‘Skillcations’ blur vacation and work as employees chase growth

NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — Professionals are forgoing traditional restful getaways for “skillcations,” using paid time off to learn new abilities. 

According to Forbes, this trend, which blends leisure with professional development, is sparking debate over its benefits for employee rejuvenation versus its potential to blur work-life boundaries.

Skillcations blend travel with career growth

Bryan Robinson, an author and contributor to Forbes, writes that skillcations represent a fundamental shift in how employees view their time off, moving beyond pure relaxation to encompass both personal and professional growth.

David Dominguez, Vice President of People at Smallpdf, notes that it lies between personal growth and productivity culture, particularly among high performers and remote workers who see it as a method of maximizing the use of downtime. 

“The ‘skillcation’ trend mixes the leisure of vacations with professional pivot points,” he said.

Statistics indicate the increasing popularity of this movement, with 39% of American tourists today preferring action-oriented adventures, such as photography tours or yoga camps. 

Robinson notes that the main point is that the growth itself will be a form of rejuvenation, incorporating curiosity and imagination, and leaving travelers more inspired to return to their workplace. 

Laura Lindsay, Global Travel Trends Expert at Skyscanner, notes that 42% of Americans prioritize booking events that cater to their niche interests over vacations. 

“Whether the skill you want to develop is beauty, culinary, sport, literature, or art/dance-focused, the point is to pursue your passions and let that guide your travel inspiration in the coming year,” she explained.

“Many travelers feel renewed from the sense of accomplishment at learning a new skill.”

Mental health benefits of skillcations

The report notes that skillcations offer a unique and potent form of psychological recharge by engaging the mind and body in novel challenges. Marais Bester, a Senior Consultant at SHL, explains that renewal often comes from doing something different, not from doing nothing. 

“Work and life have become so intertwined that many professionals want time away that still feels purposeful,” she said.

“Skillcations offer that blend. Psychologically, they meet key human needs for autonomy, mastery and connection. When people learn something new in an inspiring environment, it recharges their motivation and helps them see their work from a fresh perspective.”

Robinson writes that according to industry professionals, experience in mastery is acquired by acquiring a new skill under new conditions. This sense of success and development is refreshing and gives people the strength and drive even after the trip is finished, reminding them that they can and can change. This kind of travel is perceived as a direct adversary to the sense of burnout and overwork. 

Skillcations and work-life balance concerns

One of the most significant benefits is that skillcations may blur the lines between work and rest, potentially leading to cognitive exhaustion rather than physical fatigue.

Dominguez warns that the need to make a vacation worthwhile can ruin it, especially when travelers feel they must prove something to themselves or their peers. 

“Without boundaries, ‘skillcations’ can lead to cognitive fatigue rather than recharge. Instead of burning out in the office, you’re burning out in Bali,” he warns.

This conflict raises one of the key questions concerning whether corporate responsibility and individual choice play a significant role in upskilling. 

Lana Peters, Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at Klaar, suggests that “Workers should instead use earned vacation time to relax, unwind, and disconnect. Doing this can help them bring their best selves to work and reduce the likelihood that they’ll experience burnout.” She admits that skillcations can enhance career readiness, but emphasizes that upskilling must be the core of the company’s training and development programs. 

This “skillcation” trend presents a fundamental tension for the future of work as it empowers employee development. It recharges motivation through mastery, yet it simultaneously risks institutionalizing the erosion of work-life boundaries, placing the onus of continuous upskilling squarely on the individual’s leisure time.