Why Travelers Are Taking More Trips Than in Previous Years

Last updated on 11/08/2023

While everyone was staying inside to keep safe from COVID, it may have seemed like the closest anyone would ever get to traveling again was setting up vacation inspiration boards on Pinterest. Precautions have lifted in the years since the pandemic, however, wanderlust has set in, putting leisure travel on a fast upward trajectory with no end in sight.

But why are people engaging in so much post pandemic travel? To help understand the phenomenon, we’ve outlined some of the top motivators we’ve discovered, reasons why travelers should make a demand for travel insurance when planning their trip and the importance of travel insurance for frequent travelers as more tourists decide to get out in the world more often after COVID.

One of the best ways to do that is with a family vacation. When you plan a family trip, everyone gets time away from distractions like school and work to have fun. Best of all, planning a trip with the kids and other relatives gives everyone a chance to have shared, real-world experiences that may help them grow closer long-term.

It's Revenge (Travel)

Since 2021, travelers have been looking to get out of their town, state and even country to head to parts unknown to make up for the time they lost being stuck at home during the precautionary lockdowns and quarantines during the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to access to vaccinations and an easing of pandemic-related regulations, the post-pandemic vacation has become a trend popularly known as "revenge travel" (that is, metaphorically getting back at the pandemic by taking a post COVID vacation).

If you're wondering how revenge travel works, here are the signs:

• You're willing to spend more money on post pandemic travel than were in the "before times."
• You're more anxious about the prospect of staying home during summer break or holidays when you know you could be having new experiences instead.

Another way of looking at it is a choice to live life to the fullest. No matter what you call it, though, you should indulge in revenge travel with moderation. One of the downsides can be a tendency to be unrealistic; while you want to have a good time, you don't want to overextend yourself financially. In addition, you want to plan ahead—it'll be easier to book everything you want to do, especially if you'd like to take a big trip overseas.

Traveler's Just Want to Have Fun

The reasons travelers are taking their post COVID vacations are pretty much the same as they were before the pandemic: they want to have fun, whether it's with family and friends, or simply having new experiences in a different setting by themselves to relax and clear their heads. In fact, these make up the top three reasons for traveling across all generations, according to CNBC.

As travelers get older, though, where they choose to have fun differs. More of the youngest adventurers embarking on post pandemic travel (ages 18-25) say that international travel is a top priority, but as they reach ages 45-64, that share drops to 12%. Instead, older travelers would prefer to enjoy travel while staying in the United States. Having new experiences with family and friends in a state that's not their own is a must, though.

It's for Their Health

Travelers also believe a post COVID vacation is good for mental health. With the pandemic increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression, a lot of travelers may feel they need a boost now that the world has mostly reopened for business. This seems to be a feeling across generations, but younger travelers especially are saying that mental health is one of their top reasons for traveling.

Can post pandemic travel actually help travelers' mental health, though? There's information to suggest it may. Mental health professionals have shared that research suggests travel could be capable of:

• Boost happiness hormones via new social experiences
• Provide a sense of escape (and as a result, balance) from negative situations or feelings
• Help shift or broaden perspective to help us see the world differently, or more positively

That said, the mental health benefits of travel may be dependent on the purpose—taking a leisure trip is very different from attending a business conference, after all.

Making Every Experience Worth It with Travel Insurance

Regardless of the reason for heading out on a vacation to see the world (or the state next door), it is becoming more clear to travelers that travel insurance may be a good idea.

The benefit of travel insurance for frequent travelers is that layer of realism that those indulging in revenge travel may accidentally forget. It’s an acknowledgement that the unexpected can occur—delayed flights, damaged luggage, or the unexpected need to see a doctor—but also an optimistic decision that the obstacles that may arise won’t derail a positive experience, since travel insurance may offer protection should mishaps occur.

Travel insurance may be particularly helpful to those taking a vacation for their mental health. If the purpose of the trip is to help alleviate anxiety, provide distraction or help see the world more positively, why not consider travel insurance as a precaution that might help reduce stress for your clients?

As the world’s first travel insurance comparison website, we offer an unbiased look at plans from top providers. We encourage you to direct your clients to our simple quote process so they can view available options. Seeing the wide range of plans available may also help your client better understand the importance of travel insurance for frequent travelers (or frequent travelers-to-be).