Latest News
HomeColumnsReports & SurveysExpedia Vacation Deprivation Report 2015: Singapore is second most vacation deprived nation in Asia Pacific
Report

Expedia Vacation Deprivation Report 2015: Singapore is second most vacation deprived nation in Asia Pacific

The survey highlights that Singapore is the second most vacation deprived nation in Asia Pacific and third globally, with 70.8% of Singaporeans saying they feel very or somewhat vacation deprived.

Expedia, one of the world’s largest full service online travel sites, released the results of the 2015 Vacation Deprivation study, an annual study of vacation habits across multiple countries and continents. 
 
The survey highlights that Singapore is the second most vacation deprived nation in Asia Pacific and third globally, with 70.8% of Singaporeans saying they feel very or somewhat vacation deprived. Respondents attributed their vacation deprivation to not getting enough vacation days (67%).
 
Mr. Jonty Neal, CEO, AirAsiaExpedia said: “Regular vacations are always important in maintaining balance for general health (93%), staying connected with friends and family (91%) as well as keeping the spark going with one’s significant other (94.9%). Singaporeans do recognise and derive happiness from going on vacations (80.1%). Despite the internal motivations associated with vacationing, Singaporeans seem unable to take their holidays, perhaps due to work commitments (33.2%), an objective to carry forward leave days for a longer time out (29.7%) as well as scheduling difficulties with family and friends (23.1%).
 
Nearly 50% of respondents shared that their bosses are supportive of them taking vacations. However, it might come as no surprise about the practicality of Singaporeans trumping the need for holidays, with nearly seven out of 10 respondents sharing they would rather take a pay raise than have more vacation days.” 
 
DETAILED SURVEY FINDINGS: 356 respondents from Singapore
 
What does the Singaporean traveller look like?
– Employment level: PMET (48.1%), experienced hires (40.6%), Entry level (11.2%)
– 88.8% are employed full time
– On average, Singaporeans work 43.8 hours a week; with 52.6% working between 41 – 50 hours a week
– 94.3% own a smartphone; 84.8% own a laptop and 62.4% own both a smartphone and a tablet 
 
Why do we travel?
– Business Travel (1 or more trips a year): Hong Kong (56.7%), Malaysia (59.6%), Thailand (55%), Singapore (44.9%)
– Leisure Travel (1 or more trips a year): Hong Kong (92.4%), Malaysia (91.2%), Thailand (92.5%), Singapore (90.4%)
– Singaporeans travel for short vacation trips and long weekends (60.8%) or one long vacation (24.1%). We are similar to Malaysia (66.1% and 19.5% respectively) and Thailand (56.8% and 22.3% respectively)
– Singaporeans know how to optimise their vacation timing. They start relaxing the moment they go on vacation (52.1%) similar to Malaysians (52.6%) and Thais (55.9%)
– How happy does each of the following make you?
   o Being on vacation: Malaysia (70.5%), Singapore (80.1%), Thailand (75.6%)
   o Finding money you thought you lost or misplaced: Malaysia (43.1%), Singapore (47.1%), Thailand (35.6%)
   o Being told you look younger than you are: Malaysia (22.3%), Singapore (20.7%), Thailand (25.0%)
 
Reasons for No Vacation
– Bank/carry them over to next year for a longer vacation: Malaysia (26%), Singapore (29.7%), Thailand (25.7%)
– Work schedule does not allow for vacation/not enough staff to cover: Malaysia (38.2%), Singapore (33.2%), Thailand (37.3%)
– Difficult to coordinate time that works for me and my spouse/partner/family member/friend’s schedule: Malaysia (29.9%), Singapore (23.1%), Thailand (29.7%)
– Lack of money/cannot afford to take holidays/vacation: Malaysia (32.9%), Singapore (20.0%), Thailand (17.8%)
– Cancelled vacation due to work: Malaysia (56.6%), Singapore (45.1%), Thailand (72.6%)
 
What would Singaporeans give up for an extra day of vacation?
– Singaporeans would give up junk food (49.6%) for an extra day of vacation whereas Malaysians would sacrifice watching television (50.9%) and Thais would give up drinking alcohol (34.9%)
 
We want more vacation days for:
– Taking longer vacations: Malaysia (53.5%), Singapore (63.3%), Thailand (31.5%)
– Travelling to new places (rather than favorite/usual ones): Malaysia (63.5%), Singapore (52.1%), Thailand (66.5%)
– More vacations: Malaysia (52.6%), Singapore (52.9%), Thailand (28.0%)
 
Post vacation we are:
– Happier: Malaysia (89.7%), Singapore (89.5%), Thailand (91.0%)
– Better rested: Malaysia (88.0%), Singapore (86.2%), Thailand (88.7%)
– Get closer to their partner or family members: Malaysia (91.4%), Singapore (89.9%), Thailand (89.0%)
– More focused at work: Malaysia (83.7%), Singapore (80.8%), Thailand (81.6%)
 
Methodology
The study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar, a globally integrated strategic insights consulting firm. This survey was conducted online from August 25 to September 17, 2015 across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific using the Kantar-owned GMI (Global Market Insite) and Lightspeed Research amalgamated group of panels. The study was conducted among 7,855 employed adults aged 18 years of age and older across 24 countries.

 

Editors - Travel Media Applications | Website | + Articles

TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.

19/03/2024
18/03/2024
15/03/2024
14/03/2024
13/03/2024
12/03/2024