Forget Cars, Couture, Fame or Fortune, Westin Hotels & Resorts Survey Proves That Well-Being is Today's New Status Symbol
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Forget Cars, Couture, Fame or Fortune, Westin Hotels & Resorts Survey Proves That Well-Being is Today's New Status Symbol

Global Study Says 62% consider maintaining a balanced sense of well-being as a status symbol

Quest for Well-Being Trumps Booze and Sex - Nearly 40% of Global Respondents are willing to give up alcohol for a year if it improved their overall well-being and 24% would give up sex.

STAMFORD, Conn. - April 9, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Forget fame and fortune, well-being is topping to-do lists for global travelers in our "always-on" culture, according to a global well-being survey conducted by Westin Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:HOT). Some 62% of survey respondents consider maintaining a balanced sense of well-being as a status symbol, outranking professional accomplishment (47%) and a healthy relationship (48%). How important is well-being in today's stress-ridden society? With 64% of global respondents stating that their stress levels have increased over the last few years, 39% would give up alcohol and almost a quarter of global respondents and nearly half of U.S. respondents would give up sex to improve their overall 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.

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 global travelers.

  • More than one-third (35%) of respondents said the inability to find time a hindrance in their quest for well-being.
  • Twenty-nine percent find it difficult to maintain their well-being while traveling.

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.

  • Nearly one in five respondents (18%) would turn down a pay raise if it meant improving overall well-being.
  • Not Tonight Dear: Where as 24% of global travelers say they would be willing to give up sex for a year if it helped their state of well-being and that number nearly doubles for U.S. respondents. In the U.S. nearly half of those surveyed, (49%), would give up sex for a year to improve their well-being.
  • Gone are the days of self-medicating at happy hour after a stressful work day. More than a third of global travelers (39%) say they would give up alcohol to improve their overall well-being.
  • Assume the off position: 38% said a digital detox (spending less time looking at a screen) would help improve their well-being.

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, 30% 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:

  • Sleep trumps sex when it comes to unwinding after a stressful workday and 40% say they would prefer sleep over sex (34%).
  • Just as many people de-stress with exercise (38%) as comfort food (38%).
  • More than a third (34%) chooses meditation/yoga as a way to unwind after a stressful workday.

"The results of this survey made one thing crystal clear: citizens of the globe are ultra-aware of their state of well-being and are interested in what they can do to maintain it and improve their health and balance - even when faced with accelerated stress," said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "Westin is proud to be the global leader in hospitality well-being, and we are excited to utilize these results to better meet the needs of our guests through our brand-new Westin Well-being Movement."

Westin Hotels recently announced the global launch of the Westin Well-being Movement, an ambitious $15 million brand-wide campaign that will introduce a string of innovative partnerships and programs across Westin's six brand pillars: Feel Well, Work Well, Move Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well and Play Well.

For more information on the Westin Well-being Movement and Westin Hotels, please visit www.Westin.com, the brand's Facebook page or follow @Westin on Twitter.

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).

Study Methodology

This study is based on a survey conducted by STUDYLOGIC LLC via telephone of 6,402 respondents who travel away from home for business at least once per year from 5 different countries: the United States, the United Arab Emirates, India, Mexico, and China. This summary report is based on the responses of 1100 respondents from Mexico. Summary charts showing the breakdown of travel frequency, gender, age, income, marital status, and child status are included at the end of this summary report. The survey consisted of twenty-six questions including identifiers. Interviews were conducted between February 6th and February 19th, 2014. The survey averaged 25 minutes in length and contains a margin of error of +/-3%.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services – like the Heavenly Bed®, delicious SuperFoodsRx® and WestinWORKOUT® studio – have been designed with the guests' well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 190 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,200 properties in nearly 100 countries and 181,400 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140409005185/en/

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Media Contacts:

Nadeen Ayala
Westin Hotels & Resorts
203-351-2542
Nadeen.ayala@starwoodhotels.com

Jaclyn Sisbarro
Taylor PR
212-714-5734
JSisbarro@TaylorStrategy.com

 

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