National Plan for Vacation Day 2022

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Jan. 24, 2022) – Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism promotion office, is joining the U.S. Travel Association for National Plan for Vacation Day this Tuesday, Jan. 25, to encourage workers to use their paid time off in 2022. This year's National Plan for Vacation Day comes at a time when many are feeling extreme levels of burnout yet have resisted taking time off due to health and safety concerns and increased workloads. According to a new study, commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association, American workers left an average of four days (29%) of their paid leave on the table in 2021.

The study also reports that more than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out. Those who plan their paid time off in advance will take more time to travel, but one-quarter (24%) of households don't take this step and 64% reported that they desperately need a vacation.

"After nearly two years of pandemic fatigue, National Plan for Vacation Day is an opportunity to think ahead to brighter days and Minnesota getaways. We should all prioritize time away from work to explore somewhere new, and to reconnect with the people and places we care about most," said Lauren Bennett McGinty, state tourism director, Explore Minnesota. "Minnesota is a fun and affordable four-season destination. From the Northwest Angle over to the North Shore of Lake Superior, to the vibrant Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley, there's always something new to see and do."

Exploreminnesota.com offers endless trip planning resources, things to do and places to go so travelers can recharge every season of the year. Embrace winter with frozen fun at festivals and adrenaline-pumping activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing. Shift your planning to spring and summer with a road trip to Minnesota's award-winning museums, 500 golf courses, 4,000 miles of paved bike trails, resorts, the 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four, or enjoy a shopping extravaganza to celebrate Mall of America's 30th anniversary. Explore Minnesota anticipates a busy summer and fall season and urges travelers to start planning their vacations now, especially when considering Minnesota's great outdoors.

"The research reflects what so many have known for quite a while—that the stresses of the past year can, at least in part, be lifted by thinking about and planning time away to recharge and experience something new," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "There are real benefits to getting vacation plans on the calendar at the start of the year, which include the happiness associated with travel and committing to take off all the time that is earned for a well-deserved break."

Minnesota residents and visitors can learn more at exploreminnesota.com, by calling 888-VISITMN or via live chat to connect with a Minnesota travel expert. Travelers can also plan ahead by ordering the 2022 Minnesota Travel Guide, or by signing up for seasonal reports like Explore Minnesota's weekly winter trail reports. For additional ideas, follow @exploreminnesota on Instagram and Facebook or @exploreminn on Twitter using our popular statewide travel hashtag, #OnlyinMN.

For more information on National #PlanforVacationDay, visit: ustravel.org/events/national-plan-vacation-day.

COVID-19 Information
Visitors who are ready to travel again should plan ahead by taking local health guidelines into consideration as they explore the state, including COVID-19 guidance from the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health, individual communities and businesses. Also see these suggestions on safer ways to explore Minnesota.

About Explore Minnesota
As the state's tourism promotion office, Explore Minnesota works to inspire consumers and facilitate travel to and within Minnesota while pursuing an entrepreneurial approach and leveraging the state's tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. Tourism is a key sector of the state's economy, historically generating $1.0 billion in state sales tax on $16.6 billion in leisure and hospitality sales and employing nearly 275,000 workers in Minnesota's leisure and hospitality businesses. Visit exploreminnesota.com, and share your sights with @exploreminn on Twitter, or @exploreminnesota on Instagram and Facebook, using #OnlyinMN.

About U.S. Travel Association
U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. In 2020, travel generated $1.5 trillion in economic output and supported 11 million jobs, a drastic decline from pre-pandemic figures. U.S. Travel's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

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