The study, which looks into digital holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores which nations find it most difficult to achieve that ever-important work/life balance and switch off when holidaying.
Thailand travellers have been named as the nation least prepared to give up their mobile devices when going on holiday, according to a new global survey from Hotels.com. For a huge 85% of them, the thought of going on holiday without their beloved gadgets would bring them out in a cold sweat.
The study, which looks into digital holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores which nations find it most difficult to achieve that ever-important work/life balance and switch off when holidaying. Closely behind Thailand was Korea in second place with 78% of the nation finding it difficult to be without their device, and Japan in third place with 69%.
Comparatively, the UK came in joint 15th place with Germany, with 36% of respondents being reluctant to fob off their phone while on holiday.
When it comes to Britons, the study revealed that one in three (33%) regret spending too much time on their mobile device once they’ve returned to home soil. No wonder then, as one in two (46%) admit to checking work e-mails while away and eight in 10 (83%) concede that they try to use their holiday to forget about work. But being unable to disconnect isn’t just about being connected to work, as having access to social media, wherever they are, is very important to four in 10 (36%) Brits.
Countries least willing to ditch their devices while on holiday
|
RANK |
COUNTRY |
% VOTES |
RANK |
COUNTRY |
% VOTES |
|
1 |
THAILAND |
85% |
=15 |
GERMANY |
36% |
|
2 |
KOREA |
78% |
=15 |
UK |
36% |
|
3 |
JAPAN |
69% |
17 |
US |
35% |
|
4 |
CHINA |
67% |
18 |
COLOMBIA |
33% |
|
5 |
SINGAPORE |
60% |
19 |
NEW ZEALAND |
30% |
|
=6 |
TAIWAN |
53% |
=20 |
DENMARK |
29% |
|
=6 |
NORWAY |
53% |
=20 |
AUSTRALIA |
29% |
|
8 |
BRAZIL |
52% |
=20 |
NETHERLANDS |
29% |
|
9 |
IRELAND |
51% |
23 |
MEXICO |
28% |
|
10 |
FINLAND |
50% |
24 |
CANADA |
27% |
|
11 |
HONG KONG |
46% |
=25 |
SWEDEN |
23% |
|
=12 |
FRANCE |
40% |
=25 |
SPAIN |
23% |
|
=12 |
RUSSIA |
40% |
27 |
ARGENTINA |
22% |
|
14 |
ITALY |
39% |
28 |
INDIA |
20% |
The Hotels.com study also revealed the UK’s top ten most important travel items. While the mobile phone still came in relatively high in fifth position, it was trumped by the ever-important passport, which came in first place, proving that for Brits foreign fancies still trump domestic dalliances when it comes to holidaying. While sunscreen and travel insurance came in second and third place respectively, the gym kit came in last at 10, illustrating a lackadaisical attitude to exercise from Brits, when on holiday.
Top ten most important travel items for Britons:
Rank Travel Item
|
RANK |
TRAVEL ITEM |
|
1 |
Passport/ Travel documents |
|
2 |
Smartphone |
|
3 |
Travel insurance |
|
4 |
Travel guide |
|
5 |
Sunscreen |
|
6 |
Sunglasses |
|
7 |
Swimwear |
|
8 |
Razor |
|
9 |
Gym Kit |
|
10 |
Deodorant |
When it comes to which countries are most likely to exaggerate their holiday experiences, China came top of the pile with 67% of respondents likely to lie to friends and family when returning home. Close behind in second place came Germany with 64%, and Korea in third place with just under half (48%) admitting they would embellish a story to impress others. The UK came in 13th place with just under a third (31%) of Brits admitting to fibbing about their adventures.
Countries most likely to exaggerate their holiday experience
|
RANK |
COUNTRY |
% VOTES |
RANK |
COUNTRY |
% VOTES |
|
1 |
CHINA |
67% |
=15 |
FINLAND |
29% |
|
2 |
GERMANY |
64% |
=15 |
COLOMBIA |
29% |
|
3 |
KOREA |
48% |
17 |
NORWAY |
28% |
|
4 |
SPAIN |
47% |
18 |
FRANCE |
25% |
|
5 |
THAILAND |
46% |
=19 |
US |
24% |
|
6 |
TAIWAN |
44% |
=19 |
ITALY |
24% |
|
7 |
INDIA |
40% |
=21 |
NEW ZEALAND |
20% |
|
8 |
RUSSIA |
37% |
=21 |
CANADA |
20% |
Zoe Chan of Hotels.com said, “Going away on holiday should be a time to take stock and unwind, whether you’re lying on a beach in Lombok or snowboarding down a mountain inSouth Korea. Although smartphones do have their plus points while on leave from work, such as using them to check the weather or view maps, it seems travellers can afford to switch off a little more and really disconnect. Not only does this allow them to truly take a mental break from work, it also enables them to achieve that much needed work-life balance.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
