The uncertain economy, natural disasters, and overtures concerns are urging people to cancel their summer plans. And while some might find that a shame, staying at home shouldn’t make anyone feel bad.
While taking time off work and organising a (family) holiday during July or August has become quite the tradition for many over the last few decades, things might be about to change. According to a recent survey of 2,000 consumers by LendingTree, not only do three out of four Americans worry that the current economy might impact their summer holidays, but one in two are actually cutting back on their scheduled summer trip. While 35% are cancelling or postponing their plans, 23% are changing their destination.
“Prices are still high for so many things, and many Americans are concerned that the implementation of tariffs will only make things worse. Those concerns are spurring many people to proceed with caution, delaying bigger expenses such as vacations until things seem more steady,” says Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst.
As holidays are meant to bring travellers some much-needed relaxation, it does make sense that many are currently opting out for economic reasons. When constantly having to worry about finances and the impact that a trip might have on your daily life, well beyond the holiday, there is little time left to enjoy a well-deserved break.
Finances are, however, not the only reason why an increasing number of people are cancelling their summer holiday or choosing to travel at another time. As heatwaves and wildfires are hitting some of the most popular holiday destinations across the globe, many travellers are either afraid in advance their trip will be impacted by such a natural disaster or they already know their chosen location was affected by a previous event.
Finally, people who are not bound to school holidays are choosing more and more often to travel at other, less-busy times of year. Overtourism has been causing ever more issues lately, and travellers are growing increasingly aware of the fact that travelling during the low season might give them a better chance at fully experiencing their destination.
What to do instead?
While no one should feel bad about cancelling their summer holiday, everyone should, however, be aware of the fact that taking a break every now and then is a necessity, especially given the uncertain times we live in. Taking time off work, even if it’s just for a weekend, gives the body and mind some much-needed time to calm down. If a summer holiday isn’t an option at the moment, whatever the reason, we’ve gathered some alternative options to keep in mind.
Even one day could already make a big difference: a hike through the local forest, a pamper day at the spa, or a relaxed cooking session at home: relaxation can take all kinds of forms.
Plan a staycation: switching out an expensive all-in holiday abroad for a long weekend in a cabin a couple of hours away might mean a summer holiday could still be possible after all. While an exotic summer trip might sound appealing, a staycation can actually allow us to (re)discover our own region and to spend less time on the road, leaving more time to enjoy that trip.
Travel off-season: July and August might be some of the most popular times to go and explore the world, but they’re also some of the busiest. This means trips tend to be more expensive, while the crowds can make it hard to enjoy the destination. Moreover, most locals are happier to see tourists outside of the high season. Unless taking time off during school holidays is a must, a trip during the off-season might be more reasonable and more enjoyable.
Spend a holiday at home: if taking time off work is not the issue, but finding the budget to go elsewhere is, a holiday can just as well be spent at home. It is very rare to find the opportunity to explore our own neighbourhood and to enjoy that carefully-decorated home we’ve worked so hard for, so this might be the ideal time to do so. If the budget can be stretched a little, eating out every now and then might be a welcome luxury, as might be booking a professional cleaning session to make sure everything is nice and tidy before embarking on that literal staycation.
