Revenge Travel: How the Pandemic Ignited Our Passion for Travel
by Rachel Ward, Designer Travel
This article explores the “Revenge Travel” trend, a trend that has travelers jumping at the chance to travel again after not being able to during the pandemic.
If you asked, “What would you do if time and money were no object?” many would say, “Travel more!” The pandemic has shifted travel from a luxury to a necessity, sparking a widespread urge to explore new horizons.
My husband and I had been talking for years about taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Scotland and Northern Ireland to visit the towns and people he knew on his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1978. For years, that is all we did, we just talked. We didn’t do anything to start planning or save up our money to make it happen.
Then the pandemic hit in early 2020 and travel outside the country was non-existent. We COULDN’T go anywhere and like most people, we went stir crazy.
The moment our dream vacation seemed out of reach, something clicked inside us—a wake-up call to stop sitting on our plans. With borders reopening, we dove headfirst into planning mode, fuelled by a newfound determination. Juggling COVID tests and passport renewals felt like its own adventure, but oh, it was worth it!
We roamed through Scotland, with its majestic castles and lush fields, and stood where golf (the love of my husband’s life) began. We marveled at Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and soaked up history in England’s ancient sites. Along the way, we forged new friendships and rekindled old ones, deepening old connections and making new ones. Every penny spent, minute planned, and hurdle jumped enriched us, embedding these memories into our story—a testament to the beauty of chasing dreams and making them happen.
"Revenge Travel," the desire to travel again after not being able to
Today, the floodgates have opened and everyone has been traveling like never before or is making plans to travel once again. People everywhere are itching to make up for lost time, proving that absence does make the heart grow fonder—or in this case, the feet more restless.
Is "Revenge Travel" still happening?
According to an October 2023 industry report, worldwide travel is expected to grow to $40 billion over five years, driven by “Revenge Travel,” the desire to travel again after not being able to. Not only do people want to travel but they want to travel their way. The typical tourist is unsatisfied with the canned travel experience offered pre-COVID. The focus is shifting towards the intangible, the connection to their destination, and the people they travel with. No longer are travelers satisfied with “just staying in a hotel by the airport” but want to stay in unique hotels with a restaurant and a chef that cooks their omelet with local ingredients and a cheese they’ve never tasted before but can’t wait to see if they can find it back home.
The best part of this new trend is that how you travel is now entirely up to you. Want to ski in the morning and visit art museums in the afternoon? Whether it’s in Chile, France, Japan, or anywhere else, you’re free to mix and match activities as you please. There are no set rules—just endless options and the freedom to explore.
Travel isn’t just about ticking off countries on a map or filling your social media with envy-inducing photos; it’s the ultimate classroom without walls. To be able to travel the world and experience new cultures, meet new people, have new adventures, and try new food is something that we think is vital to not just our own physical and mental well-being, but is important in helping us realize that we all have more in common than we know.
Now, excuse me while I finish putting my next itinerary together. It’s going to be amazing!
If you’re itching to jump on this trend and get out there, we can help. Whether you want to go on a cruise, stay at an all-inclusive resort or plan out your perfect custom itinerary give us a call! Your next big adventure awaits! Call 801-935-8652, email us at in**@de******************.com or book a discovery call to start planning.