Here's a new travel buzzword: "oblication."
Urban Dictionary defines this as "taking valuable vacation time and dollars for obligatory family or friend visits." That sounds like something I've done myself.
A survey released by Travelocity reveals 93% of travellers use vacation time for obligatory engagements, with 14% saying a visit to the in-laws is the most dreaded vacation obligation.
Weddings, graduations, anniversaries, reunions and visiting family come in a close second, accounting for 9% of respondents' votes.
"The results of the survey show that while lots of travellers look forward to their family time, others would much rather hit the beach," said Brian Simpson, General Manager of Travelocity.ca.
Some travellers admit they don't tell family members they'll be in the area to avoid using vacation time for family functions, while 48% stay in a hotel when visiting family to gain some space.
Forty-one per cent of respondents said they do not resent using vacation time for family functions, while an angry 10% said they always resent using their hard earned vacation time to attend cousin Joe's wedding.
-- NICOLE FEENSTRA IS CANOE.CA'S TRAVEL EDITOR
