What is Slow Tourism: A Guide to the New Sustainable Travel Style

For the eco-conscious traveler, slow tourism is a way to get to know your destination thoroughly without feeling as guilty about using so much gas-guzzling transportation. In the age of COVID-19 it's also a safer way of traveling, as darting around every corner of a country isn't the best way to avoid a pandemic.

What Exactly is Slow Tourism?

Instead of spending a few days darting around a region in as little time as possible, trying to snap a photo at every famous spot, slow tourism is all about taking your time. Taking the longer and slower route generally allows you to see more and do more, for a more memorable trip. There are a whole range of benefits to trying slow tourism or slow travel methods rather than taking the faster route however.

Slow Tourism is a Form of Sustainable Travel

With sustainable travel and eco-tourism being all the rage in the past few years, slow tourism is a way to lower your carbon footprint while still satisfying the urge to travel. Traveling by overnight trains and ferries, not only cuts down the mammoth-sized carbon footprint of taking a plane, but can also save on costs too.

Cheaper Transportation

After the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, flight prices are expected to increase again in the next few years, those super cheap budget flights might not be so economical next year. Journeying by ferry or taking a cross-country train for example can sometimes save a little on your travel costs.

These more eco-friendly travel methods also allow for an experience you'd otherwise miss. Gazing out the window at the scenery as you slowly traverse across the countryside is much more romantic than jetting across the clouds at breakneck speed.

Tying it in with Remote Work

After COVID-19, hundreds of companies around the world have changed to allow for remote work. Many of these companies are planning to continue this for the near future, meaning traveling around without even taking holiday is an actual possibility for many people.

Slow Things Down a Little

As more and more companies see remote work as a non-issue, it's becoming easier and easier to spend more time at a destination. While most people would take a week's holiday, flying from London to Porto for example and cramming as many sights as they can into the few days they have.

Being able to work while staying at your destination allows for you to take things at a much slower pace, leading to a much less stressful and relaxing vacation. If the weekend weather is bad, just spend it working for example and go sightseeing another day. No need to miss out on a tourist spot because it's closed on the only day you can get there. Slow tourism effectively eliminates many of the worries that most people have on their holidays.

Get to Know Your Destination Better

Slow tourism also simply allows you to see and experience more at your destination than taking a short break. A typical weekend city break will mean rushing around to try and fulfil your itinerary, missing much on the way. Spending a few weeks instead of a few days gives you a much deeper feel of life in the city. For some of the world's most coveted cities like Paris or Rome, it's this kind of experience that most people only dream of.

If you're the kind of person who values eating out as one of the most important experiences of a holiday. Spending that extra time allows you to try a wealth of different eateries, instead of having to narrow it down to just a few places.

Conclusion

While slow tourism is an ideal type of travel for many, obviously it isn't as achievable for everyone. Most people struggle to find enough time to be able to take such a long trip. If you have family that make it difficult to plan such a trip, consider taking a road trip for example. It can be a lot less stressful than trying to figure out transportation while keeping an eye on children.

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What is Slow Tourism: A Guide to the New Sustainable Travel Style