TripAdvisor Survey Reveals More than Half of Respondents Regularly Exercise on Vacation But Over a Third Often Gain Weight on Leisure Trips
NEWTON, Mass., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the results of its health and fitness on vacation survey of more than 1,000 U.S. travelers. Fifty-two percent of respondents always or often exercise on vacation, and 65 percent maintain that healthy eating is important to them on leisure trips. While the majority of travelers are exercising on leisure trips, this may help compensate for hefty vacation menus, as 34 percent frequently gain weight on leisure trips. Eighty-one percent confess they are more likely to overindulge on food on vacation than while at home, while 55 percent are more likely to overindulge on alcohol.
Vacation Workouts
- On a typical one week vacation, 30 percent of U.S. travelers exercise three to four times, 21 percent exercise once or twice and 12 percent exercise once a day.
- 18 percent exercise more on vacation than when at home, while 25 percent exercise about the same amount.
- Nearly one quarter of travelers (23 percent) say fitness facilities are frequently a consideration when choosing their vacation accommodations.
Healthy Retreats
- Travelers’ main motivation for exercising on vacation is to maintain their fitness regimen (21 percent), while a further 20 percent do so to avoid gaining weight.
- 12 percent have taken a vacation dedicated to improving their health, while 13 percent plan to do so in the coming 12 months.
- The destination travelers would most like to visit for a healthy vacation is Sedona, Arizona.
Food for Thought: Female Travelers More Diet-Conscious than Men
| Men | Women | ||
| Have dieted in preparation for a vacation | 47% | 61% | |
| Have started a post-vacation diet | 48% | 54% | |
| Healthy eating is important on vacation | 59% | 69% | |
| Often or always eat healthily on vacation | 64% | 75% | |
| Often feel guilty after a vacation for over-indulging on food | 14% | 20% | |
Guilty Pleasures and Vacation Vices
- 57 percent confess to eating less healthy foods more frequently on vacation than they do at home.
- Travelers’ top vacation food vices:
- Ice cream – 29 percent
- Fried seafood – 10 percent
- Cake – 7 percent
- One in four (26 percent) confess they often plan to exercise on vacation, but don’t follow through on those intentions.
- Regardless of their activity levels, respondents carry little guilt in their baggage: 79 percent rarely or never feel badly after a vacation for not exercising enough.
Top Physical Activities on Vacation, According to Travelers:
- Walking – 90 percent
- Swimming – 44 percent
- Hiking – 33 percent
- Using fitness equipment – 31 percent
- Biking – 17 percent
“While relaxation and delicious cuisine are undoubtedly key ingredients for an enjoyable trip, a significant number of Americans strive to find a balance between healthy pursuits and pleasure-seeking on their travels,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor.
