The future of travel is one that's human

A message from the past

Looking back at a bygone era, when the road really was less travelled, there are lessons to be learnt. One book comes to mind of Roald Dahl’s travels as a youth in Boy when he starts a new life in Africa. This was a time when there was virtually no air travel; when a trip to Kenya meant two weeks by boat; when adventure was as much part of travelling as the destination. “These were distant and magic lands and nobody went to them just for a holiday,” writes Dahl. “Nowadays you can go anywhere in the world in a few hours and nothing is fabulous anymore.”

It’s important we don’t forget the deeper connection found through slow travel. A slow paddle in a mokoro canoe through the Okavango Delta, with no phone reception, just wilderness and wildlife. The iconic view of Rome when you ditch public transport for a 10k running tour with an ex-Olympian. Filling the lungs with clean, fresh air, clearing the mind of stress, and driving forward anew with positivity. Every moment our foot lands on new soil should be treasured.

Humanity at the centre

From the anticipation of a new trip, to the moment you feel the sand between your toes, so many people from behind the scenes help you on a journey. They are the people to support you through uncertainty or last-minute changes. Free yourself of planning responsibilities and trust the experts who can get you the best results. With their skill comes resourcefulness, creativity, empathy, honesty and flexibility – that’s why the future of travel is one that’s human.

Travel with purpose

The world needs change just as much as you. There are places that rely heavily on tourism to support ecosystems and cultures. Critically endangered species in Cambodia have been threatened by poachers and areas of Africa have seen an increase in illegal hunting due to a lack of visitors to the region. Choose places that are focused on putting your money into the community to protect local livelihoods, and get hands-on with exciting initiatives that immerse you in rich traditions. Travel brings with it an opportunity to give back to others, whilst providing a sense of purpose, happiness, confidence, and contentment. It could be just the wellbeing fix we all need.

Find your happy place

One of the most important things we’ve learnt over the past few months, is that we should look after ourselves. Many of us spent time focusing on our physical and mental health. Joe Wicks had every person from great-grandmas to toddlers exercising in their living rooms and Captain Tom proved that 100 wasn’t an age at which to slow down. And at the peak of lockdown, people came to appreciate the incredible value of outside space and the freedom of travel; the feeling of being in wide open paddy fields in Sri Lanka, or in the cool mountains of St Moritz.

The opportunity to find thrills, adventure, calm, and serenity through a hike, an extreme sport or meditation can give us all a renewed and invigorated approach to our health. Not only does it have healing, powerful effects on the body and mind, it opens our eyes to some of the most inspiring views this planet has to offer.

Think of the person you’ve missed most through all of this. Think of the landscapes you would love to immerse yourself in. Think of the healing therapies that can nurture your soul. When you’re ready, we can help plan your purpose. Expert insight, compassion and honesty will help shape your views and decisions, and make your next trip more meaningful and more pleasurable.