India is the fourth most vacation-deprived country, according to an online survey conducted by travel portal Expedia. The average number of vacation days for Indians dropped by five days to 20 this year, the survey said.

The top reasons for Indians not utilising their holidays were to accumulate vacation days (37 per cent) and not being able to co-ordinate schedules with their travel partners.

Overall trend

The overall trend has shifted from ‘not being able to plan’ to ‘saving or accumulating vacation days in exchange for money or future use’ this year.

The survey was conducted across five major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore) in India among more than 600 people.

This year, Delhiites looked at saving vacation days either for money in exchange or to avail them in future , while last year the top reasons were being fretful of their boss’s disapproval on taking vacations, or fear of important decision being taken in their absence.

Mumbaikars fell prey to lack of planning or saving vacation days that can be taken in future. In addition to these reasons, South Indians also fear important work decisions will be made in their absence, and also strongly feel that work is their life and it is hard to get away.

The survey also highlighted that 55 per cent of Indians checked-in or connected to work while on vacation (slightly higher than last year’s 53 per cent), ranking second globally after Brazil.

India has the second-highest number of bosses that approve of vacations at 76 per cent (Brazil ranks first), after moving up by 4 per cent from last year. Delhi bosses are the most supportive of their employees taking leave at 81 per cent, followed by Mumbai and South India at 74 per cent.

> nivedita.ganguly@thehindu.co.in

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