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Economic concerns and rising prices are causing many Americans to reconsider their summer travel plans. While there are valid reasons to cancel a vacation, such as cost, crowds, or safety concerns, there are also invalid reasons like not wanting to leave a pet. Cancellations may lead to disappointment from family or travel companions, as well as potential financial penalties from pre-paid bookings.
Should you cancel? The answer is yes – and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are good – and not so good – reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
Experts say that staying home isn’t wrong. “There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” said Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reasons to postpone or cancel your summer vacation are personal circumstances – health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family might pressure you to go somewhere. If the idea fills you with dread, it’s okay to stay home.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation:
– It’s too expensive: Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places.
– It’s too crowded: Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer.
– It’s too dangerous: Security concerns might make certain destinations unsafe.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
There are also reasons people call off their summer vacation that don’t hold up:
– “I can’t leave my pet alone”: Get a friend to stop by or find a pet-friendly destination.
– “I’m too busy for a vacation”: Everyone needs downtime away from work.
– “I’m not a good traveler”: No one is a perfect traveler.
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for:
1. Fallout from family or travel companions who were looking forward to the trip.
2. Steep cancellation penalties if you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
