I overheard someone say ‘travel is the new real estate’, and it is quite true (unless you live in Auckland, NZ, but that’s an entirely new blog). Holidaying is on trend, with flashy images of vacations spilling out onto peoples’ social media pages, serving up those they left behind with the sour taste of their mundane, weekly routine. In fact a recent survey found 97% of us travellers share our photographs on Facebook, twitter, instagram or snap chat while on our travels. Taking an extensive holiday abroad once a year is becoming the norm, and for some, it is several times more. Experiential travel is rapidly rising. People are longing for more of an organic experience, with travel agencies seeing a change in the advertisements from various destinations and hotels, showcasing authentic culture and adventure. A recent study also showed we spend more money on sightseeing, than on shopping, nightlife and souvenirs combined.

World schooling, edventures or ‘life learning’ is also on the rise with some families going that extra step and taking their children out of school for a long period of time to show and experience all that the world offers. Families choose to either home school while on the journey, or even let their children learn only from the experience had while travelling.

I haven’t yet reached that point of hauling the children through various continents of the world for several months, or years, with little more than a couple of t-shirts and a favorite pair of jeans. But I do have a hunger to immerse myself in various cultures and explore as much of the world as possible, so I understand why people are doing it more frequently. New Zealanders are well known to fly the roost, and see what’s on offer on the other side of the world, but this does seem to be more common with the under 45’s, and still quite foreign to our parents who think leaving the house for an entire day is an outing enough.

With 30% of people planning to spend more on their travels this year than they did last year, and more people than ever planning a family trip overseas who otherwise would not have previously, what is making the travel industry such a lucrative, multi billion dollar industry? There are, of course, many answers to this riddle.

Society is becoming more aware of their health and well being, taking a holiday is a huge player in keeping healthy in mind, body and spirit. HVS estimates more than 17 million people recognize themselves as being health and body conscious, with 40% of those travelling abroad. Those that take a vacation for health and wellness spend a whopping 130% more than those who don’t, which of course directs the marketing of your next holiday.

Relaxation and rejuvenation is, for many, the ultimate aim and goal. Stress is incredibly expensive and detrimental to ourselves, and the companies we work for. An article in business insider Australia estimates stress costs businesses 30 billion annually in the form of healthcare and sick days. Instead of spending time off at home, more and more are packing their bags and flying to a destination with the assured warm, dry, strength giving weather.

For us mothers and caregivers, going away together on holiday can be as much about education as it is about having time out as a family. We have access to places I could only have dreamt about as a child, not just because flights and travel is cheaper, but because destinations are more accessible. Holiday’s are more than just sitting at a hotel next to a pool, though still a major piece in the vacation puzzle. Diverse society, culture, and culinary delights have us eager to get our children out of their comforting blanket of home. Historical places, significant landmarks, and world heritage sights are now no longer found only in textbooks or encyclopedias. They are merely waiting on that personal list of ‘where to go next’.