Are you a world travel enthusiast and want to know more about the slow travel trend?
You are given the opportunity to take part in local life and connect more easily with the population in order to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the country.
Slow tourism isn't just a passing fad; it responds to a desire for ethical and eco-responsible travel. It's also a desire to regain control over time to reduce stress and enjoy your travels to the ends of the earth more fully.
The origin of the slow travel movement
We live in a world where everything is moving too fast.
The pursuit of immediate pleasure leads us into a mad rush of consumption. The goal? To possess ever more things... which end up possessing us.
We have no time for anything, and yet our century is the subject of the greatest technological feats the world has ever known.
It is from this observation that slow tourism was born.
The primary aim is to offer a slow alternative for traveling while taking your time.
When you're about to discover a new land, you tend to want to see everything without delay so as not to miss any of the country's gems.
With slow travel it’s quite the opposite.
Savor rather than rush. Immerse yourself in culture rather than chasing tourist attractions.
The goal isn't to make you miss your trip. By focusing on slowness, we allow ourselves to disconnect, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Who has never dreamed of taking a break, taking time for themselves, to find themselves and (re)discover themselves?
This is what this original way of exploring the world offers.
Slow tourism is part of a whole slow-attitude movement. We also talk about slow food, which involves no longer making mealtimes an obligation or a fleeting pleasure.
It is about reappropriating the process which opens up to learning and sharing.
Enjoy the present moment rather than thinking about the next one.
The slow concept invites us to counter the harmful effects of our modern lifestyle where time has become a consumer good... like everything else.
3 key principles of slow tourism
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Reconnecting with nature
Abused, polluted, and misused, nature has been given too little consideration, and today it is showing us the consequences of our negligence. Travelers are not without reason.
Promoting gentler mobility that respects the beauty offered by nature is a choice made by more and more travelers around the world.
It's not about stopping exploring the planet, but about doing it differently.
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Live simply
While the idea might have been amusing or even mocked a few years ago, the simple life is a trend more relevant than ever. The emergence of van travel is a perfect example of this. Following an unplanned route, letting yourself be guided by the day's events.
Prioritize the emotion of a moment cut off from the world rather than the continuous search for sensations.
A race lost from the start because the possibilities offered along our path are infinite. Becoming aware of this is the beginning of a transition, or rather, of a real transformation.
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Enjoy the present moment
It's not about doing whatever you want, telling yourself that tomorrow doesn't exist. Quite the opposite. Since tomorrow exists, why add stress to your daily life and rush behind the tourist buses to see all the must-see sites?
Doing so will only bring you an answer for your ego.
Sure, you'll have done it, but you won't have enjoyed anything. Evolve more slowly, allowing yourself to be swept away by the unexpected. If everything is planned, then you leave little chance for spontaneous encounters and experiences.
Our tips for traveling slowly and enjoying every moment
An antidote to package tours, where the only reward of a speedy bus tour is being able to tick off the trendy spots you absolutely have to post on your Instagram account. Slow travelers are rethinking their itinerary to give themselves the chance to understand and embrace the unknown during their road trip.
But in practice, how can we do slow tourism?
Planning ahead helps you better organize your trip. Once you're there, it'll be easier to stick to it rather than succumbing to tourist temptations and unplanned excursions. You'll also be better able to spot places that don't respect your decision to make this adventure the starting point for a new way of exploring the world.
An additional tip for successful slow travel is to go to a destination you already know very well. Yes, the excitement of discovery could quickly make you forget the commitments you made earlier. Having already settled there will force you to research specific locations in order to prioritize quality over quantity.
What is the connection with ecotourism?
In slow tourism , we find the idea of returning to a less stressful pace of life but also less polluting for the planet.
The movement is moving closer to a concept of ethical and ecological travel.
Say no to mass tourism and move towards a more inclusive approach to reduce the impact of our actions on the planet and local populations.
Local communities must be able to fully benefit from the financial windfall provided by the tourism industry. Conversely, it must not destroy the ecosystems present there.
Globetrotters are at the forefront of a change that begins during the preparations for departure. Each of our choices can have an impact on the environment and the country that is preparing to welcome us during our stay.
