National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD) is Tuesday, January 30, 2024. It takes place annually on the last Tuesday in January as a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the entire year at the start of the year. The early bird gets to pack their bags and fly away to a little fun and relaxation – and the early bird has their choice of flights, accommodations, and amenities that are often sold out later in the year.

With travel surpassing pre-pandemic levels, 2024 is shaping up to be a strong year for travel. This year, travel trends span the globe including cruising, beach getaways, international travel, celebration travel (all of life’s milestones with family and friends), multi-generational travel, year-round travel to Europe, and YOLO (You Only Live Once) Bucket List Trips such as African safaris, world cruises, and adventure travel. With demand on the rise, NPVD is an opportunity for Americans to look ahead and make plans for getaways or vacations over the coming months before inventory runs out. Planning is the key to taking time off and traveling.

With winter weather in Western and Central New York, it’s easy for area residents to dream about a getaway, but NPVD is a reminder to make that a reality before time slips away. Studies show that each year, Americans leave more than 600 million vacation days unused. Workaholic attitudes are keeping workers at their desks rather than the beach. But the truth is workers earn those vacation days, and they’re entitled to use them.

When it comes to taking a vacation, planners are more likely to have a satisfying vacation – they’re more likely to take all their vacation time in a given work year and take more extended vacations than non-planners. They are also happier with their jobs, relationships, and health. So now is the time to get planning, and AAA travel advisors are on standby to assist in making those vacation dreams a reality. 

“AAA Western and Central New York is celebrating National Plan for Vacation Day to encourage everyone to take some much-needed time off,” said Carol DiOrio, Vice President of Travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “By committing to planning on January 30, travelers can enjoy the many benefits of taking a break while giving themselves something to look forward to in 2024. And AAA’s professional travel advisors will be with them every step of the way — before, during, and after their trip.”

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% 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. 

AAA recommends working with a travel advisor to help plan a vacation complete with travel insurance. To get started and to learn more, visit AAA.com/Travel.