Before the global Covid-19 pandemic hit, talks had been rife among travel experts that the next big thing for tourism in 2020 was slow travel. Of course, barely any travel took place for many around the world last year.
But as the tourism sector slowly resumes and parts of the world cautiously reopens again, it appears that slow travel is more pertinent now than ever.
Slow travel refers to travel that emphasises connection – be it with the locals, food or cultures – at the destination you are visiting. It stresses spending a longer amount of time in one place instead of zipping through all the “must-dos” suggested by travel guides or influencers.
“Slow travel has become the mantra for 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic that taught everyone not to be in a mad rush.
“That is why as people begin packing bags and hitting the road again for vacations, they are doing it with a difference,” said Lonely Planet.
Airbnb said the pandemic has motivated guests to lead a more nomadic lifestyle.
“According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the share of stays 28 days or longer on Airbnb increased 10% in nights booked when comparing 2019 to Q1 2021.
“Eleven percent of our long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74% of consumers we surveyed across five countries expressing interest in living some place other than where their employer is based after the pandemic is over,” Airbnb said.
It was on the basis of slow travel that the company launched Live Anywhere on Airbnb, a programme where 12 individuals get the chance to live exclusively in listings on Airbnb for approximately one year.
One of the lucky winners is US-based Malaysian Colin Ross Mukri, who hails from Tawau, Sabah.
ALSO READ: Malaysian gets to live rent-free anywhere in the world for a year with family
Airbnb said it will ask the selected individuals to share their experiences that will allow the company to better accommodate nomadic living.
“Through this programme, participants will provide real world insights on features, services, and the experience of living nomadically, that could help shape the future of long-term living,” Airbnb said.
The growth of slow tourism is also aided by the rise of remote working amid the pandemic.
In a recent study, GlobalData found that lengthier holidays are on the rise as more people begin travelling again.
The poll found that more than one in four travellers (26%) would prefer taking a trip of over 10 nights, the second-highest trip length in the survey. The most popular trip length is stays between four and six nights (28%).
“The pandemic has accelerated the work from home model, and the tourism industry could benefit. Those that are working from home, especially independent remote workers on a higher salary, no longer require a fixed location and only need somewhere quiet with Internet,” said GlobalData tourism analyst Gus Gardner.
He added that another push factor for slow tourism is its more relaxed pacing.
“Many travellers are desperate to escape their lockdown locations and need a change of scenery. A lengthier trip gives the optimal amount of time to switch off and reset, which is likely to be driving the increase in demand,” Gardner said.
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