A report by the Office for National Statistics revealed that more UK residents are now travelling again as travel restrictions ease and tourist destinations reopen. They found that UK residents made 5.6 million visits overseas in April 2022, which is significantly higher than the recorded total overseas visit last year. UK travellers also spent around £4.1 billion while overseas in the same period. Moreover, data showed that 61% of UK residents travel overseas to go on holiday. This shows the possible demand for updated travel guides and tips as more tourists return to travelling.
So, if you’re also planning to go on a vacation soon, there are new travel trends that you should look out for like slow travelling.
What’s Slow Travelling?
Slow travel is an approach to travelling that focuses on making connections with the local people, cultures, food, and music of the place you’re visiting. Besides making connections, Sophie Lloyd explained that slow travel is the perfect method to seek out hidden gems in the city and try less traditional activities. Slow travelling also reduces vacation burnout. Because you’re not pressured to do various activities in a short time, you have more time to relax and appreciate the surroundings and experiences in front of you.
Some of the challenges of slow travel is managing remote work during your stay. Our article on ‘Family Travel & Remote Work’ shared that bringing your work essentials with you like your laptop is important, especially if you’re staying in a different country for a month. It’s also necessary that you organise your work and travel schedules so that you can accomplish both tasks during your stay. Although working while travelling can be tricky at first, it’s possible to handle them together.
How to Slow Travel
- Don’t Stick to a Plan
When we say that you shouldn’t stick to a plan, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will not take note of the activities you want to do at the destination. Instead, don’t just pressure yourself to do things at a specific time and day. When every minute is planned to a tee, your travels will feel like a chore you have to accomplish, and it doesn’t leave room for surprises. Since you’re staying for a longer time, don’t be afraid to try and discover things at the last minute because you’ll only get to experience them once. For your next trip, plan the bare outlines of your journey, and let yourself fill in the blanks as you explore the place.
- Skip the Flights
Although flights may be faster, it’s contrary to slow travel. There are other transportation methods available today that allow you to reach your destination without the rush, like taking the train, having a road trip, and travelling by boat. Explora Journeys demonstrates that travelling by boat is a luxurious and immersive experience that you should try at least once in your life. Aboard a ship, you can enjoy exquisite culinary dishes, invigorating wellness spas, and premium drinks. Because the trip is not rushed, you can take your time to enjoy all the amenities available onboard. It’s one of the ways that shows that the journey to your destination is already a part of your memorable excursion.
- Live Like A Local
To fully connect with the culture and people in the community, you should choose to stay in an apartment instead of a hotel room. This is because staying in a place and neighbourhood that can offer authentic adventures will allow you to feel and live like a local. It’s also cheaper to rent an apartment than book hotel rooms if you’re staying for a month. If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay, Airbnb helps foreign visitors to look and book listed accommodations. They have apartments, houses, or private rooms that are mostly owned by residents in the area.
Check out our website at Fab UK Magazine for more travel-related articles and trends.