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The rise of remote work is reshaping how Americans approach holiday travel, with nearly half of employed travelers planning to work during their vacations this season, and spend longer away, according to a Deloitte survey.
Dubbed "laptop luggers," 49% of working travelers intend to balance holiday with work, a significant jump from 34% last year. The trend makes the case for the benefits of remote working, as employees extend trips or take journeys they might otherwise forgo.
The flexibility that remote work offers has been a priority for job seekers since the pandemic, with 51% of surveyed workers citing it as a top reason to pursue remote roles, up from 40.8% in early 2022, according to ZipRecruiter. Julia Pollak, chief economist at the job search platform, emphasized how the remote work era has fundamentally shifted worker expectations.
"The value to US workers of being able to work from anywhere has clearly grown over the course of the great remote work experiment," she noted.
Traveling this holiday season
High earners and millennials are leading holiday travel spending. Among households earning $100,000 or more, 52% report being able to "easily afford" holiday travel, according to Morning Consult, a survey research firm. Millennials, defined as those born between 1980 and 1996, are planning the most trips, with an average budget of $3,927 for 2.6 trips over the season, the Deloitte study found.
"High-income consumers are less price-sensitive," said Stacy Francis, CEO of Francis Financial, explaining how wealthier groups are less constrained by rising travel costs compared to lower-income households.
Adapting to rising costs
Despite rising expenses, 83% of holiday travelers are finding ways to save, according to Bankrate. Common strategies include driving instead of flying, picking off-peak travel days, and leveraging credit card rewards.
"Most people are still traveling, they're just adjusting how they do it to cut costs," said Ted Rossman, an industry analyst at Bankrate.
Meanwhile, the survey revealed that nearly half of respondents are scaling back on other expenses, and 49% are hunting for discounts and deals.
Working over the holidays
The Deloitte survey found younger generations, particularly Gen Zers and high-income earners, are most likely to work during vacations, at 58% and 52%, respectively.
Employees are advised to check workplace policies, however, before setting up a remote office while traveling.
"Some companies restrict employees from working outside their home state or country without prior authorization," warned Pollak. "Violating these policies could lead to access issues or even employment termination."
Reliable internet and power are also critical for those planning to work on holiday. "If you're on the hook for work, ensure your destination supports your ability to stay connected and productive," she advised.
Why travel remains a priority
The pandemic spurred a surge in spending on experiences, including travel, as people sought to make up for lost time. Even years later, travel continues to be a top priority for many Americans.
"People are placing value and making room in their budgets for travel," said Eileen Crowley of Deloitte, highlighting its enduring appeal.
With remote work making it possible to combine business with pleasure, airport queues are likely to see both laptop cases and luggage in tow.
