The vacation period may seem like a capitalist institution. However, the concept of vacation has existed since ancient times, albeit with many differences from contemporary vacations.
The concept of vacation dates back to Ancient Rome. Romans took periods of rest during which they traveled for pleasure. Evidently, this activity was reserved for the dominant classes, and interestingly, a vacation could last up to two years. Vacations have historically been linked to travel. The custom of traveling for pleasure is, curiously, an activity that has only been practiced for a few centuries in our societies. In the past, those who traveled were monarchs, generally to forge alliances or make 'public relations' visits across kingdoms. The tourism industry as we know it today did not exist until long after the French Revolution. Travelers stayed in the homes of equally wealthy relatives and friends. Inns, the ancestors of hotels, were meant for travelers passing through, usually for work, not for pleasure vacations. However, the slow transformation of these places into sites of pleasure occurred in part, for example, in Europe after the outbreak of the French Revolution, when the monarchy was overthrown and court chefs were forced to offer their culinary services in inns. Thus, these places became not only stops for travelers but true destinations attracting people to savor dishes.
In this way, we see how there is a relationship between restaurants, vacations, and tourism that dates back centuries. However, it was not until the outbreak of the Industrial Revolution and Fordist production that vacations or leisure time had to be institutionalized as a right for workers facing long workdays. The development of roads and transportation significantly contributed to making vacation travel accessible to populations who previously only took days off by staying at home.
The issue of labor legislation regarding the number of vacation days legally granted to workers, in international comparison, always sparks debates about worker productivity. What is certain is that there are increasingly more independent workers and people in the informal labor sector who do not take vacations. Scientific studies on the effects of vacations on health warn that they are necessary not only for mental health but also for preventing diseases associated with elevated cortisol due to stress.
The vacation–pleasure travel pairing is increasingly dissociated, especially among generations that prefer to stay home to restore energy and mental health after work. Contemporary forms of work, including home office and self-employment, have significantly reconfigured what vacations mean for many adults. Some studies have shown that simply planning a vacation lowers stress levels. Conceptualizing vacation as a necessary period for productivity is objectively essential for improving performance. Vacations are thus not only a moment of self-care that is absolutely necessary, but also a necessary time to improve productivity and focus for hyper-stressed workers.
— This article was originally published in Spanish by Liliana Martínez Lomelí. Translation generated with AI from the original text.
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