CHILMARK, Mass. (AP) — President Barack Obama is criticized whenever he goes on vacation but travel industry data show he's taken about as much vacation this year as most Americans do.

Still, his decision to continue with a two-week holiday in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and play hours of golf amid major foreign policy crises, has teed up his critics anew. It's also forcing the White House to confront the issue of whether there's ever a good time for a president to go on vacation.

Aides deflect the criticism and say Obama travels with the staff and equipment needed to do the job from wherever he may be.

The vacation is Obama's fourth this year. U.S. Travel Association data put him on par with most Americans, who average four leisure trips a year.