Solo Vacations Preferred Over Holiday Festivities, Survey Finds

The holidays are typically associated with festive celebrations and quality time spent with family. However, recent research indicates that a significant portion of Americans, over two in five (45 percent), would consider opting for a solo vacation instead of partaking in traditional holiday festivities this season. This was revealed in a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Apple Vacations.

The survey, which involved 2,000 Americans, dove into their travel plans for the upcoming holiday season. Their findings revealed that 63 percent of respondents plan to travel this year, with 72 percent embarking on trips with their children, 66 percent with their partners, and 52 percent with other family members. Interestingly, 52 percent of holiday travelers express wanting to spend the holidays differently.

77 percent of participants admit that, come holiday time, they will be in need of a vacation. For 27 percent of respondents, the term "vacation" does not necessarily involve traveling to be with family. The reasons for seeking a break include a desire to distance oneself from work (53 percent), partners (49 percent), and even children (46 percent) during the holiday season.

In light of these findings, the study reveals that, on average, respondents aim to limit their holiday vacation to six days. This year, 58 percent of participants expressed a reluctance to stay at home, with 16 percent actively seeking a vacation or opting to avoid someone's residence entirely.

However, this shift in holiday plans is not without its challenges. Unlike the previous year of the study, where the main concern related to holiday travel was crowds (42 percent). This year they saw more apprehensions about lost luggage (49 percent). Delayed flights are also a more significant worry this season (41 percent), along with concerns about overpacking (31 percent) and forgetting essential items at home (46 percent).

Check out the complete study here.