In the years immediately following the COVID Pandemic, those in the travel and tourism industry began to notice a change in the way people were using their vacation and down time. Yes, relaxation and having fun were still on the list of reasons to travel but something new was emerging. A more deliberate set of choices are being made, a new trend is taking hold that is starting to eclipse how we used to see holiday making and according to the Global Wellness Institute, ‘intention is the future of travel’.

But what does it mean to travel ‘with intention’?  Overall, it means that people are seeking more from their escape than a week spent on a sunbed.Travelling with intention offers a deeper, more transformative experience, a connection to ourselves, our families and wider communities. When we travel with intention, we can ask ourselves “what am I looking for from my travel experience? Is there some aspect of my life that could benefit from travelling to a new place? And what benefits can I expect?”

Here are some growing travel trends currently changing the tourism sector that may inspire your next trip.

Family Bonding

There is no doubt that travelling with family and/or friends helps to foster strong relationships. Positive memories are built around shared experiences. In fact, there’s research to show that positive family interactions have health benefits for both old and young, the former offering new perspectives and vitality, and the latter sharing wisdom and experience.

Travelling to destinations that offer intergenerational activities can strengthen the bonds between all family members, which in turn will promote the mental, emotional and social wellbeing of a family. At Chiva-Som, we recognise the importance of family bonding, and have incorporated it into the Zulal Wellness Resort offering in Qatar, with family-specific spaces, facilities and experiences that enhance wellness at all ages. 

Redefining Purpose

Recent events have been challenging and have left many questioning their goals, priorities and what brings meaning to life. Enforced lockdowns and accompanying soul searching ignited the urge to travel and seek purpose through new experiences.

The wellness industry has embraced this intention by offering various retreats that guide guests through a constructive process of redefining and rebuilding. Meditation, quiet contemplation, and time to plan can reorient your life around the things that give it meaning, whether spending more time on your health, your family or your interests outside of work.

Regenerative Tourism

You’ve likely heard of ‘ecotourism’ – an effort to conserve the environment and prevent any detrimental impact to destination hotspots. The latest trend in travel has shifted to regenerative tourism, wherein travellers not only do no harm, but leave a positive impact on the environment and community that they’ve visited. In Hua Hin, Chiva-Som leads a mangrove restoration project which can be visited by tourists and community members. Mangroves provide natural protection against flooding, while acting as a sheltered breeding ground for marine life. Visitors can also join group clearing and plantation sessions, actively participating in the restoration of the environment.

Prescription Nature

Nature continues to be one of the most powerful influences on wellbeing. For example, forest walks have been shown to lower inflammation and reduce blood pressure. The microbiome of soil impacts our own internal microbial ecosystem and can promote healthy immune function. Sunlight exposure supports vitamin D production, enhances mood and helps regulate the sleep cycle. Holidays where a strong connection with nature is available are at the forefront of intentional travel. Being outside, feeling the sea breeze, hearing birdsong, walking beside water, all of these deliberate actions are known to improve the balance of mind, body and spirit in the human condition.

Intentional travel is not just a passing trend, it is a recognition of the importance of self-care and the value of time. If we learned anything from COVID and the years that followed, it is that living a meaningful life in the time we have does not happen by accident. Making good choices contributes to a life well lived, even when we ‘take a break’ from our normal routines.

To find out more about making your vacation time truly work for you, reach out to our reservation teams at Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Thailand or Zulal by Chiva-Som in Qatar.