‘Weekenditis’ epidemic takes hold of the nation
TFE Hotels to give 52 weekends away in a bid to help Kiwis beat ‘Weekenditis’
Auckland, 26 March 2014 - Kiwis are being told to watch out for ‘Weekenditis’ as new research from TFE Hotels reveals we
are not taking our recommended dose of fun during the weekend; with one in five people calling in sick on a Monday to
recover from the epidemic.
The survey found that 95 per cent of New Zealanders say they look forward to the weekend but are not making enough time
to relax, unwind and more importantly escape from busy schedules.
TFE Hotels’ spokesperson for ‘Great Weekends’ Clarke Gayford said we’ve looked at the weekend habits of Kiwis and realised we’re not quite the leisure-loving nation
we all think we are.
“The truth is Kiwis are spending more time worrying about the pressures of life during weekends. In fact, we’re more
likely to prioritise work and household commitments (over 50%) than living the laid back life of leisure that 85 per
cent of us believe we have,” said Clarke.
Stress, anxiety, tiredness and guilt are common symptoms of ‘Weekenditis’ with nearly a quarter (23%) of New Zealanders
saying these feelings spike during the weekend.
“Gone are the days of the classic Kiwi weekend when we would have grabbed the kids and escaped to the beach. Weekends
now seem to be overcommitted with catching up on odd jobs around the house and even working on weekends. As a result,
Kiwis are suffering from ‘Weekenditis’ with one in five forced to call in sick on a Monday to recover,” Clarke said.
One of the leading causes of ‘Weekenditis’ is that Kiwis are taking too much time out of their weekends to focus on work
related tasks with 60 per cent of Kiwis admitting to checking work emails over the weekend.
Gen Y 18-24 year olds seem to be the worst sufferers from ‘Weekenditis’ with a quarter pulling a Monday sickie once
every two months.
Emma Fraser, Group Director of Marketing for TFE Hotels said: “Nearly 2 million Kiwis would rather be spending their
weekends with family and friends in the great outdoors, not being stuck at home. At TFE Hotels we decided it was time to
find a remedy for ‘Weekenditis’ by encouraging Kiwis to increase their leisure activities and getaway for a ‘Great Weekend.”
TFE Hotels in partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer are inspiring New Zealanders to get away on the weekend by giving
away 52 weekends, including Virgin Australia flights and TFE Hotels’ accommodation, as well as an Ultimate Weekend Away
for one person and 11 friends, valued at $15,000.
Key statistics:
• One in five New Zealanders have called in sick on a Monday
• 95 per cent of New Zealanders say they look forward to the weekend
• 23 per cent of New Zealanders admit to feeling stressed, worried, tired and guilty during the weekend
• 18-24 year olds are most likely to call in sick once every two months (25%)
• 60 per cent of New Zealanders admit to checking work emails over the weekend
• With New Zealand men the main culprits and make up 65 per cent of those who confessed to checking work emails
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About TFE Hotels
A joint venture between Toga Group and Far East Hospitality, TFE Hotels (Toga Far East Hotels) is a leading hotel
operator across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Combining the strength of two international hospitality businesses, TFE Hotels will continue to pursue growth
opportunities, with the potential for greater operational efficiencies worldwide.
A leading accommodation provider, TFE Hotels has a portfolio of over 65 properties across Australia, New Zealand and
Europe. TFE Hotels’ brands include: Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotel,
Travelodge Hotels and Hotel Kurrajong Canberra.
These brands represent over 9,000 apartments and hotel rooms which vary in price, location and design to meet a range of
different accommodation needs. For more information, visit: www.tfehotels.com
ENDS