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Indonesians' fear of planning risks vacation let downs
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Among the reasons Indonesians are not maximizing annual leave include challenging work schedules and responsibilities. (Shutterstock/File)
W
hile most Indonesians long for a vacation, a recent survey has found that some may be wasting precious days off merely because of a lack of planning.
Marcus Ingleby, senior brand manager of California-based winery Beringer Vineyards, said a regional survey commissioned by the company in July found that 1 in 2 Indonesians on average were wasting four days of their annual leave. While the vast majority, 99 percent, claim to 'long' for a vacation and over half, 68 percent, consider themselves well-traveled, the survey revealed that as many as 90 percent believe they could have maximized their annual leave if only they were better at travel planning.
"We had 21 percent of people telling us they feared planning. And we think it's because they actually fear making a mistake," Ingleby told reporters during a recent media dinner in Jakarta.
The survey aimed to look at attitudes toward vacation planning and involved 5,000 respondents across five countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
"We had 13 percent of people saying they hated planning. 46 percent of people said they do planning but it feels like they're at work," Ingleby said, referring to the figures on Indonesia.
Ingleby said Beringer, which is the oldest vineyard in Napa Valley in California, United States, launched a regional campaign on TripAdvisor based on the survey, aiming to inspire travel planning through social gatherings.
Initiated in September, the campaign is set to run until May 2018.
"Planning can actually be an enjoyable experience over a glass of wine, with the people that you love, talking about the amazing things that you've got ahead," Ingleby said.
Read also: Drinking wine a form of exercise, study says
The idea is in line with the brand's view on optimism, he added, as well as something worth fighting for.
Established in 1876, the longest operating vineyard in Napa Valley was founded by German brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer. The company has gone on to create 141 consecutive vintages.
Among the reasons Indonesians are not maximizing their annual leave include challenging work schedules and responsibilities, which accounts for 84 percent of the time.
"So there's a real kind of irony here; one of the things you work for, apart from money and security, is your annual leave, and yet it's work that's actually stopping you from making the most of it," Ingleby said.
Well over half of all Indonesians surveyed, 61 percent, find themselves rolling over annual leave to the next financial year, or losing it completely, the survey found.
If getting annual leave approved is hard, planing advice includes applying at least six to nine months ahead of time.
Travel plans do not have to be finalized then, but it’s highly likely that leave requests would be signed off quickly as it’s unlikely to clash with others and it’s typically too far ahead for work clashes to be predicted.
Handyrna Sulistiadi, brand manager for Beringer Indonesia, said the campaign partnership also aimed to help people enjoy planning and make the most of their annual leave.
"When it comes to a social gathering or event, it's very natural to talk about your previous trips and to start discussing your next holiday destination among your friends," Handyrna said. (kes)
