In 2013, Americans left 429 million days of paid time off on the table, the U.S. Travel Association reported last fall. Because it wants workers to use that time traveling the country instead of toiling away at work, it has re-launched its "Travel Effect" campaign with a new name and renewed commitment, it announced this week.
Now called "Project: Time Off," the campaign seeks to prove the personal, business, social, and economic benefits of paid time off -- for employers and employees alike.
"Project: Time Off better aligns our program name with the mission to get Americans out of the office and using their vacation time, however they choose to do so," said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. "Unused days off translate to overworked Americans who are stressed, unhappy, and less productive at home and at work. Changing the mindset and behavior of our overwhelmed culture isn't just a boon for the economy; it's the right thing to do."
According to U.S. Travel, Americans' 429 million unused vacation days in 2013 cost the U.S. economy $160 billion in spending that could have supported 1.2 million jobs in multiple industries, ranging from retail to manufacturing to transportation.
"There are countless industries beyond travel that stand to benefit from Americans taking more of their earned time off," said Project: Time Off Managing Director Gary Oster. "But the greatest beneficiaries are Americans themselves, who will enjoy stronger bonds with their families, greater fulfillment in their work lives, and enhanced health and wellness as a result of time away from the office."
For more information about Project: Time Off, visit its website: ProjectTimeOff.com.
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