Hilton Hotels & Resorts Announces International Use It or Lose It Week to Combat Vacationitis

 

 

 

 

Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – By Ashraf  El gedawy – MCLEAN Va. – With vacation days expiring for many workers at the end of the year, Hilton Hotels & Resorts announces "International Use It or Lose It Week," a holiday campaign from November 18 – 22, 2013, that encourages working professionals everywhere to use their hard-earned vacation days and enjoy leisure time with friends and family this holiday season. The campaign is part of a larger effort by Hilton Worldwide’s flagship brand to combat "Vacationitis," defined as an "epidemic creating high levels of stress and claiming countless hours of unused vacation time as it spreads among employees who have not taken enough time off this year." Patients can seek emergency care, including the chance to win one of 15 weekend getaways, at www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com.

 

 

"A vacation is as important as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise," said Joe Robinson, a stress management and work-life balance consultant and author of Work to Live. "An annual vacation can cut the risk of heart attack in men by 30 percent1 and in women who take two vacations a year by 50 percent2. No health food can give you that benefit."

 

To reinforce the "Use It or Lose It" message and encourage workers to take time off, Hilton today unveils the updated Urgent Vacation Care Center with new quiz questions for diagnosing Vacationitis; a countdown clock reminding people that their vacation days are expiring; and humorous materials to download and share, including "out of office" email messages, a vacation approval letter and the 14 symptoms of Vacationitis. Upon completing the quiz, visitors will also be entered into a sweepstakes where 15 winners will receive two complimentary nights at any Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the world.* The interactive site, featuring personal diagnoses of vacation needs and customized prescriptions, launched in January 2013 to urge workers to take breaks, weekend getaways and longer vacations.

 

Robinson continued: "Vacations also cure burnout, the last stage of chronic stress. They are a crucial balancing tool, not just for your health, but also for your work. They increase performance and reaction times. It turns out humans are like cell phones – we need to be recharged, too."

 

With leisure packages offered by Hilton, it is easier than ever to use vacation days before the end of the year in destinations ranging from Seychelles to New York and British Virgin Islands to Europe, among many others. The "Instant Getaway" package includes a drink coupon upon arrival, in-room breakfast for two and late check-out.** Travelers looking for a more resort-style getaway can book the "Leisure Escapes" offer at participating properties to receive a $50 on-property credit to play golf, enjoy lunch by the pool, unwind at the spa and more.

 

"Today’s group of working professionals are putting in more hours than before and neglecting their much needed vacation time to relax and recharge," said Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "Our Vacationitis campaign champions leisure travel and we’re encouraging workers to take advantage of their unused vacation days before they expire."

 

Hilton also tackles Vacationitis in the United Kingdom as a recent Hilton Hotels & Resorts survey of 2,000 British workers, conducted by OnePoll in November 2013, states that 4.5 million British employees are leaving more than six days of annual vacation on the table each year. While the average Brit is entitled to 23 days of leave each year, 40 percent rarely, or never, use their full allocation and three out of 10 workers spend their vacations worrying about their job. During "International Use It or Lose It Week," Hilton Hotels & Resorts ambassadors will be positioned at five commuter rail stations across London distributing branded Oyster card holders to remind consumers to visit the Hilton Urgent Vacation Care Center website and use their hard-earned vacation time.