Go ahead and make your 2023 trip plans on National Plan Your Vacation Day

The last Tuesday in January is National Plan for Vacation Day and VisitNorman locks arms with other destination market organizations across the U.S. to encourage making those trip proposals.

“VisitNorman is joining thousands of organizations across the country to celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day and encourage Americans to take some much-needed time off,” said Dan Schemm, VisitNorman executive director. “By committing to planning on January 31, Americans can all enjoy the many benefits of taking a break while giving themselves something to look forward to — and Norman has some great events, festivals and attractions to help you plan your perfect getaway at our lodging establishments."

Whether you are thinking of attending your first Oklahoma Sooner football game and stretching it into a long weekend; a spring or summer weekend trip to attend Medieval Fair(March 31-April 2), Norman Music Festival (April 27-29), the return of May Fair Arts Festival on Campus Corner (May 20-21) and/or Jazz in June (June 15-17); enjoy the water at Lake Thunderbird, Oklahoma's largest urban state park, and/or an Eat-Stay-and-Play trip, planning a trip to Norman should be on your to-do list today.

National Plan for Vacation Day, powered by U.S. Travel Association, encourages Americans to plan their vacation days for the entire year at the start of the year. After nearly three years of pandemic stress and fatigue, NPVD is an opportunity for Americans to look ahead to brighter days and make plans for getaways or vacations over the coming months. Planning is the key to taking time off and traveling.

A study from Destination Analysts in 2022, commissioned by U.S. Travel Association, reveals that Americans who plan out their paid time off take more time off to travel, but one-quarter (24 percent) of American households do not take this simple step. National Plan for Vacation Day comes at a time when American workers report feeling extreme levels of burnout. According to Destination Analysts, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13 percent are extremely burned out.

“The research reflects what so many have known for quite a while — that the stresses of the past year can, at least in part,be lifted by thinking about and planning time away to recharge and experience something new,” U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow said in 2022. “There are real benefits to getting vacation plans on the calendar at the start of the year which include the happiness associated with travel and committing to take off all the time that is earned for a well-deserved break.”

Data also shows that while vacation is essential to Americans’ mental health and well-being, it is also a crucial benefit for American workers. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. workers agree that their ability to take vacations is an important factor in keeping them in the workforce. In fact, paid time off is the second most important employee benefit an employer could offer after health insurance benefits.

“Americans say it is important to use their paid time off to travel. Vacation gives us a chance to recharge and reconnect with family and friends, as well as explore more of our beautiful, diverse country,” Dow said.

We look forward to welcoming you to Norman!