From Instagram-worthy turkey dinners to perfectly wrapped presents, hopes for the holidays are high – and a fifth of Americans say holidays at home never meet expectations. According to a survey of 2,000 Americans, 21 percent say their celebrations at home are a disappointment, causing them to consider traveling for the holidays instead.
And they’re not alone: Seventy-one percent of respondents – who celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas and have ever taken a trip – are open to celebrating in an “unconventional” way.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Heathrow Airport, the survey found that despite an openness to uncommon celebrations, it can still be difficult to break tradition.
Seventy-two percent of respondents have a traditional way in which they spend the holidays, and 63 percent of those would feel guilty breaking their traditions.
In addition to guilt, respondents face a variety of other barriers to breaking their holiday traditions, with the fact that they would miss celebrating with family and/or friends at the top of the list (52 percent).
Other respondents said they enjoy seeing family during the holidays (49 percent) and that they would miss eating holiday food (37 percent).
Millennials were the most willing to break tradition: More than any other age group, those aged 23–38 would like to spend the holidays traveling with friends or family.
And for those open to an unconventional celebration, the top destination was found to be Europe (35 percent), followed by The Caribbean (25 percent) and Australia or New Zealand (21 percent).
Interestingly enough, 43 percent believe the holidays are a good time to travel to learn about their family history.
But travel has benefits beyond learning about family and heritage – 55 percent of respondents have made new connections while traveling.
Within that, 42 percent have become friends with someone they met while traveling, 22 percent have made plans to meet again and 11 percent have even gone on a date with a fellow traveler.
And these connections are long-lasting: Sixty-eight percent are still in touch with someone they met while on a trip.
The most common way to make lasting connections was through activities (46 percent), but others met through coffee shops (16 percent) or even at the airport itself (11 percent).
And 80 percent agree: Traveling is a great opportunity to meet new people.
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