Slow Down, Take It Easy: What’s Slow Travel?
You've probably heard travelers say "I need a vacation from my vacation" once they've returned home from being on the road. You may even be one of these travelers yourself!
And while some love a jam-packed itinerary, others might feel overwhelmed by it all and instead yearn for a more relaxed pace. It makes perfect sense then why "slow travel" is a concept being wholeheartedly adopted by many travelers.
Contrary to what some may assume, slow travel isn't a luxury afforded only to those who can manage to take more time off and spend more funds to travel. Rather, it's a focus on the time and funds travelers do already have to enrich the experience by allowing them to truly breathe in their surroundings through a greater awareness of an experience, destination, community or culture.
Quality Over Quantity
A tale as old as time, the quality of a trip should certainly always be prioritized over the number of activities and stops squeezed in along the way. Rather than grabbing a quick bite somewhere to keep things moving, ponder how an educational cooking class and then enjoying the meal you just cooked as a group can influence overall trip enjoyment and authenticity. You're also more likely to be supporting the local community when choosing options like this!
Culture and Connection
A benefit to slowing down while on the road is that groups are able to become far more immersed in their surroundings, soaking up all a destination has to offer. So many people physically visit destinations but leave feeling like they really didn't get to experience it. Intentional slow travel allows the traditions and norms of a particular community to come to life through genuine conversations and interactions—an outcome that becomes much less likely when you're zooming from place to place.
Voluntourism opportunities are also a great way to make the most of a group's time in a certain place while engaging with those who call a destination home.
With Wellness in Mind
With a focus on wellness in travel becoming more common than ever, it makes sense that slow travel is also appealing to those same travelers. And while everyone has different goals or desired outcomes for their trips, slow travel has also been linked to increased trip satisfaction post-trip, leading to a higher number of potential return clients.
Consider an itinerary that offers ample opportunity for decompression after a long day or less stressful transportation options. Who wants to wake up at the crack of dawn to leave for the airport after having a full day or adventures beforehand? Opt for the afternoon flight and take a breather; it's OK to sit still for a bit, even when on the road.
So next time, rather than rushing from place to place trying to fit in as many stops as possible, perhaps consider how a slower approach may change how you and your groups experience a destination. You might just find it changes how you travel forever.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the Jan/Feb '25 issue of Groups Today.
