No trip, no shame: Why skipping summer travel might be smart
Well, you've got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
"People think their vacation dollars won't take them very far," he said.
Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes – and no. There's no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good – and not so good – reasons to cancel this year's summer vacation.
Should air conditioning cost extra? Why some hotels say yes
You don't have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that's nonsense.
"There's nothing wrong with staying home," said Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. "I respect a client who says, 'We just can't afford a trip this year.' I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation."
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances – health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there's that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you're comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I'll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren's quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here's why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It's the busiest travel season ever! How to avoid lines, stay ahead of the crowds
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don't really hold up. Those include:
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that's a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you've already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That's one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially "cancel for any reason" travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I'm having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I'm currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I'm trying to avoid the popular places, and I'm staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
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