possible. According to Project: Time Off, a majority (52%) of workers who set aside time each year to plan for travel take all their time off compared to just 40% of non-planners. Planners also tend to take longer vacations. While 75% of planners take a week or more off at a time, non-planners take significantly fewer days. In addition to taking more days off, planning might even allow you to find special deals for flights ahead of time.
The benefits of planning extend beyond days spent away from the office for rest and rejuvenation. Planners report greater happiness than non-planners with their relationships, health, well-being, company, and overall quality of life. They experienced lower levels of stress and burnout and improved productivity upon returning to the workplace.
Charleston Is the Best Place to Vacation
The Charleston area is a fantastic destination for your next vacation because there are so many incredible outdoor activity opportunities, which makes for easy social distancing. Plus, you can reserve a vacation rental on Kiawah Island or Seabrook Island so that you can avoid any crowded urban areas. Staying in a vacation rental also relieves you from the interactions that you would have at an inn or a hotel.
Kiawah and Seabrook Island vacation rentals are all privately owned, and offer a variety of sizes and settings! The islands are waiting for you and your family to come and enjoy a relaxing and socially distanced getaway!
3 Steps for Planning Your Vacation
What are you waiting for? It’s time to take back your calendar and put vacation at the top of your list of priorities. Prioritizing your vacation time can be achieved in three simple steps:
1. Determine your PTO and identify the vacation policies at your workplace.
The earlier you do this, the better. Talk to your team about your travel plans as soon as possible so that you can block out your calendar ahead of time. They will appreciate that you have given plenty of notice. But, if there’s anything that still needs to be done while you’re away, you can use the excellent WiFi that’s available from your vacation rental!
2. Get to dreaming! How do you want to spend your time off this year?
Many people only plan for scheduled events such as weddings, graduations, and holidays. However, it’s equally important to plan the trips you want to take. Are you in need of a relaxing beach getaway? Perhaps you’re looking for an opportunity to travel with close friends, family, or your significant other. Consider your personal travel goals now so you can make them a reality in the new year!
3. Plan out your days with a vacation planning tool.
Project: Time Off’s vacation planning tool makes it easy to organize your getaway. Determine your desired vacation dates, then share your plans with your colleagues, friends, spouse — everyone!
Be Proactive. Plan Your Annual Vacation Now!
Don’t let your hard-earned vacation days go to waste this year. Put the fear of missing out behind you and turn your bucket list into a to-do list. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing getaway, a romantic couple’s retreat, or an unforgettable family vacation, your ideal destination awaits.
Consider a getaway to Kiawah or Seabrook Island where you'll discover miles of pristine beaches, award-winning golf courses, resort-style amenities, and fabulous shopping and dining. What are you waiting for?