Visit Greater St. Cloud is excited to announce support for National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD), the annual day for Americans to plan their vacation for the entire year at the start of the year, on January 26.
Though many Americans are not ready or able to take a trip just yet, there is a wealth of information that says simply planning a vacation can increase happiness. In fact, 97% of survey respondents say having a trip planned makes them happier—and that’s exactly what we will encourage Americans to do this year.
NPVD is joining forces with the Let’s Go There initiative to encourage Americans to still plan—or even book—future vacations, or to simply keep their travel flame lit and dream of their next getaway. Let’s Go There is led by a coalition of businesses and organizations, including many of the most recognizable U.S. brands from both within and outside the travel sector. Visit Greater St. Cloud has been active in supporting the Let’s Go There initiative by providing tools for travelers to plan vacations with confidence and a wealth of knowledge on safe (and fun!) things to do in the St. Cloud Area. The straightforward mission of Let’s Go There is perfectly aligned with NPVD: As you plan your future trips, the travel industry is ready to safely welcome you back—when you are ready.
In 2020, the constraints of the pandemic resulted in Americans using, on average, just 6.8 earned vacation days for travel. Survey data shows that 84% of Americans are excited to plan a vacation in the next six months, indicating an impending surge in travel demand once conditions improve. With so many great travel deals to be had, savvy vacation planners who are able to book future trips now would be wise to take advantage of these offers—before demand picks up. Contact Visit Greater St. Cloud to talk about the perfect hotels to stay at, what activities will best fit you and your travel companions, where to get the most up-to-date information on traveling safely, and much more.
Importantly, Visit Greater St. Cloud is encouraging Americans to continue to adhere to healthy travel practices—whether one is planning a vacation in the short term or for later this year. U.S. Travel Association’s Travel Confidently toolkit has a wealth of resources and guidance to encourage safe and healthy travel, which includes wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance when possible and staying home if feeling sick.
This year’s National Plan for Vacation Day is taking place amid challenging times, but we can still look forward to—and plan for—brighter days. On January 26 and beyond, use the hashtag #PlanForVacation and tell us where you’re dreaming of traveling to next.
Please click here to learn more about National Plan for Vacation Day, and click here to learn more about the Let’s Go There initiative.