Forget fame and fortune, well-being is topping the to-do lists for global travelers in our “always-on” culture, according to a global well-being survey conducted by Westin Hotels & Resorts. A whopping 70% of Indian survey respondents consider maintaining a balanced sense of well-being as a status symbol, outranking professional accomplishment (51%), being rich and famous (42%) and a healthy relationship (41%).

How important is well-being in today’s stress-ridden society? More than 77% respondents believe that work-related stress can cloud their judgment for everyday life. 39% would participate in a digital detox by limiting technology access (computer, tablet, phone etc.), while one in every three respondents would turn down a pay raise to improve their overall well-being! A quarter of the respondents would even be willing to give up alcohol to achieve a balanced sense of well-being.

The Westin brand’s global well-being study was unveiled on the heels of the launch of the Westin Well-Being Movement, a multi-million dollar initiative designed to enhance the well-being of guests and associates around the world.   The survey sample consisted of more than 6,000 frequent global travelers from the U.S., China, Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and includes insights from 1534 respondents from India.

Well-being… In Exchange for What?

Just how valuable is well-being? The results show that people are willing to go to great lengths to improve their overall well-being.

• A majority (68%) would rather be fit than famous.
• One in every three respondents (33%) would turn down a pay raise if it meant improving overall well-being.
• Gone are the days of self-medicating at happy hour after a stressful work day.  More than 25%of Indian travelers say they would give up alcohol to improve their overall well-being.
• Assume the off position: 39% said a digital detox (limiting use of technology) would help improve their well-being.

Well-being Takes a Hit on the Road

Not surprisingly, competing priorities between work and personal life are one of the biggest barriers to well-being for a majority (54%) of Indian travelers.

• An enormous figure (75%)are concerned about finding healthy food options while traveling away from home and one in every two (50%)consider it a very important criteria when it comes to deciding on a hotel destination.
• More than half (53%) have cancelled their vacation due to a work related obligation.
• When traveling, majority respondents would pay a premium to get a room on a quiet floor to get a good night's sleep (54%), to be able to stay fit (52%), or for fresh, locally sourced food options (45%).

Survey Says: Stressed Out

Survey results also show that stress continues to be an enemy of achieving a balanced sense of well-being. Virtually no one escaped work stress over the past year with only 4% saying their stress levels decreased. In fact, 35% say their work stress levels have significantly increased over the past year. According to the survey, travelers continue to look to contribute to their well-being through a variety of activities to help them unwind after a stressful workday such as..

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News