Following some two-and-a-half years of pandemic travel restrictions, travel company Skyscanner today revealed the latest research into the psychology behind spontaneity and the benefits of spontaneous travel in association with esteemed psychologist, Emma Kenny.
The pandemic’s effect on travel spontaneity:
Savvy US travelers have long taken pride in being adventurous at heart with more than three fourths of respondents (77%) considering themselves spontaneous. But the last two-and-a-half years have knocked their spontaneous streak with 68% agreeing that the pandemic limited their ability to be spontaneous. Now, three fourths (75%) of respondents say that the pandemic has made them want to be even more spontaneous, and nearly half (46%) specifically called out travel as an area of life in which they want to do that.
Spontaneous and flexible holidays the new travel norm:
Over half of respondents (53%) have booked a trip to a destination they know nothing about, revealing spontaneous and flexible vacations as the new travel norm. 56% have actually arrived at an airport without a destination in mind and booked there and then to get away. 54% of respondents have previously booked a spontaneous trip with nearly half (46%) stating that it felt more exciting.
Better value travel is one of the benefits of a spontaneous break:
The data proves that spontaneous travel can be a cost-effective way to travel, especially important as purse strings tighten. In fact, an ‘Everywhere’ search on Skyscanner for October reveals great value flights next week from New York for as little as $73 to Myrtle Beach, $87 to New Orleans, $138 to Washington, $162 to Boston, and $98 to Portland for those willing to be a little spontaneous!
The benefits of spontaneous travel according to psychologist Emma Kenny:
„Jedan uobičajeni stres je donošenje odluka uključeno u proces planiranja odmora. To je razlog zašto odustajanje od metodičke organizacije koja tako često ide ruku pod ruku s planiranim odmorom i umjesto toga odabir uživanja u improviziranoj pauzi može biti toliko oslobađajuće.”
„Ništa nije tako uzbudljivo kao prvi put vidjeti novo mjesto i uzbuđenje i trenutno zadovoljstvo koje dolazi s tim.”
„Iako može izgledati zastrašujuće samo spakovati torbu i uskočiti u avion da biste riskirali na nepoznatoj destinaciji, imat ćete psihičku korist jer to stvara stav 'mogu učiniti' i podsjetit će vas na neograničene mogućnosti koje postoje. . A budući da nemate jasan raspored ili planove, svaki korak koji preduzmete uključivat će osjećaj avanture koji vas zaista oslobađa.”
Skyscanner’s Global Travel Expert, Laura Lindsay says:
“The impact of the pandemic and ever-evolving travel restrictions has reignited the appetite for spontaneous travel with three fourths of US respondents (75%) saying that the events of the last two-and-a-half years have made them want to be more spontaneous.”
Laura’s top tips for booking a spontaneous trip:
1. Consider ‘Everywhere’: An ‘Everywhere’ search on Skyscanner is a great starting point for your next spontaneous break away! Ordered by price, an ‘everywhere’ search can inspire you to go somewhere you’ve never been before. In fact, ‘Everywhere’ is currently the most searched ‘destination’ for US travelers on Skyscanner right now.”
2. Flex those dates: “Searching by multiple dates and airports will give you the best chance of a bargain. Flight prices are all based on supply and demand. Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary. The ‘whole month’ search tool allows you to see cheap flights at a glance and pick the right deal for you. Consider traveling a day before or a day after your original departure dates, flying on less popular days of the week is always cheaper.”
3. Mix & Match to save $: “Being flexible in mix and matching the airlines you choose to fly with can seriously cut costs. Fares don’t have to be booked as returns, look at flying out with one airline and back with another or out of one airport and back into another.”
4. Find a spontaneity buddy: “If you struggle to be spontaneous and you know that you need that extra push to get you out of your comfort zone, enlist the help of your partner, best friend, or parent. Get them to plan some fun trips away and agree that they will only tell you where you are going a few hours before you need to set off!”
