‘Plan your Vacation Day’ takes place on the last Tuesday in January and while it is very much an American initiative, we can see the value in the day, and the statistics surrounding the scheme. For example, as part of the Plan your Vacation research, 97% of survey respondents said that having a trip planned makes them happier.
While much of the world continues to face rising case numbers and travel restrictions, Plan your Vacation Day is a chance to do what is safe and productive: plan.
The day encourages holidaymakers to plan—or even book—future holidays, or to simply keep their travel flame alive and think about the next trip. As you plan your future trips, the travel industry is ready to safely welcome you back—when you’re ready.
Even just dreaming about your next getaway can do wonders for your mental health. In the face of so much uncertainty, and with more than 63% of those surveyed saying they desperately need a holiday, Plan your Vacation Day is the perfect opportunity for people to renew their love of travel and to look ahead to better days.
There is a wealth of information that says simply planning a holiday can increase happiness. Further, survey data shows that 84% of people are excited to plan a holiday in the next six months, indicating an impending surge in travel demand once conditions improve.
By committing to planning your 2021 holidays, you can enjoy the many benefits of taking a break while giving yourself something to look forward to.
Destination Spain
While flights to and from Spain have been reduced, or in the case of the UK all but suspended, many popular holiday destinations here hope to welcome back tourists as soon as possible.
Just this week, Spain’s Minister for Tourism, Reyes Maroto, insisted that the country would begin to open up from the spring.
“Our priority in 2021 is to reactivate tourism and resume safe mobility on a global scale as soon as possible,” she said.
“We hope that at the end of spring and especially during the summer, international travel will resume and travellers will choose Spain as their destination.”
Director of Leddy Homes, Paul Leddy said, “We’d love to see people coming back to Spain this spring. Bars, restaurants and businesses here are geared up for healthy travel practices. Local business owners are really keen to encourage safe and healthy travel and to see tourists back here again. There is such a wealth of benefits to holidaying here – the weather, the prices, the vast range of amazing restaurants and bars, the wonderful amenities such as beaches and parks, and of course, all that nature has to offer in terms of walking, hiking and cycling. We have it all, and we’re ready to share it.”
Paul continued, “Many of our clients share their time between Spain and their home country, usually either Ireland or the UK. And many of them told us they felt safer here in Spain than at home. Masks are worn, hand sanitisers are provided and used, and with the benefit of being able to eat outside, alfresco dining at your favourite local restaurant can be a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Holiday rentals
Destinations like the southern Costa Blanca are seeing a trend towards holiday rentals with private pools. The private rental business is a huge sector here – in Torrevieja alone (so, not even including the lucrative Orihuela Costa) revenue generated in online holiday rentals between February 2019 and February 2020 was €25.8 million. Booking a holiday villa with a private pool means that holidaymakers can enjoy all the benefits of a sunshine, poolside holiday, while in a safe and sanitised space. Choosing a holiday villa on the southern Costa Blanca also means the added benefit of a multitude of blue flag beaches and award-winning golf courses in easy reach, not to mention the tremendous gastronomic offering here. Investors looking for a buy to let investment will find a great many opportunities in the area, such as this 4 bedroom villa in Playa Flamenca with a private pool, this 4 bedroom finca in Los Montesinos with a beautiful pool and chill out area, or this beautiful beachside apartment in La Mata with an amazing community pool, gardens and playground.