Vacation Transformation Unveiled: Our latest survey suggests that individuals significantly alter their personalities while on holiday
A survey by Faye Travel Insurance reveals that many Americans transform into a different person while on vacation, adopting a freer, more spontaneous, and adventurous persona[2]. This phenomenon, often referred to as a travel alter ego, contrasts sharply with the structured, routine-bound 9-to-5 personas that Americans typically maintain during their work lives[1].
The survey findings suggest that 45% of travelers try activities they wouldn't usually, and 25% of them say their travel alter ego made them more confident or outgoing[2]. Furthermore, 40% report feeling more confident, 47% indulge more in food and drink, and 44% feel more spontaneous[2].
According to popular travel bloggers like Adventurous Kate and Jones Around the World, this travel alter ego often embodies traits such as an adventurer, social butterfly, explorer, and relaxed self[1]. The adventurer embraces risk, spontaneity, and new experiences, while the social butterfly is more outgoing and open to strangers. The explorer prioritizes curiosity and discovery, and the relaxed self adopts a slower pace and less stress compared to office pressures.
The 9-to-5 self is typically characterized by professionalism, adherence to social norms, productivity focus, and often restrained expression of personality. In contrast, the travel self tends to reject these constraints, emphasizing personal freedom and emotional openness.
The survey also found that 22% of travelers say their travel alter ego lasts up to a week, while just 3% say it lasts longer than a month[2]. Reasons why the travel alter ego can't stick around include work responsibilities (34%), routine/structure (34%), financial constraints (27%), family dynamics (24%), and social expectations (21%)[2].
Despite the temporary nature of the travel alter ego, it has a lasting impact on many travelers. 24% say it helped them re-evaluate their priorities, 21% started a new hobby or passion, and 21% made new lifelong friends[2]. Furthermore, 21% say it helped them embrace spontaneity[2].
The survey also found that 49% of travelers admit to fibbing while on vacation, with the most common lies told being about things done in the past (33%), age (29%), where they're from (29%), job (29%), and name (26%)[2].
In summary, Americans frequently experience a distinct “vacation persona” that privileges exploration, relaxation, and social connection over the structured, rule-bound, and productivity-focused identity they maintain during work. This dual identity allows them to balance the demands of daily life with the liberating experience of travel[2][1].
References
[1] Adventurous Kate. (2021). The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel. Retrieved 24 February 2023, from https://adventurouskate.com/solo-female-travel/
[2] Faye Travel Insurance. (2020). The Psychology of Travel: How Vacation Changes Us. Retrieved 24 February 2023, from https://www.fayetravelinsurance.com/blog/the-psychology-of-travel-how-vacation-changes-us
Americans often adopt a more adventurous, outgoing, and relaxed persona, known as their travel alter ego, during vacation, as found by a survey conducted by Faye Travel Insurance. This alter ego, inspired by traits such as an adventurer, social butterfly, explorer, and relaxed self, encourages travelers to indulge in new experiences, social connections, and food and drink, leading to a significant impact on their lifestyle and priorities.
