It may seem contra to the lessons of 24 months of social-distancing, but new research suggests all that isolation has made it more attractive to travel in groups.
Not only have we missed out on the camaraderie that comes with exploring new worlds with friends, but we’ve missed out on socialising in new settings as well.
Previous urges to travel alone might not seem as gratifying as they once did, according to Contiki’s research into social travel – a concept aiming to unite us as we explore the planet.
Of those surveyed, 97 per cent had a positive feeling towards travelling with a group of people on their wavelength; the high number is speculated to be due to the lack of basic social connections during the pandemic.
Interestingly, 88 per cent of young people aged 18-24 had positive feelings towards social travel, but the real encouragement came from the older 25-35 group, who gave a huge 93 per cent vote in favour of travelling with a friend or 10.
As Contiki CEO Simon Llanos said: “The shared is more intense than the unshared. It is the biggest shift in any of the original appeals. Our job is to help travellers understand this before they depart – it’s going to be great.”
We’re constantly reminded that we have to redefine “the new normal”, and while it may not be for everyone, Contiki’s research presents social travel as a viable alternative to solo trips and presents a host of opportunities to meet new friends, create new experiences, and share the wonder of a Moroccan sunset or breathe in the magnificence of a shifting ice floe in Greenland with someone who shares in our wonderment at the sheer majestic beauty of our planet.
