Tourists from what countries are least willing to ditch smart phone while on holiday?

Thailand travelers have been named as the nation least prepared to give up their mobile devices when going on holiday, according to a new global survey from a large hotel booking company. For a huge 85% of them, the thought of going on holiday without their beloved gadgets would make them break out in a cold sweat.

The study, which looks into digital holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores which nations find it most difficult to achieve that ever-important work/life balance and switch off when holidaying. Closely behind Thailand was Korea in second place with 78% of the nation finding it difficult to be without their device, and Japan in third place with 69%.

Comparatively, Hong Kong came in 11th place, with 46% of respondents being reluctant to fob off their phone while on holiday.

When it comes to Hongkongers, the study revealed that around one in three (30%) regrets spending too much time on their mobile device once they’ve returned to home soil. Interestingly, as three in four (75%) admit to checking work e-mails while away, it proves Hongkongers’ renowned dedication to work, which makes them feel comfortable with handling work e-mails even on holiday. Sarcastically, despite the above findings, nearly seven in 10 (68%) concede that they try to use their holiday to forget about work. But being unable to disconnect isn’t just about being connected to work, as having access to social media, wherever they are, is very important to more than half of (55%) the Hongkongers.

The study also revealed Hong Kong’s top ten most important travel items. While the mobile phone still came in high in second place, it was trumped by the ever-important passport/travel documents, which came in first place, proving that for Hongkongers foreign fancies still trump domestic dalliances when it comes to holidaying. While travel insurance came in third place, deodorant came in last at 10, suggesting that Hongkongers are more practical when packing their luggage.

When it comes to which countries are most likely to exaggerate their holiday experience, China came top of the pile with 67% of respondents likely to lie to friends and family when returning home. Close behind in second place came Germany with 64%, and Korea in third place with just under half (48%) admitting they would embellish a story to impress others. Hong Kong came in second last place, with just less than one-tenth (9%) of Hongkongers admitting to fibbing about their adventures.