MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vacationitis is creating high levels of stress and claiming countless hours of unused vacation time as it spreads among workers incapable of taking long- or short-term breaks, Hilton Hotels & Resorts reports today. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide is activating its Hilton Urgent Vacation Care Center, www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com, an interactive website featuring personal diagnoses of vacation needs and customized prescriptions urging people to take breaks, weekend getaways and longer vacations. Workers are advised to seek aid immediately if they show signs of 14 distinct symptoms of Vacationitis, including “Straight to Voicemailaria,” a chronic avoidance of client calls, or “Replyallgia,” the result of a flood of “reply all” emails. Through February 28, Hilton is offering immediate relief by giving www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com visitors a chance to win one of 15 Hilton weekend getaways*.
“We all know that quick breaks or long-haul vacations help working professionals feel recharged and refreshed, but in today’s fast-paced work environment too many people are neglecting the time they need to unplug, recharge and relax,” said Andrew Flack, vice president, global brand marketing, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “The traditional work week and typical annual or seasonal vacations have evolved as people are working harder than ever before. We’re helping our guests make vacations a priority and to maximize the value of their personal time.”
Hilton Urgent Vacation Care Center is the latest undertaking by Hilton Hotels & Resorts to champion vacations and leisure travel while understanding the needs and expectations of travelers around the world. The brand’s “2013 Hilton U.K. Vacation Deficit Report” released today of 2,000 workers in the U.K. finds that workers enjoy just eight out of their average 24 days of annual leave because the rest of the time is taken up with “domestic admin.” Findings also reveal that more than half of the British workforce have not taken a holiday in at least a year, more than half continue to check work emails and take calls while on annual leave, and 5 percent have not had a holiday in 10 years or more.
To build public awareness of Vacationitis, Onion Labs, the creative services division of leading American news satire organization The Onion, is depicting common symptoms through humorous cartoon memes created exclusively for Hilton. Visitors to www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com can download the memes and easily share them with friends they suspect may suffer from Vacationitis.
“Some of our most popular satirical editorial content in The Onion surrounds the workplace and everyday stresses, so it’s been exciting to work with Hilton Hotels & Resorts to illustrate diagnoses of vacation blues around the world,” said Grant Jones, partner, Onion Labs. “The cartoon memes aim to inspire workers to fill their ‘prescriptions’ with a much-needed break from the office.”
Hilton Urgent Vacation Care Center also features a Global Vacation Alert Level, a real-time interactive map showing varying vacation need levels by country based on collective personal diagnoses completed through the site. Other components include a recovery room dedicated to special travel offers, an overview of leisure-related survey results spanning from 1989 to the present and the latest leisure news from Hilton.
Hilton is giving travelers added incentive to make the most of their weekends all year through the Any Weekend, Anywhere sale. Guests can save up to 40 percent on weekend stays completed through December 31, 2013, at participating hotels and resorts. Search availability at www.hilton.com/weekend**.
Visit Hilton Urgent Vacation Care Center at www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.facebook.com/hilton and follow #Vacationitis on Twitter or the official Hilton channel at www.twitter.com/hiltonhotels. Media can download images and access more information at http://news.hilton.com.
* No Purchase Necessary to Enter or Win. Must be a resident of Canada, China, Costa Rica, Fiji, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, U.K. and the U.S., 21 or older. Starts 12:00:01 a.m. ET 01/14/2013. Ends 11:59:59 p.m. ET 02/28/2013. Fifteen (15) total winners each receive two (2) Be My Guest Certificates each valid for one night of free lodging (one (1) standard room and corresponding taxes) at any Hilton Hotels & Resorts property worldwide. The approximate retail value (ARV) of each prize is $380.00 USD. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Cure Vacationitis With Hilton sponsored by Hilton Worldwide. Void where prohibited. Additional terms, conditions & restrictions apply. See complete Official Rules at www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com.
** To participate in the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale and for full Terms and Conditions, visit at www.hilton.com/weekend. Exact discounts will vary by brand, hotel and region.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 550 hotels in 80 countries and the brand remains synonymous with "hotel." Access the latest Hilton news at http://news.hilton.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.