As time passes, the Slow Travel mindset emerges as an unexpected revolution. Why is this travel and life mindset gaining traction amongst technological progress noises? From nomadic origins to the transformative wheels of innovation, we have gone a long way to travel the way we do.
Becoming a Slow Traveller is not solely a trend; it’s a philosophy addressing the mass tourism scars and the travellers’ authenticity desire. On top of this shift edge, can the travel and tourism industries adapt to this rising change? Can they embrace sustainable, in-depth, and meaningful connections with the essence of places and people?
After numerous concrete (r)evolutions in our travel approach, our mindset undertakes a transformative shift. Our travel perceptions and expectations are evolving, reaching a new edge that fulfils novel desires and dreams.
The exploration of the roots, rise, and future of Slow Travel is a transformative journey toward an enriching and interconnected world. Will industries fuel a growing mindset to sail through uncharted seas? Let’s navigate these possibilities together. Bon voyage!
The travel origins - Did humans need to travel?
Why did we start to travel?
The travel necessity is the first question to be asked when analysing our travel mindset. Genuinely, humans are designed for movement. This inner connection between humans and travel initially drove our historical journey through survival instincts, food sustenance, and exploration.
Throughout 99% of our history, nomadic living defined our adaptability, persisting until 10,000 years ago. Gradually, this way of life faded into the background, transforming travel from a fundamental part of existence to a leisure and luxury activity. Along this transformative journey, numerous human innovations have left their mark, paving the way for a new era of exploration.
To understand the rise of the Slow Traveller mindset, it becomes imperative to understand the why behind travel innovations driven by humanity’s relentless pursuit of quicker, longer, and effortless journeys.
In the world of human ingenuity and creativity, several unknown inventions have shaped the way we traverse the world today. Among the most important, we can cite the navigation, trade routes, or the travel for leisure. Each of them as contributed to shape the travel world as we know it nowadays. Thus, the main question is: by taking the Slow Travel path, are we simply coming back to our origins or is it a true revolution?
The current stakes of the travel and tourism industry
The tourism industry weight
Almost constituting a staggering 10% of the global GDP (9.5 trillion US Dollars – Statista), the travel and tourism industry undeniably possesses considerable power, employing over 320 million people worldwide (nearly 10% of all jobs generated – Statista 2023). As a redoubtable force, it’s clear that this industry can significantly shape the social, environmental, and economic landscapes of the destinations it touches.
However, and this is the trick, the consequences of this impact can swing between incredibly beneficial and painfully detrimental. Tourism has the potential to fuel economic growth, foster cultural exchange, stimulate local employment, and support educational initiatives.
It can empower local communities to handle long-term vision projects, creating mutually beneficial relationships and establishing sustainable exploitation-regeneration cycles. It would not only ensure continuous profitability for local economies but also safeguard against overexploitation by regulating the number of annual visits depending on local community capacities to manage waste and resource depletion.
Mass tourism terrific power
This idyllic vision was partially crushed, encountering a formidable adversary with the advent of mass tourism in the 1960s. Mass tourism, defined as the “volume of tourists compared to the local territory and population density – Dehoorne, 2006”, emerged as a significant portion of tourism consumption. It helped overcome financial challenges and stimulate tourism-related entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment and boosting local markets. Nevertheless, (this is where the idyllic vision gets completely crushed) the model proved to be completely unsustainable. It has now left eternal scarves on both people and places worldwide and keeps operating.
The mass tourism repercussions are far-reaching, contributing to environmental degradation, resource depletion, limited employment opportunities, seasonal joblessness, and the disruption of local lifestyles.
It’s like this hyperactive child destroying everything that no babysitter willingly undertakes. It erodes the social and cultural values of destinations and fosters economic dependencies, often leading to the abandonment of traditional economic activities like fishing, agriculture, or gardening to benefit tourists’ tastes and desires.
Moreover, the model exacerbates the division between hosts and guests, leading to the marginalisation of local communities (Bramwell, 2004) (Marson, 2011) (Nunkoo, 2017).
A glaring issue is the leakage of money. Despite the immense financial influx, host economies frequently fail to directly benefit, as the funds tend to flow towards multinational companies or foreign investors (Galbraith, 1964).
A desperate need for change
In this reality, it becomes crucial to adopt alternative tourism options that positively impact the local economy, people, and the environment. Relying on an unsustainable model yielding short-term gains but untenable in the long run is no longer a viable approach. Enter sustainable tourism, emerging as the most practical solution to address these pressing needs while ensuring long-term sustainability.
The Slow Travel mindset embodies the virtues of sustainable tourism and goes beyond changing life philosophy and daily actions. Remember that the Earth isn’t in danger. She doesn’t give a damn about you. It’s about us and our dream destinations.
“The beauty of slow travel lies not in how far you go, but in how deeply you immerse.”
The Slow Traveller Mindset as a solution
The growth of Slow Travel interest over the last years
Pre-COVID
At the heart of Slow Travel lies a conscious effort to break away from societal norms. Instead of adhering to the conventional idea of reserving travel for retirement, the younger demographic is embracing a unique life path. This path involves challenging the voracious forms of capitalism, addressing climate change concerns, and confronting global inequities (quite a complete pack, right?). The essence of slow travel is to discourage mindless and insatiable touristic consumption. Hence, it mitigates the negative impacts travellers may inadvertently have on the visited destinations.
Since the first sunlight of the 21st century, interest surging around the Slow Travel concept has been remarkable. I’ve been to many of the Best Slow Travel hostels during my life and all of them were a great example of what it could be. Nowadays, it emerges as the preferred choice of younger generations but also retired people for its numerous advantages. Travellers adopting this mindset are not only seeking self-improvement but also challenging and redefining traditional life patterns
An old and genuine desire for authenticity
This desire for authenticity is not exclusively linked to the unfortunate COVID crisis. Even before the pandemic, a significant percentage of Millennials expressed a strong inclination to immerse themselves in local cuisine (Forbes – 2016, Worldwide sample), “live like a local” during vacations and extend their stay to enjoy the places more in-depth (AARP – 2019, American sample). The most significant interest in online searches occurred between 2004 and 2007 before gradually declining (as your neglected balcony plant) until 2019. However, it experienced a sudden resurgence during the COVID crisis, a point further explored in this article (Google Trend).
Remote work as a great Slow Traveller ally
The rise of remote work has further fueled the momentum of slow travel (not quite to the moon, but nearly). Digital nomads and remote workers found themselves ideally positioned to embrace the Slow Travel ethos. Their ability to easily blend professional commitments with their exploration desires allows them to experience the world at a slower pace.
Concurrently, various movements advocating against unsustainable tourism have gained traction, supporting Slow Travel by reflection. The ‘Flygskam’ movement, which I dare you to pronounce ten times in a row, sparked by climate activist Greta Thunberg, urges travellers to choose trains over planes for shorter distance journeys. Despite facing financial constraints, Generation Z claimed sustainable tourism as a travel priority (Statista – 2020).
In the highs and lows of a current steadily moving yet lacking the force it deserves, the Slow Travel movement witnessed a gain of fervent supporters as humanity wrestled with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. During this time of restraint, a pivotal moment emerged, calling for a reassessment of our approach to travel and its consequences. Contrarily, our desire to explore surpassed all bounds, with the sparks of adventure brightly lighting up our dreams.
Slow Traveller Rise Since COVID-19: A Paradigm Shift in Travel Practices
A shift in our working habits
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a reevaluation of travel norms, pushing for interest in a more deliberate and meaningful approach. Our traditional vision of work has evolved, making remote jobs and home offices a common norm. Liberated from the traditional confines of office spaces, individuals now seek flexible and immersive travel experiences. This is the perfect opportunity to match Slow Travel and Travel Culture! Freelancers, online educators, IT engineers, and others have discovered the freedom to earn an income without quitting their jobs while residing in their dream locales (working under a coconut palm doesn’t seem bad). A growing number have warmly embraced remote and lesser-known destinations, responding to safety considerations and a desire to escape crowded tourist hubs, setting the stage for the (re)blossoming of Slow Travel.
A travel decision awareness
Simultaneously, the crisis has caused trauma swinging between loneliness to profound murder desires of your neighbour or relatives. No one desires to pass through similar restrictions, forcing us to live enclosed in a few metre squares alone or with friends and family. The awareness of environmental issues has grown, making us conscious of our action consequences (well done, brainy). Therefore, a preference for travel options aligned with sustainable living principles gained in popularity. The Slow Travel mindset resonates with those seeking responsible and mindful travel experiences, focusing on eco-friendly practices, community immersion, and meaningful adventures.
The well-Being and self-care need
This restricted period offered us a unique chance to reflect on what’s crucial for ourselves. We’ve been stuck at home, and yes, it sucked, but also underscored the importance of mental and physical well-being, realising that superficial experiences may not be what we internally need. This flourishing understanding led individuals to seek travel experiences that could contribute to personal self-care and rejuvenation. Slow Tourism emerged as a remedy, offering opportunities for relaxation, mindfulness, and a reprieve from the stresses of daily life.
The post-COVID era witnessed a profound change in tourist preferences, moving away from mainstream expectations to embrace authentic, meaningful, relaxed, and in-depth experiences. The forecasted 10% compound rate in the hospitality industry coupled with the regain of interest in Google trends reflect this orientation. With travellers expressing a desire for more wholesome experiences that delve into the social, cultural, and natural destination values and stakes, a new trend is surging and calling us to embark on its ship.
Future predictions
Will the Slow Traveller mindset keep rising?
Riding the digital nomad wave has become a trend, and it wouldn’t be surprising to witness this trend transform into a tsunami. The future unfolds with exciting possibilities for those untied by a specific location but still committed to work. An increasing number of individuals are seeking extended stays, longing to immerse themselves in local lifestyles, and the Slow Travel movement vibrations are finding a resonance, particularly among Millennials.
“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”
- Eddie Cantor
Almost 83% of global wanderer workers opt for extended stays of three months or more in a single location (ProjectUnthered – 2022), embracing travel as an authentic, profound, and meaningful experience. The conventional allure of settling down with possessions, a house, TV, and cars, is losing appeal. While a significant portion of the global population still aspires to this traditional lifestyle, a perceptible shift in mindset is happening.
This transformation interconnected with a growing environmental consciousness, a collective desire to counter impulsive consumption habits, and an aspiration for fulfilling experiences, favoured the rebirth of the Slow Travel mindset.
Navigating the future through Slow Travel
In a world reshaped by the events of recent years, a different way to navigate the changing landscape of travel has begun. Wandering with intention, fostering connections, and committing to sustainable and authentic experiences are emerging as pivotal factors in choosing travel destinations and Slow Travel companies (though still running behind considerations like prices and logistics).
Navigating the uncertain future with a Slow Travel Mindset offers a roadmap to a more enriching and interconnected world. Travellers have started to embark on the ship. Will tourism and travel industries join the movement?
How can the travel & tourism industries adapt?
In a world where the pace of travel often resembles a race at the speed of light, the travel and tourism industries hold the potential to initiate a transformative shift by embracing the principles of Slow Travel. By exploring the enigmas of local cuisines, embracing the charm of off-grid escapades, and cultivating an ambience that weaves narratives of authenticity, travel businesses stand as catalysts for reshaping global perspectives. Throughout the different Slow Travel layers, the travel and tourism industries can pave the way for authentic, sustainable, and immersive adventure.
Whereas for food, activities, resource depletion, transportation or many others, each step done to offer a Slow and Eco Travel experience is one done in the right direction.
Are you gonna rise like a Slow Traveller?
Our journey, from nomadic origins to the Slow Travel revolution, is at a pivotal point. Slow Travel isn’t just a trend but a profound shift in our mindset, challenging mass tourism scars. Contemplate a future where the essence of a destination is on local hands through authentic, meaningful experiences and sustainable choices.
As the Slow Travel ship sets sail, the question lingers: Will industries catch this wind of change, or be left behind?
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
