• Passionate business owners took a mere five days off work last year, compared to the average 17 days for 9-to-5 employees
• Personal trainers, plumbers and make-up artists revealed as some of the worst culprits at taking a holiday
• TUI reveals the nations entrepreneurs are in a 'Downtime Deficit', with 97% of business owners still working on holiday vs switching off
• Nominations are being taken by TUI for local entrepreneurs and small business owners who are in need of a well-deserved break

Wednesday 8 May 2024: A new national study has revealed entrepreneurs take the least holiday amongst Brits, averaging a mere five days per year, compared to their 9-to-5 counterparts, who soak up on average 17-days off annually. From small business owners to self-employed side-hustlers, the occupations topping the list for the least holiday taken last year included personal trainers (35%), plumbers (22%), and make-up artists (20%). However, this comes as no surprise given half (48%) of budding entrepreneurs and small business owners blame their own passion for prioritising their business as the prime culprit for their inability to disconnect.

The research, conducted by TUI1, highlights there is a 'Downtime Deficit' among a growing number of local entrepreneurs and small business owners, who ignore the temptations of tropical sun and embrace the hustle, doubling down on work. The boom in entrepreneurial mindset doesn't just apply to those who are self-employed, with 48% of Brits having one or more 'side hustles' linking to their passions in 20242.

When these trailblazers eventually find the time to escape the daily grind, they still struggle to switch off, with an astonishing 97% of these go-getters admitting to working during their supposed downtime, with one in 12 (8%) even claiming they would never put away their laptop during their holidays. What's more, even when they have booked in time to relax, a staggering two thirds (65%) have had to cancel their well-deserved breaks due to work commitments that just won't wait.

With another bank holiday on the way, an anticipated third (29%) of entrepreneurs will be working through, TUI has partnered with Dilly Carter, author and entrepreneur, best known for Decluttering Dollie – a decluttering business that has brought her to present BBC's Sort Your Life Out and garnered her almost 400,000 followers across social media. Dilly knows all too well the sacrifice that comes because of the passion for business, but insists holidays are crucial to our wellbeing, but also our success.

Dilly Carter, Founder of Declutter Dollies Ltd says: “I may be a master of finding tranquillity within my home through decluttering, but decluttering my mind is a different story and has taken me a lot more practice. Growing a business and raising my 10-year-old daughter are two passion projects I wouldn't change for the world, but taking a holiday has certainly taken a back seat in the early years when all I could think about was getting Declutter Dollies off the ground. I wish I could tell my younger self to take that trip away, put my phone on airplane mode and completely unplug from the daily grind, as we all know you come back clearer and even more focused to succeed.”

There's been a growing trend for a positive work-life balance among the younger generations for years, however almost half (48%) of entrepreneurs who truly love what they do and want their business to grow confess they are not very good at taking downtime and finding that balance.

Tom, a builder from Buckinghamshire who struggles to take time away from his construction business said: “I haven't had a two-week holiday in about ten years. If we do go away, we try and just go over the weekend, so we don't interrupt my working week. It's hard for me to take a holiday as there is always work to be done, and the minute I head off on holiday, that work could go to another builder”

Those that find it the most difficult to switch off from work and take downtime include childminders (67%), personal trainers (52%) and chefs who own their own restaurant (55%). Despite this, almost half (48%) of these relentless entrepreneurs agree that taking regular breaks or jetting off on holiday does wonders for their mental well-being, and 44% agree their output at work is better after they've indulged in some well-deserved R&R. Zavia, personal trainer from Manchester who finds it hard to avoid checking in on clients while on holiday said: “I'm passionate about what I do, so I am there for my clients when they wake up through to when they go to bed. They pay me for a service, and if I'm going on holiday and taking time off, I almost feel like I'm robbing them.”

Andrew Flintham, Managing Director, TUI UK&I commented: “It's great to see such passion and drive in our nation. At TUI, we believe everyone, including those hustling and growing a business, have definitely earned a break – whether that's resting on the beach with emails on do not disturb, or discovering the depths of a new city. We are so happy to be able to gift deserving entrepreneurs a trip away that's well-overdue for many, so we encourage everyone to nominate someone they feel is going above and beyond – whether they are growing a business from the ground up or hustling on the side.”

TUI want to celebrate entrepreneurs' passion and dedication to their work by giving them a well-deserved holiday, or three! You can nominate an entrepreneur you believe is in need of some R&R via www.tui.co.uk/content/downtime-deficit, entries close 8th June 2024 with holidays redeemable over three years.

The top professions that took only 1-2 days annual leave in 2023 -

1. Personal Trainers (35%)
2. Photographer / videographer (27%)
3. Designers (25%)
4. Plumbers (22%)
5. Makeup artists (20%)
6. Electricians (19%)
7. Hairdressers (18%)
8. Builders and Chefs (16%)
9. Farmers, Beauticians and Shop Keepers (15%)

END

Notes to editors

1 Research results based on a study of 1,000 UK entrepreneurs, aged 18+, and 1,249 UK Adults (split between 998 PAYE employees across all professions/company sizes and 251 small business owners) conducted by Markettiers, January 2024 and March 2024

2Further research based on a study of 2,006 UK people conducted by Censuswide  January 2024. Source: https://www.finder.com/uk/business-banking/side-hustle-statistics

About TUI UK & Ireland:

TUI, the leading global travel and leisure company is the business behind First Choice, Marella Cruises and Crystal Ski Holidays brands, as well as TUI Cities, TUI Lakes & Mountains, TUI Tours, TUI River Cruises, and its leisure hotel brand TUI BLUE. TUI also provides thousands of experiences in 100 countries through TUI Musement, one of the world's leading tours and activities digital platforms. 

TUI UK & Ireland has a team of over 11,000 employees and its full holiday programme serves millions of customers each year. Across the world they have over 4,500 destination team employees taking care of guests on their holidays. 

Its airline, TUI Airways, operates to over 79 destinations in 33 countries with 68 aircraft from 20 UK airports.  

TUI's retail estate is made up of 315 retail stores including TUI superstores where TUI's travel experts take care of all customers' needs.