Americans Adopt 'Workations': Latest Study Highlights Favorite States and Cities for Combining Vacation and Workplace
In a recent study conducted by AttractionTickets.com, the leading global ticket company, the top U.S. states and cities most focused on combining work and leisure, known as workations, have been revealed. The study, which analysed five years of search interest in working vacations and cross-referenced these with the availability of hotels offering Wi-Fi, business centres, and meeting rooms, has shed light on the growing demand for destinations that support remote work.
The study indicates a nation embracing remote work during holidays, with 47% of Americans feeling guilty if they do not work while on vacation. This trend is particularly prominent among Millennials and Gen Xers, as one in five Americans planned a workation in 2024.
The findings show a strong workation appeal in Southern states, with Georgia and North Carolina tying for first place among states, each scoring 25 out of 30 due to high search interest and strong hotel infrastructure. Texas and Tennessee rank next with scores of 22, followed by Florida and Alabama, tied with 20/30. Michigan, California, and Louisiana also tie with 19/30.
For cities, the most workation-ready metropolitan areas ranked are:
| Metro Area | Score (out of 30) | |------------------|-------------------| | Houston, TX | 21 | | San Antonio, TX | 13 | | Gainesville, FL | 11 (tie) | | Austin, TX | 11 (tie) | | Zanesville, OH | 10 | | Charlotte, NC | 9 (tie) | | Oklahoma City, OK| 9 (tie) |
Notably, Texas holds three of the top metro spots, with Houston leading at 21 out of 30. Zanesville in Ohio ranks fourth, achieving a perfect search volume score despite a lack of workation-friendly hotels.
Social media platforms have amplified the workation trend, with a 75% spike in search interest for working vacations. Charlotte in North Carolina and Oklahoma City appear in the rankings, demonstrating strong regional interest. A notable North-South divide emerges, with Southern states dominating the rankings and Pennsylvania the only Northern state in the top three.
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com, predicts more travel industry companies will offer packages tailored to remote workers and specific hotel offers for workationers. Florida's theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, are popular destinations for balancing work and play, as shown by the high number of people working on laptops at Walt Disney World's Connections Café.
As the workation trend continues to grow, it is clear that Americans are seeking destinations that offer both leisure and the ability to work remotely. The study by AttractionTickets.com provides valuable insights into the states and cities that are best equipped to meet this demand.
[1] Source: AttractionTickets.com 2025 Study on U.S. States and Cities Most Focused on Combining Work and Leisure.
- As the workation trend continues to grow, individuals are increasingly looking towards technology to facilitate this hybrid lifestyle, with a 75% spike in search interest for working vacations on social media platforms.
- In the pursuit of a work-life balance, many Americans are opting for destinations that integrate both lifestyle and technology, such as Florida's theme parks, where work can be done efficiently at venues like Walt Disney World's Connections Café, allowing for enjoyable travel experiences.
