Expedia Vacation Deprivation Study – Singaporeans Face Burnout

Expedia‘s 2021 Vacation Deprivation Study has revealed that vacation deprivation sentiments in Singapore have almost returned to pre-COVID levels, with 69% of Singaporeans surveyed feeling vacation-deprived, down from 71% in 2020. Singapore used to be the most vacation deprived country in the world in 2020 but has dropped to third place in 2021.

The Expedia study has shown that four in five Singapore working adults felt burnt out in 2021. The pandemic stress situation was more severe among respondents holding first responder roles, with 90% identifying with feelings of burnout in the past year. They also found it difficult to unplug from work when on leave because of flexible work and work-from-home arrangements.

The 2021 edition polled 14,500 adults aged 18 and above across 16 countries, including 500 from Singapore, in December 2021 to understand the vacation deprivation and travel-related sentiments of consumers around the world.

Singaporeans took fewer vacation days last year with only 12 compared to 15 days the year before. The majority did not make use of the leave to rest. 66% spent their vacation time on their side hustles, 57% brought their work laptops during their vacation and 51% joined video conference calls frequently while on vacation.

94% said that they value vacation time more than ever before. 97% felt that taking regular vacations is important for general health and well-being. This In turn helps them to have a more positive attitude (92%) and causes them to feel more motivated at work (90%).

Singaporeans don’t get the complete time-off that they deserve to refresh. 80% currently leave their mobile numbers in their out-of-office emails or give them to co-workers or clients when they go on vacation. 54% felt guilty about having their co-workers cover for them while on vacation and 48% felt the need to apologise for taking time out for planned vacations.

24% of Singaporeans have booked their vacation days. Over half plan to make their travel plans in the later part of this year. Singapore has established over 30 Vaccinated Travel Lanes to international destinations. Take the time to plan your travel so you can make the most of your days off.