LAS VEGAS, Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond
Resorts International® has thrown down
the gauntlet to Americans. The challenge? Take a
vacation! Diamond Resorts, a leading vacation ownership
company offering Vacations for Life® - with the help of research
and a team of experts, has created a campaign designed to raise
awareness among consumers and their employers about the
significance of taking regular vacations.
Research – including a Nielsen study that Diamond Resorts
commissioned – shows that vacations are linked to our health,
happiness and productivity. Yet more than 40 percent of
Americans on average are leaving seven or more days of paid
vacation on the table every year. The result? Nearly ONE
billion vacation days go unused every year.
The consequences of this are staggering – a workforce that is
less productive, less satisfied in their jobs and relationships,
and prone to stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure,
obesity and heart attacks. This long list of ailments is caused by
an American society that has devalued the importance of
downtime.
Diamond Resorts is working with Leigh
Vinocur, MD and recognized "time off expert," John de Graaf, in an effort designed to not just
raise awareness of this issue, but to urge consumers to embrace the
concept of Stay Vacationed.™ even when they
aren't on vacation.
"The excitement we feel during the planning stages of a
vacation, and the anticipation experienced while looking forward to
the time away can be just as important mentally and physically as
the actual vacation," said Dr. Vinocur. "Consider it a mental
getaway, if you will. The vacation, of course, is beneficial
in many ways. Being unplugged, spending time with family, friends
or just by yourself does wonders for the soul." Diamond
Resorts advises that the vacation shouldn't end there. The
enjoyment of sharing photos, stories and experiences with others,
the memories that are made during the trip, the feeling that you
can't wait to do it again, all are part of the cycle – and the idea
we should all Stay Vacationed.™
The Stay Vacationed.™ campaign will be
rolled out over the next year and is targeted at both consumers and
employers. "It's not enough that companies offer vacation
time anymore," said John de Graaf,
founder of the Take Back Your Time organization. "If there
isn't a culture of support and encouragement, fear will keep folks
from taking time away from the office. We've become a society
that admires the hardest working, who also are sleep deprived,
unhealthy and unhappy."
In addition, Diamond Resorts will provide online resources where
research, opinions, blog posts, helpful tips and other information
relevant to Stay Vacationed.ä will reside. This spring,
Diamond Resorts will sponsor a national summit, bringing together
the most enlightened thinkers in this space with a goal to connect
employers, employees, non-profits and academics who have the
capacity to not only change the national dialogue but the nation's
behavior. As Dr. Vinocur said, "this is a fixable
epidemic."
About Diamond Resorts International®
Diamond Resorts International®, with its network of
more than 300 vacation destinations located in 33 countries
throughout the continental United
States, Hawaii,
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South
America, Central America,
Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, provides guests with choices and
flexibility as they design their dream vacation, whether they're
traveling an hour away or around the world. Our relaxing vacations
have the power to give guests an increased sense of happiness and
satisfaction in their lives, with truly memorable and meaningful
experiences that let them Stay Vacationed.™
Diamond Resorts International® manages vacation
ownership resorts and sells vacation ownership points that provide
members and owners with Vacations for Life® through 93
managed resorts, 210 affiliated properties and cruise itineraries.
To learn more, visit www.diamondresorts.com.
Contact:
Liz Feldman
Hillman Communications
732-387-0515
lfeldman@hillmanpr.com
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SOURCE Diamond Resorts International