Aussies reluctant to switch off:

Over a quarter of Australians have admitted to being reluctant to fob their phones off while holidaying, according to a global study from Hotels.com.

The study, which looks into digital holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores which nationalities find it most difficult to achieve that ever-important work/life balance and switch off when holidaying.

While a substantial number of Aussies need to learn to ditch their devices while holidaying, compared with the rest of the globe, Australians aren't doing too badly in the work/life balance stakes, ranking at 20th position, alongside the Danish and the Dutch.

The study also further revealed almost one in five (17%) Aussies regret spending too much time on their mobile devices upon returning to home soil.

Despite this, almost 2 in 5 (39%) admit to checking work e-mails while away, even though well over half (69%) concede to trying to use their holiday to forget about work.

But being unable to disconnect isn't just about being connected to work. Having access to social media, wherever they are, is very important to a quarter (25%) of Aussies

When it comes to Aussies' top ten most important travel items, the mobile phone ranked as high up as no. 3, superseded only by the ever-important passport, which came in at no.1. Travel insurance came in at no.2, while the good old gym gear came in last at no.10 - seems Aussies' thumbs are the only thing getting a workout while on holiday!

Zoe Chan of the Hotels.com brand said, "Going away on holiday should be a time to take stock and unwind, whether you're lying on a beach in the Seychelles or snowboarding down a mountain in Canada.

“While smartphones have their plus points while on holiday, using them to check the weather, view maps and book accommodation on the go, travellers would benefit from switching off their devices to disconnect, restoring a little more of the all-important work/life balance."

Top ten most important travel items for Aussies:

1 Passport

2 Travel insurance

3 Smartphone

4 Sunglasses

5 Sunscreen

6 Swimwear

7 Travel Guide

8 Deodorant

9 Razor

10 Gym Kit