AusLeisure

Australians are struggling to escape work or resist heavy use of social media while on annual leave, often to the detriment of relationships with their travelling companions according to the 2012 Stayz Holiday Habits Report.

Commissioned by Australia's leading holiday rental website The Stayz Group, the research found that almost half of Australians on holiday (47%) are phoned with work related questions by colleagues while they are on leave; and almost a quarter (23%) say working causes arguments with partners or friends while on holidays.

The survey of 8,900 Australians, conducted by Nielsen, also noted that more than half of all Australian workers (51%) confess to checking their emails everyday while on holiday and more than a quarter (29%) spend 15 minutes or more scrolling through their inboxes daily while on leave.

In addition, the research found that while on holiday, 42% of Australians spend 15 minutes or more on social media every day with over half (52%) checking their social profile at least once a day.

Commenting on the findings, The Stayz Group Marketing Director Dave Dunstan explains "it is not surprising that almost one in five (18%) Aussies say that they are unable to relax and switch off from work despite being out of the office and on holiday.

"Our research found that many Australians are unable to break away from their daily routine while on leave, and technology, whether it's keeping up with work or sharing experiences on social media, is an important part of holiday life."

Social currency is the new status symbol and is increasingly becoming the preferred platform for holidaying Aussies to share holiday experiences in real time, with 61% uploading holiday photographs on-the-spot, while over one third (36%) use social media to 'check in' to attractions, making sure their peers know their every move.

Technology is so ingrained in the Australian lifestyle that 36% say they can't switch off from it while on holiday and almost a quarter (23%) say they constantly use it while on holidays.

As with work, constant use of technology provides a bug bear for holiday companions with one fifth (20%) irritated by their travelling companions using technology, often at the expense of enjoying regular holiday activities or having a conversation. Additionally, 29% of Australians say that forgetting their mobile phone would make their holiday experience worse, illustrating how central technology is to many Aussie holidaymakers.

Interestingly, almost one in five (17%) travellers go straight to work after their holiday without even stopping by home to freshen up or drop off luggage. This is more common among singles in the 18 to 30 year old age group.

Stayz.com.au, part of The Stayz Group, has the biggest selection of holiday rental properties in Australia with over 35,000 properties to choose from.

For more information, visit www.stayz.com.au 

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