• Culture & Travel

Everyone’s Taking A Holiday ‘Just Because’ They Want To

New stats reveal that Indian travellers are exploring every urge of their wanderlust
  • ByTeam The Word.

The new reason for taking that once-in-a-lifetime relationship is no longer a milestone moment, it’s ‘just because’. 

There was a time when holidays were meticulously timed around major calendar milestones. People with a delightful sense of wanderlust worked extra hard to get leave from office to celebrate their birthday, anniversary, or that once-a-year family getaway. Remember when you planned the entire schedule months in advance to make the trip of your dreams? Well, turns out, that isn’t the case anymore.

According to new research commissioned by Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online travel platforms, in partnership with YouGov, travel has become an indelible part of everyday life, and the best reason to take that trip is “Just Because”. They surveyed 1,023 Indian travellers across 10 cities, and found out that 58% of them have now began getting out of town simply because they wanted to. And this is not just a one-in-a-blue-moon city exit we’re talking about. Amongst those surveyed, more than half of them (57%) have gone on two to three leisure trips in the past year that were not linked to any major life event or celebration.

The future of holidays definitely looks like clean air, sunny skies, and a whole lot of fun that’s more spontaneous and lifestyle-driven than ever before. Maybe all those motivational memes of living life to its fullest are finally coming true…

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More than half of those surveyed have taken on two to three leisure trips in a year.

And it makes perfect sense. Scientists have long expounded on the many benefits of taking a break. For one, these much-needed escapes lead to lower physiological stress markers like cortisol, improve heart rate variability, and enhance sleep quality, according to Journal of Applied Psychology. As Radhika Bhalla, Content Director at The Word. Magazine, shares, “I took my first solo trip ever to Switzerland a few years ago, just because I always wanted to. And it remains one of the most enjoyable vacations I’ve ever taken. I decided not to plan too much, choosing my next destination within the country depending on how I felt that day.”

Through this trip, she explored the city and immersed herself in art. “I hopped onto trains, soaked in the breathtaking Swiss countryside, and made friends along the way…eventually landing in Bern, one of my favourite cities ever. A new friend and I decided to rent bicycles and explore the town—all on a whim. We saw the church at midnight, explored the shops the next day, and visited Einstein’s home. The best holiday, it turns out, came from having almost no plan,”

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Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, and is home to the iconic 13th-century astronomical clock tower that features moving puppets. [Photograph/ Radhika Bhalla]
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Details of the Bern Minster, with elaborate details with gold. [Photograph/ Radhika Bhalla]

Along with discovering new destinations, the positive effects on the mind are just as helpful. By mentally detaching from daily annoyances, the post-holiday effects ensure that the body is healthy with lower stress. In another study, researchers found that most people engage in approximately 13% more physical exercise while on holiday, which leads to more endorphins and serotonin released in the body. The result? We’re bound to be in a much, much better mood.

So Indian holidayers are turning daily life (and minor annoyances) into a fabulous reason to explore the world. The research by Booking.com also found that 61% of travellers booked a trip to celebrate small wins like hitting a fitness goal or surviving a tough work week. That boss who’s decided to thwart your joys as a personal mission? They can’t get to you while you’re in a beautiful rainforest. Check.

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Nearly half the surveyors have visited a destination for Instagram-friendly backdrops.

And what about all the talk about loving yourself just a bit more? Turns out, 55% travellers booked a staycation just to indulge in hotel luxury, from plush bedding and room service to deep soaking tubs.

But this is where it gets more interesting. With travel and aesthetic photos on the ’gram going hand-in-hand, 48% admitted to travelling just to find a better backdrop for photos and videos.

Irritants at home have also become a reason to change the vibe, and 28% of survey respondents confessed to booking a trip specifically because their in-laws arrived for an extended stay. And while 46% fled to dodge drilling sounds, home renovations or noisy neighbours, 30% packed their bags the moment their nanny, house-help, or driver went on leave.

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Like Carrie Bradshaw, 35% travellers have been on a holiday after a fight or break-up with their partner.

Remember Carrie Bradshaw going on the honeymoon with her girlfriends even though she broke up with Mr Big at the alter? The case is now closer home, with 35% travellers booking a trip out of town after a fight or break up with their partner. And that makes sense. As per studies, this simple act of shifting your personal space forces the mind to create fresh neural pathways because new sights, and experiences break the mental pattern of rumination… Who knew that a getaway could literally be like therapy?

But the interesting part is, many of these holidays are not being booked after deep thought and allotting a special time after work or on the weekend. As per the survey, nearly half (48%) of Indian travellers book their vacations while actively participating in an important work meeting or conference call, with another 45% routinely browse destination photos while “pretending” to work.

 

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Many have booked a holiday for themselves and their families because they deserved a break, or even to celebrate small wins at work and in life.

The reasons are galore, too (take a note from these, because they’re inspiring): over half (51%) of those surveyed felt that they or their family “just deserved a break”, while 36% claimed a deal was simply “too good to be ignored”. And while 32% justified their spontaneous trip as being “cheaper than therapy” or needing a beach holiday for Vitamin D, 22% booked because their astrologer said it was an auspicious time to travel.

There’s always a good reason to travel, and no reason is just as good. There’s so much to explore, so much to learn, and so many memories to make…sometimes, its good enough to hit the road ‘Just Because’.