The Rise of Slow Travel: Why More People Are Choosing to Travel Differently

For many years, travel races were common in mass tourism culture — people seeking to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. A typical holiday could mean visiting several cities in just a few days, following a packed itinerary, and trying to tick every major attraction off the list.

Staying connected while traveling was also part of the routine, whether that meant checking directions, booking accommodation, or keeping in touch with friends and family. Services such as eSIM Plus make this part of traveling easier, allowing tourists to stay online without having to search for a local SIM card after arrival.

After the pandemic, however, attitudes towards travel began to change. For many people, a holiday became less about the number of places they could visit and more about the quality of the experience. A new trend emerged, slow travel, or simply traveling at a slower pace.

Why Travellers Are Leaving the Rush Behind

Slow travel is a relatively new concept in tourism. Its followers advocate moving away from the rush to see all the sights along a pre-planned route. Often, such travellers stay in one location for several weeks, thoughtfully exploring the surrounding area and immersing themselves in the rhythm of local life.

The first attempts to travel more slowly emerged as part of the slow living movement, which became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. However, at that time, the trend didn’t gain widespread popularity — for most people, traditional package holidays were still the norm.

It was the coronavirus pandemic that made slow travel more popular. Now, many tourists want to have authentic experiences and delve deeper into the atmosphere of new places. According to a global study, as early as 2021, 85% of people wanted to visit destinations where they could truly experience the local culture. In such places, a new generation of tourists can spend entire days or even weeks.

What Does a Slow Traveller Look Like?

Interestingly, it’s not easy to create a strict profile of a slow traveler. Today, millennials and Gen Z travellers, large families, couples without children, and solo travellers all embrace this way of travelling. However, such tourists do share some common traits. The main one is their departure from the conventions of traditional tourism.

Slow travellers can easily spend two weeks in one small town. They often stay in apartments or guesthouses and visit little-known places that are not mentioned in guidebooks. Sometimes, their holiday resembles the lifestyle they lead at home, the only difference is the location.

Such tourists are particularly fond of activities that bring them closer to the local culture and atmosphere. For example, travelers may rely solely on bicycles or public transport. They are also happy to join guided tours led by local residents and visit a market or a local pub with them.

How to Travel More Slowly

First of all, consider staying in small apartments or guesthouses in small towns instead of popular hotels in big cities. This is often cheaper and will also help you immerse yourself more deeply in the local atmosphere and culture.

Secondly, you don’t have to go to the popular cafés and restaurants mentioned in guidebooks. You can ask locals where they like to relax and enjoy a good meal.

Thirdly, experienced long-term travelers also recommend visiting local food markets. This can help you get a feel for the spirit of the city and try food you will not find in a supermarket.

Finally, interact with people and get to know people, especially the locals. They are the ones who can tell you unique stories and give you experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.

The most important thing is to get started, because over time, you may come to love the concept so much that you won’t even consider other ways of traveling.