VIRNA 2018 April-June

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VIEWPOINT APRIL – JU 2018 VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW
BY
Craig M. Nash
CHAIRMAN,
PRESIDENT, AND CEO
ILG
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In 2011, I received some bad numbers from my
medical workup. That was my wake-up call to
make a few critical life changes. Switching to a
whole-foods, vegetarian diet and incorporating
regular workouts into my schedule were two steps
that helped me get back on track. Over the past
seven years, I’ve noticeably increased my stamina,
recharged my energy — and brought those num-
bers down to much healthier levels.
I’m still working on the life-balance thing. It’s not
easy to juggle work responsibilities and mindfulness
practices. But while you won’t find me meditating
at my desk, I do find that long walks near the shore
bring some Zen tranquility whenever I can get away
for a weekend at the beach.
I know I’m not the only one who’s seeking a
better health report card. In the past few years, the
quest for holistic well-being — physical, mental, and
emotional — has crept into all facets of life.
At ILG, wellness in the workplace is something
we’ve promoted for years, offering access to health
checks on an annual basis, frequent internal com-
munications about the topic, and programs that
encourage walking and exercise.
We’ve always provided a generous number of
vacation days per year, and, most recently, we’re
taking steps to encourage our associates to use
those vacation days instead of passing them up
from year to year.
Good for You
Here’s why: Vacations are good for your health! But
you already know this. Several studies conclude that
taking time off helps prevent or reduce the effects of
ailments from heart disease to stress to poor sleep.
Our industry association, the American Resort
Development Association, shares such news on its
consumer website,
And yet, not taking vacations is pervasive
in the U.S. One study notes that 54 percent of
U.S. employees leave vacation days on the table.
In a recent issue of this magazine, we reported
on the number of unused vacation days in 2016:
662 million.
Many of us won’t be surprised by this — when
it comes to foregoing vacation time, busy profes-
sionals are the worst offenders, and I confess I’m
among them.
Yet there’s good news on the vacation hori-
zon: From 2015 to 2016, there was a slight uptick
in the number of vacation days per year taken by
employees, from 16.2 to 16.8. That extra half-day
may suggest a climb toward the long-term average
of 20.3 days, reached between 1976 and 2000.
What’s the reason for the uptick? The broader
trend toward an interest in wellness has bled into
the travel industry. There is an increasingpopularity
in travel that includes health components as
part of the experience. According to the Global
Wellness Institute, the wellness travel market was
US$563 billion in 2015, up from US$489 in 2013.
And the forecast is that the number will grow to
US$808 billion by 2020.
Taking Wellness on Vacation
Today’s health-minded traveler is seeking wellness
amenities beyond fitness rooms and spas. And
many vacation ownership resorts are respond-
ing: with a wider range of workout classes; guided
runs; access to bicycles; even making athletic wear
available for guest use. Restaurants are incorporat-
ing fresh, organic, and superfood ingredients into
their menus; and spas offer treatments above and
beyond the familiar, from hot stone massages to
acupuncture to reflexology.
Indeed, the signs are clear that travelers are
packing up their wellness habits and taking them on
vacation. That employees are beginning to use more
of their vacation time; that vacationers are seeking
more on-site fitness-oriented activities; that guests
are expecting in-room amenities that promote better
sleep; that diners are demanding healthier menus:
All of this means opportunity for our industry. By
responding to the demand, we’re not only giving
members, owners, and guests the ability to maintain
their positive behaviors, we’re putting ourselves on
the path to a healthier industry and promoting our
own well-being.
Now, I guess it’s time to walk the talk and start
planning a vacation!
Wellness Check