Constant connectivity and work-related pressures have made time away more essential than ever.
With travel now an integral part of our well-being, our approach to it has changed, with more specific objectives in mind.
Away-from-home remedies
In fact, modern digital tools have transformed how and where work occurs, eliminating the traditional physical end of the workday, hindering psychological detachment from work.
This is why some researchers believe that scheduled holidays are key to compelling people to disconnect from their digital lives and recharge psychologically.
In addition, for decades, epidemiologists and cardiovascular researchers have been studying the direct effects of holidays on our health, and their research suggests that time off is effective in treating depression, anxiety and burnout.
Some doctors already go so far as to issue official prescriptions recommending time spent outdoors, and Dimitris Oikonomou, a seasoned Greek travel agent, believes that this will only become more common.
Dimitris Oikonomou, Travel agent, Interview by Nikos Andritsos & Marianna Pliakostamou, SKAI
“I believe the time will come, and perhaps sooner than we think, when holidays will be prescribed as a necessity. Future generations, particularly those who have grown up entirely online, may have an even greater need for genuine disconnection and rest. While older generations experienced both the digital and pre-digital worlds, younger people have spent much of their lives connected. For this reason, holidays may increasingly be viewed not as a luxury, but as an essential element of well-being. If economic conditions make travel less accessible, social tourism programmes may eventually need to expand beyond specific groups and become available to a much broader part of society.”
You can listen to the original clip in Greek here.
Based on the EU’s working time directive, European workers are entitled to four weeks’ paid annual leave, but many member states have opted for even more generous rights, regarding rest and relaxation as an essential measure for safeguarding health.
On the flip side, of course, demographic trends in OECD countries show a rapidly shrinking workforce and an ageing population. This means that the pressure for longer working hours and later retirement may soon be becoming the norm – something that is already evident in Japan, where the authorities relaxed the 45-hour monthly overtime limit last September.
Tailored travel
While planning foreign getaways is a great way to motivate us through the daily grind, the way we plan them has actually undergone of a revolution.
Sonya Spasova, director of the European Customer Centre in Sofia, explains how this has changed.
Sonya Spasova, Director of the European Customer Centre in Sofia, Interview by Elena Panevska, BNR
“Something that’s bound to catch on is the idea of travelling to places linked to a hobby, or to a concert we want to attend, or to visit a location where our favourite film or TV series was filmed – and for these trips to be short, meaning for just two or three days. One-day trips have also become very fashionable recently, and I imagine this trend will continue to grow in the coming months. In other words, you go to another country for well under 24 hours – it’s very quick, of course, but at the same time very enjoyable.”
You can listen to the original clip in Bulgarian here.
So, say farewell to “tourists,” and hello to “experiential travellers”.
Carlos Garrido de la Cierva, president of Spain’s travel agencies board, confirms that travel agents have totally rethought their offer.
Carlos Garrido de la Cierva, President of the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies, Intrerview by Aitana Sánchez, esRadio Castilla y León
“All those organised tours and package holidays […] have now given way to a more dynamic, bespoke style of travel, better suited to each customer’s schedule and availability. And there are many of them: travel agencies are now creating more bespoke itineraries than the pre-packaged holidays we sell.”
You can listen to the original clip in Spanish here.
Of course, there is still a place for package trips, but it seems to be All Systems Go for immersive, meaningful travel experiences that allow holidaymakers to forge a deeper connection with their destination – something that organised packages and traditional leisure holidays do not offer.
Experiencing more than touring
Simultaneously, the hospitality sector is adapting and evolving to align with demand. This includes leveraging technology and AI-powered systems to predict guest behaviour based on customer profiles, optimise staffing levels and plan for maintenance, Edoardo Colombo, President of Turismi.Ai, explains with an example.
Edoardo Colombo, President of Turismi.Ai, Interview by Giulia Cannizzaro, Radio 24
“Knowing that a group from, say, Scandinavia is due to arrive, I know I can expect certain consumption levels for breakfast. Knowing I have a business client, I know they’re likely to go out early in the morning while if, on the other hand, it’s a family group, they’ll leave later. Therefore, in terms of human resource planning, product procurement, sustainability and, of course, predictive maintenance, these tools will enable us to make improvements and efficiency gains.”
You can listen to the original clip in Italian here.
What about you? Are you open to making holidays an integral part of your healthcare routine?
- Hermine Donceel, Euranet Plus News Agency
