worth the travel meaning

Worth a Visit and Worth Visiting: The Difference Explained

While “worth a visit” and “worth visiting” may seem interchangeable, there are subtle differences in meaning that can affect how they are used.

“Worth a visit” is a more specific and emphatic phrase that suggests a place is a must-see destination, while “worth visiting” is a more general phrase that suggests a place is worth experiencing in some way.

“Worth a visit” is a phrase that emphasizes the value or importance of a place or activity. It suggests that the experience of visiting is worthwhile and that there is something noteworthy or unique about the place that makes it worth seeing. This phrase is often used to describe tourist attractions or landmarks, such as museums, historical sites, or natural wonders.

On the other hand, “worth visiting” is a more general phrase that simply suggests that a place or activity is worth experiencing in some way. It may not necessarily imply that the place is a must-see or that it has any particular value or importance. This phrase is often used to describe a variety of experiences, such as restaurants, shops, or events.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two phrases:

What does ‘worth a visit’ mean?

The phrase “worth a visit” is often used to describe tourist attractions, landmarks, museums, or other places of interest. It can also be used to describe a restaurant, bar, or other venue that is worth visiting for the food, drinks, or atmosphere.

Some examples of how to use “worth a visit” in a sentence include:

• “The Eiffel Tower is definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in Paris.”
• “This new restaurant downtown is worth a visit for their amazing cocktails.”
• “The Grand Canyon is one of those places that’s truly worth a visit at least once in your lifetime.”

What does ‘worth visiting’ mean?

The phrase “worth visiting” is often used to describe tourist attractions, historical sites, museums, and other places that people might want to see when they are traveling.

Here are some examples of how the phrase “worth visiting” might be used in a sentence:

• “The Louvre Museum in Paris is definitely worth visiting if you’re interested in art.”
• “The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world and is definitely worth visiting.”
• “If you’re ever in New York City, the Statue of Liberty is definitely worth visiting.”

When you use the phrase “worth visiting,” you are expressing your opinion about a place. You are saying that you think it is a place that other people would enjoy seeing and that it is worth their time and effort to go there.

Take note that the phrase “worth visiting” is subjective. What one person considers to be worth visiting might not be the same as what another person thinks. For example, some people might think that visiting a famous landmark like the Eiffel Tower is worth their time and money, while others might not be interested in seeing it at all. Ultimately, whether or not a place is “worth visiting” is up to the individual.

More Examples of Using ‘Worth a Visit’ and ‘Worth Visiting’

If you’re still confused between using whether to use ‘worth a visit’ or ‘worth visiting’, it can be helpful to see some examples of each in context. Here are a few examples of how both phrases can be used:

Examples of ‘Worth a Visit’

• “The Louvre Museum in Paris is definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in art history.”
• “If you’re in New York City, the Empire State Building is worth a visit for the incredible views of the city.”
• “If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is definitely worth a visit.”

In each of these examples, ‘worth a visit’ is used to recommend a specific place or attraction to someone. It suggests that the place is interesting, enjoyable, or important enough to justify taking the time to go there.

Examples of ‘Worth Visiting’

• “Italy is a beautiful country with many historic cities and landmarks worth visiting.”
• “If you’re interested in nature, Yellowstone National Park is definitely worth visiting.”
• “For history buffs, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is worth visiting to learn more about the country’s past.”

In these examples, ‘worth visiting’ is used to describe a broader category of places or attractions that are worth seeing. It suggests that there are many different options within this category that are all worth considering.

Synonyms of ‘Worth a Visit’ and ‘Worth Visiting’

There are several synonyms that can be used interchangeably with ‘worth a visit’ and ‘worth visiting’. Here are some of the most common synonyms:

• Worth seeing
• Deserves a visit
• Should see this
• Should take a look
• Be worth a look
• It is worth visiting
• Should have a look
• Sight to behold
• Sight to see
• Something to see
• Much to see
• Little to do

All of these synonyms convey the same basic meaning: that a place is worth visiting or seeing. However, some of these synonyms may be more appropriate in certain contexts than others. For example, ‘sight to behold’ might be more appropriate when describing a natural wonder, while ‘should see this’ might be more appropriate when recommending a specific attraction.

The most important thing is to choose a synonym that accurately conveys the message you want to communicate. Whether you choose to use ‘worth a visit’, ‘worth seeing’, or another synonym entirely, the goal is to encourage others to experience the place for themselves.

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The Value Of Travelling: 13 Core Travel Values That Speak To Travel Addicts

On the very first page of my website , there is a purple and green tree that is easy to skip over that is titled “Travel Principles”. It was the first part of the website that came to being and one of the most overlooked. Mostly because I haven’t taken the time to explain it in detail before. My philosophy on the topic of travel values or travel principles is more broadly based on the fact that this world is HUGE! There is so much to see. There is so much to explore! And often even the most well-traveled of us can feel like we are playing catch up. This for some people might be a motivating thought pushing them to see and do more. But for some of us, especially if we are not physically, financially, or mentally able to travel, it can be crushing. Let’s start by taking a look at the map!

Table of Contents

Now tell me what do you see?

A few pins covering an area so vast and boundless it makes you wonder, what have I seen? Maybe your map is covered in full. Maybe there are but a couple of pins. Maybe there is only one. Take a moment and mentally ZOOM IN. Take stock of all the towns you have visited hidden beneath one single pin. Of all the people you have come across whose stories you have shared and listened to. Recognize how much natural beauty surrounds you that others travel far and wide to reach.  Measure places not in terms of their span in covering this globe but in their depth. And wherever you are in the world. Whatever pin you are happening to at that moment occupy. Try to ZOOM IN a bit!

Travel Values and Travel Principles

These are the travel values that make sense for me to follow and can be applied anywhere and everywhere. You don’t have to travel far to fulfill them, in some cases you don’t even need to leave your house. Through mini-adventures, you can read a new book, explore a country through a documentary, start to appreciate a new cuisine or learn a new language, and become aware of cultural norms in different parts of the planet. If you take something from this list let it be that it’s not complete, final, or absolute. I encourage you to make your own list of the things you consider important in life and see how you can incorporate them into your life daily. 2020 Update: Especially right now with a lot of people in lockdown indefinitely it is important to remember why the ability to travel was important to us on a personal level. (without disregarding the business and financial implications of it). By creating a set core of travel values or travel principles, we are rethinking the way we view travel as education and as something we can achieve wherever we are, as long as we have access to resources and live in a democratic society, where curiosity is rewarded and information is open.

Appreciation

•  to go through life valuing those moments, people or experiences that make everything else worth it.
• to appreciate the opportunities you have been given.

Accountability

• to acknowledge there are things we could all be doing better. To acknowledge your contribution towards humanity’s wrongdoings.
• travelling as a way of realizing what could be done better and then setting out to make it happen.

Adaptability

• a lesson in realizing how few things in life are under your control.
• travelling as a way of embracing changes as a given in all situations and preparing your mentality to cope with the adjustments.
• to set roots and to establish a new home somewhere.
• travel is about finding that you belong in the most surprising places
• to understand the way other people lead their lives. To develop empathy, to connect with our fellow human beings and to experience their reality.
• travelling as a way of realizing our differences are not what defines us.

Development

• to develop ideas of your self-image of places that inspire you or of places that don’t. • travelling as a tool of creating your senses, your dreams, your knowledge.

Inspiration

•  to allow your experiences to give you new meaning in life, in art, in business.
• • travelling as a way of mentally refreshing old ideas.
• to explore your capacity of creating and sharing ideas, pictures or words free of limitations.
• travelling as a way of realizing we are not all able to be free.
• the ability to explore what drives the inner working of your mind free from constraint and censorship.
• travelling as a way of giving your mind room to grow.
• to create for both the physical and mental state of your mind a protective barrier from the worries of everyday life.
• travelling as a way of finding peace and calm
• where to go, what to see, how to get there.
• travelling as way of developing the skills of knowing what you want or allowing others to plan it for you.

Understanding

• to develop sympathy, compassion or tolerance and gain new perspective through the connections you built with others.
• travelling as a way of removing egocentrism.

Now is your turn! What are your travel values?

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• THE BIG IDEA

Why travel should be considered an essential human activity

Travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes. Here’s why you should start planning a trip now.

In 1961, legendary National Geographic photographer Volkmar Wentzel captured two women gazing at the surf off Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. This and all the other images in this story come from the National Geographic image collection.

I’ve been putting my passport to good use lately. I use it as a coaster and to level wobbly table legs. It makes an excellent cat toy.

Welcome to the pandemic of disappointments. Canceled trips, or ones never planned lest they be canceled. Family reunions, study-abroad years, lazy beach vacations. Poof. Gone. Obliterated by a tiny virus, and the long list of countries where United States passports are not welcome.

Only a third of Americans say they have traveled overnight for leisure since March, and only slightly more, 38 percent, say they are likely to do so by the end of the year, according to one report. Only a quarter of us plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel time. The numbers paint a grim picture of our stilled lives.

It is not natural for us to be this sedentary. Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, “we’ve lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of 150 or fewer people,” writes Christopher Ryan in Civilized to Death . This nomadic life was no accident. It was useful. “Moving to a neighboring band is always an option to avoid brewing conflict or just for a change in social scenery,” says Ryan. Robert Louis Stevenson put it more succinctly: “The great affair is to move.”

What if we can’t move, though? What if we’re unable to hunt or gather? What’s a traveler to do? There are many ways to answer that question. “Despair,” though, is not one of them.

In this aerial view from 1967, wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers relax under umbrellas or on beach towels in Ocean City, Maryland .

A 1967 fall festival in Guadalajara, Mexico , starred traditionally costumed musicians and dancers.

We are an adaptive species. We can tolerate brief periods of forced sedentariness. A dash of self-delusion helps. We’re not grounded, we tell ourselves. We’re merely between trips, like the unemployed salesman in between opportunities. We pass the days thumbing though old travel journals and Instagram feeds. We gaze at souvenirs. All this helps. For a while.

We put on brave faces. “Staycation Nation,” the cover of the current issue of Canadian Traveller magazine declares cheerfully, as if it were a choice, not a consolation.

Today, the U.S. Travel Association, the industry trade organization, is launching a national recovery campaign called “ Let’s Go There .” Backed by a coalition of businesses related to tourism—hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines—the initiative’s goal is to encourage Americans to turn idle wanderlust into actual itineraries.

The travel industry is hurting. So are travelers. “I dwelled so much on my disappointment that it almost physically hurt,” Paris -based journalist Joelle Diderich told me recently, after canceling five trips last spring.

(Related: How hard has the coronavirus hit the travel industry? These charts tell us.)

My friend James Hopkins is a Buddhist living in Kathmandu . You’d think he’d thrive during the lockdown, a sort-of mandatory meditation retreat. For a while he did.

But during a recent Skype call, James looked haggard and dejected. He was growing restless, he confessed, and longed “for the old 10-countries-a-year schedule.” Nothing seemed to help, he told me. “No matter how many candles I lit, or how much incense I burned, and in spite of living in one of the most sacred places in South Asia, I just couldn’t change my habits.”

When we ended our call, I felt relieved, my grumpiness validated. It’s not me; it’s the pandemic. But I also worried. If a Buddhist in Kathmandu is going nuts, what hope do the rest of us stilled souls have?

I think hope lies in the very nature of travel. Travel entails wishful thinking. It demands a leap of faith, and of imagination, to board a plane for some faraway land, hoping, wishing, for a taste of the ineffable. Travel is one of the few activities we engage in not knowing the outcome and reveling in that uncertainty. Nothing is more forgettable than the trip that goes exactly as planned.

Related: Vintage photos of the glamour of travel

Travel is not a rational activity. It makes no sense to squeeze yourself into an alleged seat only to be hurled at frightening speed to a distant place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. All at great expense. If we stopped to do the cost-benefit analysis, we’d never go anywhere. Yet we do.

That’s one reason why I’m bullish on travel’s future. In fact, I’d argue travel is an essential industry, an essential activity. It’s not essential the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. Travel is essential the way books and hugs are essential. Food for the soul. Right now, we’re between courses, savoring where we’ve been, anticipating where we’ll go. Maybe it’s Zanzibar and maybe it’s the campground down the road that you’ve always wanted to visit.

(Related: Going camping this fall? Here’s how to get started.)

James Oglethorpe, a seasoned traveler, is happy to sit still for a while, and gaze at “the slow change of light and clouds on the Blue Ridge Mountains” in Virginia, where he lives. “My mind can take me the rest of the way around this world and beyond it.”

It’s not the place that is special but what we bring to it and, crucially, how we interact with it. Travel is not about the destination, or the journey. It is about stumbling across “a new way of looking at things,” as writer Henry Miller observed. We need not travel far to gain a fresh perspective.

No one knew this better than Henry David Thoreau , who lived nearly all of his too-short life in Concord, Massachusetts. There he observed Walden Pond from every conceivable vantage point: from a hilltop, on its shores, underwater. Sometimes he’d even bend over and peer through his legs, marveling at the inverted world. “From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow,” he wrote.

Thoreau never tired of gazing at his beloved pond, nor have we outgrown the quiet beauty of our frumpy, analog world. If anything, the pandemic has rekindled our affection for it. We’ve seen what an atomized, digital existence looks like, and we (most of us anyway) don’t care for it. The bleachers at Chicago ’s Wrigley Field; the orchestra section at New York City ’s Lincoln Center; the alleyways of Tokyo . We miss these places. We are creatures of place, and always will be.

After the attacks of September 11, many predicted the end of air travel, or at least a dramatic reduction. Yet the airlines rebounded steadily and by 2017 flew a record four billion passengers. Briefly deprived of the miracle of flight, we appreciated it more and today tolerate the inconvenience of body scans and pat-downs for the privilege of transporting our flesh-and-bone selves to far-flung locations, where we break bread with other incarnate beings.

Landscape architects work in their Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , studio in 1955.

A tourist photographs a towering century plant in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1956.

In our rush to return to the world, we should be mindful of the impact of mass tourism on the planet. Now is the time to embrace the fundamental values of sustainable tourism and let them guide your future journeys. Go off the beaten path. Linger longer in destinations. Travel in the off-season. Connect with communities and spend your money in ways that support locals. Consider purchasing carbon offsets. And remember that the whole point of getting out there is to embrace the differences that make the world so colorful.

“One of the great benefits of travel is meeting new people and coming into contact with different points of view,” says Pauline Frommer, travel expert and radio host.

So go ahead and plan that trip. It’s good for you, scientists say . Plotting a trip is nearly as enjoyable as actually taking one. Merely thinking about a pleasurable experience is itself pleasurable. Anticipation is its own reward.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the frisson of anticipatory travel. My wife, not usually a fan of travel photography, now spends hours on Instagram, gazing longingly at photos of Alpine lodges and Balinese rice fields. “What’s going on?” I asked one day. “They’re just absolutely captivating,” she replied. “They make me remember that there is a big, beautiful world out there.”

Many of us, myself included, have taken travel for granted. We grew lazy and entitled, and that is never good. Tom Swick, a friend and travel writer, tells me he used to view travel as a given. Now, he says, “I look forward to experiencing it as a gift.”

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• VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

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What Are Travel Points Worth and Why Do They Matter?

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When was the last time you took a vacation? A real “toes in the sand, cold drink in the hand” kind of vacation? If you’re like most of us, it’s been too long.

We’re here to help.

One of the main reasons it can be tough to book a great trip is that those carefree vacation days don’t always come cheap. But the solution might be hiding in plain sight: travel points.

We’re going to walk you through the basics of what travel points are, what they’re worth and why they matter — so you can spend time in your vacation destination without spending a big chunk of your savings.

What are travel points?

Travel points are a type of currency that can be earned in many different ways. For the purpose of this explainer, we're going to use the umbrella term "travel points" to include both airline miles and hotel points — the two most common types of travel points.

Generally speaking, the term "miles" is reserved for airline loyalty programs, whereas the term "points" crops up in a variety of travel rewards programs (like hotels, dining, rental cars and more).

One way to earn travel points is through loyalty programs. For example, you can earn AAdvantage miles when you fly on American Airlines and World of Hyatt points when you stay at Hyatt properties.

Another common way to earn travel points is by spending on credit cards. Chase, American Express and other financial institutions offer co-branded credit cards, like the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , that pay you points or miles when you make purchases. Terms apply.

Different travel points systems have members earn and redeem awards at different rates, and generally speaking, the value of individual travel points varies widely.

» Learn more: The beginner’s guide to points and miles

How are travel points different from transferable points currencies?

Citi, Chase, Capital One, American Express and other card issuers each have their own type of currency — Citi ThankYou Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards® , Capital One Miles and American Express Membership Rewards . Their points tend to be more flexible than airline and hotel points. These points leverage transfer partners to offer members a wide variety of opportunities to earn and redeem points, whereas hotel- or airline-specific travel points are generally designed to be redeemed with the specific hotel group or airline.

Points from financial institutions can be redeemed in a variety of ways. We’ll talk more about that in a moment.

What are travel points worth?

The value of points and miles varies. While it can be useful to think of points as being worth about 1 cent apiece, there are ways to squeeze more value out of each point. On the flip side, there are also several ways to redeem points for a not-so-great value, so it’s important to do the math to determine if a deal is really a deal.

NerdWallet analyzed the value of dozens of rewards programs to estimate how many cents per point or mile you could get when making award bookings. These valuations are a nice starting point: If you can get this baseline value from a redemption, you know you’re doing well.

A simple math trick will help you determine the value of your points redemption: Simply divide the cash value by the number of points needed to book the flight, then multiply times 100.

What is the best way to redeem travel points?

Generally speaking, the best way to redeem travel points is with the company most closely associated with the loyalty program. So, use your United MileagePlus miles to book United flights, and use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book stays at a Marriott hotel.

While you can get outsized value by using transferable currencies wisely, it is not as common among specific airline or hotel groups to get such high-value redemptions with external partners (the caveat being that savvy travelers can sometimes leverage high-value award tickets via airline alliances ).

The worst ways to redeem points or miles include for things like merchandise and magazine subscriptions.

» Learn more: How to shop for flights

Good points redemptions

Let’s say you’ve earned 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. You decide to transfer them to Hyatt, one of Chase’s transfer partners . The points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, so you get 25,000 World of Hyatt points.

Now the fun begins.

NerdWallet values Hyatt points at 2.3 cents each , so those points are worth $575.

Hyatt offers hotel properties that span budget to luxury, and you can often find “sweet spots” for points redemption at any quality level. For example, Hyatt Category 2 properties cost 8,000 points per night (and just 6,500 for an off-peak stay); so even on a standard night, with 25,000 points, you can book a three-night stay — with 1,000 points to spare.

Since some of these same Category 2 properties can cost over $250 per night, your 24,000 points could equate to $750 in value — a decent jump from the $575 baseline value you hoped to get.

That’s exciting.

Bad points redemptions: Be warned

Let’s say you have 30,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. You browse the American Express shopping portal and consider adding a very nice tea kettle to your cart for 27,312 points. This tea kettle typically sells for $125, so it might seem like a great redemption. After all, those points were free — and what a lovely tea kettle.

However, 27,312 points is a lot of points. Armed with NerdWallet’s points valuations, you can do the math to determine exactly what those points are worth. Since NerdWallet has determined that American Express Membership Rewards points are worth about 2.8 cents apiece, this number of points is roughly worth $764.74.

That would have been one expensive tea kettle.

Why do travel points matter?

Some travelers have built entire lifestyles around the points and miles hobby. Even so, you might ask: Do travel points matter?

For individuals motivated to save on travel expenses, the answer is short: Yes. Here are some additional reasons why learning — and using — travel points is worth it.

Enjoy fringe membership program. For instance, simply being a member of IHG Rewards means free Wi-Fi for all hotel stays within the brand's portfolio, including the Holiday Inn.

Don't leave money on the table. If you are going to spend on credit cards anyway, you might as well get a little something back. By using travel points, you can get occasional free flights and other awards.

Quicker path towards elite status . If lounge access and priority boarding or complimentary breakfast and welcome gifts sound like travel conveniences you don't want to miss out on, learning to use points and miles wisely can get you closer to status with your preferred business.

Community. There is a small but delightful community of points nerds out there, all waiting to geek out over high-value redemptions and secrets for finding little-known sweet spots. Join us. We'd be happy to have you.

» Learn more: Should I get a travel credit card that earns points or one that earns miles?

If you’re new to travel points

What are travel points worth? A lot. There are many different types of travel points — airline miles, hotel points and credit card points, which you can spend on a variety of things. The value of points and miles can be significant, but some points redemptions are much more valuable than others. Do the math to determine if a redemption makes sense for you.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

• GENERAL TRAVEL

24 Perspectives & Thoughts on Meaningful Travel

Megan Lee is an international educator, traveler, writer, & SEO. After leading study abroad p...

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There are as many reasons to travel as there are gelato flavors to taste-test and awe-inspiring sunrises to groggily pull yourself out of bed for: to learn, to grow, to become, to breathe fresh air, to see new horizons, to dive into new depths, to hear strange words. But, don’t just take our word for it—there are plenty of fellow travelers out there that will back us up as to why traveling is good, and just how important meaningful travel is.

Travel is all a matter of perspective—and here are some great ones.

To celebrate 20+ years in the world of making travel meaningful , we’re here to share 24 inspiring and unique perspectives on travel from our community, our colleagues, and our team. Read on!

24 reflections & thoughts on travel

1. Destiny Davis—Meaningful Traveler

Community Member | GoAbroad

Meaningful travel is the reason why I never hand individuals items with my left hand or why I would never allow the bottom of my feet to face a Buddha statue in a temple. Meaningful travel is learning respect. Meaningful travel is when you dive into a culture and leave with a greater understanding of a country, its physical atmosphere, people, and social climate. Meaningful travel is one of the most important types of travel, for not only is the traveler forever changed, but leaves an imprint and positive impact on the country he/she visits.

2. Umar Khan—Meaningful Traveler

Travel doesn’t mean leisure only, it is more than that. Travel means responsibility, care, opportunity, and learning. Responsibility for the environment—a meaningful traveler does not engage in any activity to pollute it. Care is to be given to the local community to respect them and buy from them. Opportunity is to do better at the destination, to invest in for the benefit of locals. Learning means to learn something new that you can later implement in your own life in your own country for the betterment and improvement of sustainable travel practices.

3. Amy Ruhter McMillan—International Educator

Associate VP of Marketing | IES Abroad

How has meaningful travel changed in the last 20 years? The one thing that never changes about travel is how extraordinary the people in this field are. Attend any youth travel-related conference or event, and it will be full of people to admire. People who are committed to study abroad and international exchange. People ultimately committed to international education because we believe it can and will change the world. People who have seen first-hand that it IS changing the world.

4. Kate Mosser—GoAbroad Team Member

Writer's Academy Alumni | GoAbroad

Travel creates new situations for you, where you can explore who you are in different contexts. Every time you're presented with something new, you have the opportunity to write the story of who you are. And everywhere you go, you have the opportunity to tell that story. Therein lies the magic of travel: it shapes you at precisely the same time you are shaping it. Whether this is on a camel ride across the Sahara or a bus trip into the next city, you are constantly encountering and creating the new you, and that gives meaning to all travel.

5. Charmaine Yip—Travel Blogger

Blogger | The Canadian Wanderer

Meaningful travel is stepping out of what you know into a realm that you don't know and to see the best of both worlds. 

It is the ability to compare and contrast and to see the advantages and disadvantages of both places and learning to be grateful of where you come from. 

6. Nicole Powers—GoAbroad Team Member

CCO | GoAbroad

It's important to realize these trips are not separate from our everyday lives. They are windows into shared human experience. The people we meet abroad are living their normal life each day—buying groceries, picking their kids up from school, arguing with their boyfriends, figuring out how to pay their rent. This is the most powerful and meaningful part of travel—when your perspective changes from assuming difference to discovering similarity. The only way to care about someone is to identify with them, and the quickest way to that point is on an airplane.

7. Steph Dyson—Meaningful Traveler

Travel Goddess/Blogger | WorldlyAdventurer

Meaningful travel is recognising that visiting a country is not just about the photographs you take: it is about setting aside the camera and become a participant in what you see before you. It is the recognition that travel is a two-way process: we must be willing to give something in exchange for being welcomed into communities and shown kindness by people who have little else that they can offer.

8. Alyssa Nota—International Educator

CEO/President | USAC Study Abroad

More and more people are seeing the unequalled value of education abroad, language learning and the immense personal growth that occurs when one is forced from one's "familiar" into the "unknown" or "different." Technology has made the world smaller. Financial support in various forms has made the far corners of the globe more easily reached. Study abroad programs have transformed into innumerable formats, durations, types and destinations. All of this has brought study abroad into the scope of far more students than ever before - and this can only be considered a good thing.

9. Suzanne Bhagan—GoAbroad Team Member

Meaningful Travel Insider | GoAbroad

For me, meaningful travel is not a competition to see who gets to visit the most places first. It certainly does not mean treating foreign countries like cool selfie backdrops or commodities I can tick off a bucket list. It's about me trying to engage more deeply with a location, people, and culture, which also causes me to interrogate my prejudices from home. Above all, it teaches me that I’m part of a whole—the whole of the human race.

10. Antoaneta Antonova Atanassova—International Educator

Founding President | Mexican Council for Cultural Diplomacy

If I don´t learn about the culture of the place I am visiting, I don’t feel I’ve traveled at all. The culture and the personal interactions of a new place are the object of my learning, and serve as an effective form to compare reality to the cultural bias existing in the media—and to ultimately break paradigms. Travel, interact, feel, analyze, and learn; then, your intercultural competences will grow.

11. Lara Jeich—Meaningful Traveler

Be open-minded, eager to observe, to learn, to adapt. Be open to relate with people, learn and EXPLORE! Be cautious, but don’t stop being adventurous, live the moment and take the best of it. If someone has an advice, take it, you never know when it could come in handy. GET INVOLVED!...with the places you go, the nature that surrounds you, and the people you meet. If you have an opportunity to participate in a local project, never doubt it! It will be the most rewarding experience you could ask for. Traveling can be transforming. Nevertheless, it has to be a “conscious traveling,” the kind that gets you out of your comfort zone.

12. Kayla Patterson—GoAbroad Team Member

COO | GoAbroad

Something magical happens when we travel meaningfully. When we step outside our comfort zone, intentionally immerse ourselves in another culture, and learn more about the places we visit, it changes us. Our fundamental views of the world, ourselves, and relationships shift. We realize that before these experiences, our eyes weren’t wide open and we lacked a profound understanding of our place in the world.

13. Ali Gaffey—Meaningful Traveler

While travel is likely meaningful to the traveler on a emotional level, the term "meaningful travel" refers to a purpose rather than simply the destination. As humans, we are constantly searching for meaningful interactions with each other. Travel allows us to share experiences with people and places different from our norm. Meaningful travel makes us better citizens of the world and keep us desiring for more. 

14. Sunny Fitzgerald—Travel Blogger

Founder | FROLIQ

Don't be so focused on your own journey that you forget to look up and connect with people around you that are all on journeys of their own. Other countries and communities don't just exist for your pleasure. 

Yes, of course, take time to learn and challenge yourself. But, don't forget to get to know the people and places where you travel. What meaning can any trip or life have if it's void of the connection with the journeys that are interwoven with your own?

15. Louise Lieselotte Katharina Mayer—Meaningful Traveler

Meaningful travel is not about the number of "likes" on your Instagram picture or checking off five star sights because TripAdvisor told you to. It has nothing to do with images portrayed or perception of what makes a true "traveler." Traveling with meaning comes from personal growth. It is a chance to challenge yourself and to absorb everything you possibly can, so that you can continue the cycle and give back once again to the world. 

16. Rebecca Schwab—International Educator

Campus Operations Director | Kahal Abroad

Meaningful travel means an opportunity to see the world differently than you ever have before and reflect upon how far you've have come to be standing where you are. Being abroad is a once in a lifetime experience where you develop as a person in a completely new world; I hope more students take advantage of the blank slate being abroad gifts you.

17. Sara Engelhard—Meaningful Traveler

To me, the phrase “meaningful travel” is redundant. All travel is meaningful; however, I do think that “meaningful” is a spectrum. At the highest end of the spectrum, there is travel that transforms not only you, but those who you meet. In even the smallest of ways, “meaningful travel” changes the world.

18. David Hayes—Meaningful Traveler

Don’t take that picture that literally every other foreigner visiting that place has taken, and never underestimate the power of simply "hanging out" with local folks. People shine their brightest in their moments of normalcy. Join them.

19. Vianna Renaud—International Educator

Placement Development Advisor | Bournemouth University

Meaningful travel, to me, is an international experience that makes you think and creates an impact. Even during the most difficult moments, I know that my life has been much more enriched from living abroad.

20. Kendall Dick—GoAbroad Team Member

Meaningful travel is not just a trip or a vacation, it is a journey. But it’s not always as appealing as a picture on the cover of a study abroad brochure. The word “travel” is derived from the world travail, which means painful or laborious effort. 

Meaningful travel promises trials, but in the end, it offers a life changing opportunity for someone else as well as yourself.

21. Elsa Thomasma Alingasa—GoAbroad Team Member

SEM & Content Executive | GoAbroad

Traveling to a new place always makes me realize how many extraordinary people, cultures, and places exist in the world, each one unique and beautiful in its own way. It restores my faith in humanity and the future of our planet, by introducing me to kind, generous, accepting people from all walks of life. Traveling reminds me that media reports are never representative of entire populations, ethnicities, regions, or points in history. When I travel, I find myself continuously redefining what it means to be human, and more importantly, a humanitarian.

22. Anna Vatuone—Meaningful Traveler

I love the way a stranger looks when your first approach them. The way their eyes brighten and their smile curls in anticipation for the words soon escaping your mouth. I love the feeling of a fresh conversation, the way it revives you, the way it awakens you. Crossing paths. I can tell you of nothing more powerful, to meet the very people that make up a place. So, I suppose if you were to ask me what meaningful travel is, I would tell you it’s thanks to the people you meet along the way. 

23. Mary Ellen Dingley—GoAbroad Team Member

Meaningful travel does one of two things—it puts us in touch with others, or with ourselves. Meaningful travel happens when we are open to receiving the stories of people on the other side of the globe, whether through building personal connections or through the local art or history. Meaningful travel can also, as one fellow traveler said, make us "come face to face with ourselves." While lost in strange cities or gaping at mountain ranges, I learned more of who I was. While what is “meaningful” to a traveler may change, the desire for intentional, immersive travel never will. 

24. Shelby Sage Lisieski—Meaningful Traveler

Meaningful travel for me goes beyond sight. One can travel thousands of miles to "see" a certain attraction, however, if only the sense of sight is used, are you fully taking in and embracing all that is around you? Personally speaking, I enjoy taking time to fully immerse in a new travel destination and all it has to offer. The differentiating tastes, the aromas that surround you, the continuous sounds of everyday life, the feelings of objects foreign to what you are used to, and last but not least the entrancing sights. Meaningful travel to Shelby Sage Lisieski means that I become intertwined with the surroundings (living and inanimate), and to always have my five senses strapped to me at all times!

Feeling inspired yet?

Yeah, us too—these thoughts on travel get us pumped. Excuse us while we bite the bullet and actually book one of those Scott’s Cheap Travel flights…

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Why Do We Travel?

• Written by Nicolás Valencia
• Published on September 13, 2019

Everyone wants to travel the world, whether it's to meet new people, taste new food, or visit new places. Travel is consequently an extremely lucrative industry, but tourist destinations are getting more crowded than ever and associated pollution emissions are only worsening the climate emergency .

Why do we travel? In this edition of Editor's Talk , four editors from ArchDaily based in Lebanon, the United States, and Chile share their thoughts on the meaning of travel, and why tourists enjoying a beach in a location like Brazil should also care about the cities they visit.

Nicolas Valencia: Travel was June's Monthly Topic . Back then we published articles about architecture guides and travel-related typologies, but we didn't talk about the experience of traveling. What does travel mean to you?

Dima Stouhi : I was born and raised in Lebanon, but I'm moving to Switzerland next month. This will be the first time that I experience living abroad. Because Lebanon is so different from any other country, traveling is incredibly important for me to see how other people live and what other cultures are like.

Eric Baldwin: I often introduce myself by saying that I’m a farm kid from rural Iowa. My idea of the world, including different cultures and ways of working, was limited for much of my youth. In college, that worldview expanded greatly. I was able to study and travel around the world, in places like China, Italy, and Greece. I believe that context is everything; travel is one way to expand your context.

Christele Harrouk : I was born in Beirut too, coming from French roots, so It was always easier for me to travel, and it was always an option for me to live abroad. Nevertheless, I never opted for this choice: I did spend a couple of months here and there, but to me, the notion of home was more important. Traveling has opened my eyes to what this world holds, and it has also made me better appreciate what I had and took for granted.

Nicolas Valencia:  But it's still a luxury nowadays.

Eric Baldwin:  Travel has been priceless to me, but it’s also become terribly destructive to our environment. In many ways, it is a luxury. As Greta Thunberg showed when sailing across the Atlantic on a zero-emissions yacht, we have to come up with better ways to travel. Our current conditions are becoming more and more unsustainable.

Dima Stouhi:  Traveling is definitely a luxury now. Especially for people who need visas to travel, like me.

If you travel, you are a loser

Nicolas Valencia: In June we published an article titled The Age of Travel is Over . The author says that "if you travel to earn your living, you are a loser. If you travel to see places, or to learn, you are an enemy of the planet."

Eric Baldwin: I think it was meant to be a sort of provocation. Travel is still so important, but that doesn't mean there aren't better ways to travel. Or that we shouldn't continue to imagine new modes of connection that bring us together and expand our context without harming the environment.

Christele Harrouk:  Traveling is a pure form of learning, possibly the most genuine way of getting information, but I always go back to the idea that if you don't do anything with these experiences, they become useless and the whole process becomes futile in a way. The more I meet people, the more I discover that a lot of them, who pretend to roam the globe, are so closed into themselves.

Dima Stouhi:  The idea of traveling is different now. People want to travel to show everyone that they traveled or just for the sake of traveling. There isn't much thought to what they harm along the way.

Nicolas Valencia:  Dima has a point. Traveling has become a sort of meta-traveling:  visit  a place to say you visited a place.  I'm very critical of those who don't learn anything from traveling, but then, I think, "Why should they experience it the same way I do?"

Dima Stouhi:  That's the thing, it's a matter of perspective. I doubt that people "never learn" from traveling. Regardless of how different each individual is, at least one experience, building, or even meal is going to get stuck in their head. It's just a matter of what people are paying attention to while traveling.

Eric Baldwin:  We travel to work, to discover, to connect with family or friends, to get the perfect Instagram post, to escape. As long as we continue to question why, and whether we are doing so responsibly, I think travel will continue to have meaning. Beyond location, I think being a "good" vs. a "bad" tourist is part responsibility and part perspective. If you travel to escape your daily life and enjoy a beach in Brazil, but you don’t care to learn about the city, people, or culture you visit, is that inherently bad? Again, it’s a matter of context.

Cities for rich tourists

Nicolas Valencia: Bloomberg published a chart on Instagram a few days ago explaining that "tourist destinations are only going to get more crowded," especially in Europe. We recently saw Venice ban large cruises from its historical center . How do we think other cities are going to deal with tourism?

Dima Stouhi:  I support Venice's decision. I went to Vatican City last year in August. I remember at one point I just wanted to leave because of how crowded it was. We couldn't even stop for one second to look around us. There was no place to stand in the Sistine Chapel. It's sad.

Eric Baldwin:  It’s a tricky thing. It’s tied to preservation: when does saving something relegate it to becoming frozen, functionless scenery? Again, I go back to context. What does tourism give to a city, and what does it take away? Does heritage have a part to play? No city remains the same, and in turn, tourism and travel have to change too.

Dima Stouhi:  But Eric, the way we see it, preservation comes first because we know and appreciate the value of historical sites. The majority of people don't.

Eric Baldwin:  I question the value of historical sites. How do we measure relevance or heritage? Why are the pyramids worth preserving? It’s a question — and battle — of values and those things that define us. In turn, it’s directly related to why we travel.

Nicolas Valencia:  Countries such as Spain rely strongly on tourism — the industry accounts for around 13% of its GDP. It's hard to regulate if your city's economy relies so strongly on tourism. Anyway, I'd assume that restricting access to tourists will eventually punish middle-class tourists. 

Christele Harrouk:  Well, I'm not sure about this. Maybe not restrict accesses but make them more organized.

Dima Stouhi:  I don't believe that increasing prices and limiting access to rich tourists is the way to solve it. I think it's like what Christele said: it's how governments organize it that might make a difference.

Christele Harrouk:  This is the responsibility of the cities: they have to advertise different areas. It's not difficult, but they just don't take the initiative. Changes in marketing strategies can indirectly reduce the concentration of tourists in one place and divide it into many regions, making new areas grow and develop as well.

Nicolas Valencia:  If I'm going to Venice, I'm going to visit downtown, not a peripheral neighborhood.

Christele Harrouk:  But if there is a Zaha Hadid building in the periphery, you will go there, and spend less time downtown.

I Love City Branding

Nicolas Valencia:  We have been talking about Europe, but what about Latin America? Africa? Asia? Have you visited these regions?

Dima Stouhi:  Dream destinations, big budgets!

Nicolas Valencia:  In Latin America, we are more interested in visiting Europe and the US, rather than our own region. This is despite the fact that airfare has plummeted in this region, so it's cheaper than ever to travel across Latin America.

Christele Harrouk:  This may be global, but don't you think this is where city branding comes in hand?

Nicolas Valencia:  Sure, city branding defines what we think about them. But one thing that freaks me out about traveling is that after spending a week abroad, people think they gain a certain power to explain what a whole country is like. We each have different backgrounds of emotions, ideas, and expectations, so a gay man visiting a city after breaking up might have a totally different experience from a heterosexual woman who meets a guy in that same city. Each person's visions of the same city are completely unique, which means these narratives can't be universal.. 

Dima Stouhi:  I think these assumptions are a normal human reaction. Whatever is different from what they usually see, they pin-point it as if it were a flaw..

Eric Baldwin:  I think that's a very hard thing to change. You inherently have more perspective than someone who has never been there, but at the same time, you have an inherently limited understanding as well. I think the after-visit stereotypes will continue to happen, as Identity is always tied to travel and context. How that context is shaped happens in a myriad of ways, and defines who we are.

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Understanding the Distinction: Travel, Trip, and Journey Explained

Zackary Hooper

Ever find yourself scratching your head over when to use ‘travel’, ‘trip’, or ‘journey’? Me too. In fact, these terms are commonly misused by even the most well-traveled folks among us.

Table of Contents

As an English language aficionado and travel enthusiast, I dove deep into linguistic resources to clear up this confusion once and for all. This blog will guide you through the nuances of these three words , helping you navigate your way to flawless English usage in any travel context .

Ready for departure?

Key Takeaways

• Travel refers to going to a place, especially far away.
• Trip involves traveling from one place to another, usually for a short period of time.
• Journey implies traveling from one place to another without necessarily returning.
• Proper usage of these terms is essential in effectively conveying our experiences.

Definition and Differences between Travel, Trip, and Journey

Travel is a verb that means going to a place, especially far away, while trip refers to the process of traveling from one place to another, usually for a short time. Journey, on the other hand, implies traveling from one place to another without necessarily returning.

Travel as a verb meaning to go to a place, especially far away

Travel, as a verb, emphasizes the act of moving from one location to another. This movement often involves significant distance between the two points. For instance, you might say you are traveling to Europe or Asia from America – places that are undoubtedly quite far from each other.

Notably, travel doesn’t always require a return trip; it merely notes the action of going somewhere far . Even voyages into space can be considered travel! So next time you utter “I love to travel,” note that this phrase speaks volumes about your passion for exploring distant destinations and embracing new experiences on a broader geographic scale .

Trip as the process of traveling from one place to another, usually for a short time

When we talk about a trip, we’re referring to the act of traveling from one place to another. It’s usually for a short period of time and involves moving between different locations .

Think of it as going on a vacation or taking a quick getaway. A trip can be as short as a day or extend over several days, but it generally doesn’t involve staying in one place for an extended period.

So whether you’re heading out on a road trip with friends or catching a flight to explore new cities, remember that a trip is all about the process of getting from point A to point B , enjoying the journey along the way.

Journey as traveling from one place to another, not necessarily returning

A journey is all about the experience of traveling from one place to another, without the expectation of returning . It can be a long and exciting adventure, with multiple destinations along the way.

Unlike a trip or travel, which often involves going somewhere and then coming back, a journey implies forward movement and exploration . It’s like embarking on a voyage of discovery, where you’re eager to see what lies ahead and open to new experiences.

Whether it’s backpacking through Europe or sailing around the world, a journey offers endless possibilities for exploration and self-discovery .

Common Uses and Examples of Travel, Trip, and Journey

– Travel: “I love traveling to different countries , experiencing new cultures and exploring exotic destinations.

– Trip: “We took a weekend trip to the beach, enjoying sun-kissed days and relaxing by the seaside.”

– Journey: “His journey across the desert was filled with challenges and self-discovery as he embarked on a soul-searching adventure.”

Travel: “I love to travel to different countries.”

I absolutely adore exploring different countries . Experiencing new cultures, trying unique cuisines , and immersing myself in unfamiliar landscapes is what makes travel so thrilling for me.

Whether it’s wandering through ancient ruins in Greece or hiking through the vibrant jungles of Costa Rica, I find immense joy in venturing beyond my comfort zone and discovering all that the world has to offer.

Travel opens my eyes to different perspectives and allows me to create lasting memories that I cherish forever.

Trip: “We went on a business trip to New York.”

Last week, I had the opportunity to go on a business trip to New York . It was an exciting experience that allowed me to explore the bustling city and meet with important clients . During the trip, we visited various companies , attended conferences , and even had some time to enjoy the sights and sounds of New York.

Being able to immerse myself in a different environment for a short period of time was both refreshing and educational. Overall, it was a successful trip that helped us strengthen our professional relationships and achieve our business goals.

Journey: “His journey around the world took him three years.”

I embarked on a three-year journey around the world, exploring new cultures and experiencing incredible adventures along the way. From bustling cities to remote villages, my journey allowed me to immerse myself in different landscapes and meet fascinating people from all walks of life.

It was a transformative experience that broadened my horizons and shaped my perspective on the world.

Clarifying Misuses of Travel, Trip, and Journey

Many people mistakenly use the term “travel” for short distances, but it should be reserved for going to faraway places. To understand the proper usage of these words, read on!

Incorrect uses of travel: “He traveled to the grocery store.”

Using the word “travel” to describe a short trip to the grocery store is incorrect. Travel usually refers to going to a distant place, especially far away. So, it’s important to use this term appropriately and not for everyday local trips like grocery stores.

Proper uses of the terms: “I traveled to Europe.”

I traveled to Europe for my summer vacation. It was an exciting travel experience filled with new cultures, delicious food, and breathtaking sights. The proper use of the term “travel” in this context refers to going somewhere far away , especially to a different country or continent .

In this case, I embarked on an adventure from my home country to Europe, immersing myself in each destination’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Traveling to Europe broadened my horizons and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Understanding the Nuances between Travel, Trip, and Journey

Travel, trip, and journey may seem similar, but they each have their own nuances. Read on to delve deeper into the distinctions between these terms and how to use them correctly in your everyday conversations.

Travel focuses on the action of going to a distant place.

Travel allows us to embark on exciting journeys to faraway destinations. It is the act of physically moving from one place to another , often to distant locations . Whether it’s exploring a new country , immersing ourselves in different cultures , or experiencing thrilling adventures , travel is all about the exhilarating action of venturing beyond our comfort zones .

So pack your bags and get ready for an incredible journey filled with unforgettable experiences!

Trip emphasizes the process of traveling and staying in a place.

A trip is all about the journey itself and the experience of being in a specific place . It focuses on the process of traveling from one location to another, while also emphasizing the time spent staying in that particular place.

Whether you’re taking a short weekend trip to a nearby city or embarking on a week-long vacation, a trip is about immersing yourself in new surroundings and enjoying everything that destination has to offer.

Journey implies a longer and more significant travel experience.

When embarking on a journey, you can expect a more extensive and meaningful travel experience . Unlike a simple trip or travel, a journey often involves exploring multiple destinations or pursuing a specific purpose .

It encompasses the idea of venturing into the unknown and embracing new challenges along the way. Whether it’s an epic road trip across several countries or a spiritual pilgrimage to sacred sites, a journey offers an opportunity for personal growth and transformation .

It allows you to immerse yourself in different cultures , navigate unfamiliar terrain, and create lasting memories. So if you’re seeking an adventure that goes beyond mere transportation from point A to point B, set out on a journey that will take you further and leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Conclusion and Importance of Using the Correct Terms

Understanding the distinctions between travel , trip, and journey is crucial in accurately conveying our experiences . By using these terms correctly, we can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion .

So whether we’re embarking on a short trip or a life-changing journey , let’s remember to use the right words to describe our adventures ! Keep exploring and keep traveling!

1. What is the difference between travel, trip, and journey?

Travel refers to the act of going from one place to another, while a trip is a specific instance of traveling for a particular purpose or destination. A journey, on the other hand, implies a longer and more meaningful experience that may involve personal growth or transformation.

2. Can you give examples of each term – travel, trip, and journey?

Sure! Travel can include activities like flying to a different country or taking a road trip across states. A trip could be going on vacation to Disneyland or visiting family over the holidays. And a journey might involve backpacking through Europe for several months or embarking on a spiritual retreat.

3. Is there any overlap between these terms?

Yes, there can be some overlap between these terms depending on context. For example, someone’s “trip” may also be considered their “journey” if it involves self-discovery or exploration. Similarly, long-term travel experiences may encompass both the notions of “travel” and “journey.”

4. How does understanding the distinction between these terms help in communication?

Understanding the distinction between travel, trip, and journey helps in effective communication as it allows us to accurately describe our experiences and intentions when discussing our travels with others. It provides clarity and avoids confusion by using appropriate terminology when sharing stories or making plans involving different types of travel experiences.

About the author

I’ve been fortunate to visit over fifty countries, each journey leaving a unique footprint on my life’s map. From bustling cities to serene nature trails, I’ve immersed myself in different cultures and experiences, constantly broadening my understanding of the world. On this site, I share my travel stories, tips, and insights, hoping to inspire others to embark on their own journeys. Join me as we uncover the beauty of our planet, one adventure at a time. Please reach out here if you need to get in touch.

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• It allows you to meet new people and maybe make new friends (or lovers).
• You can get inspired for your next big project or idea – when you’re traveling, your brain is constantly looking for new ideas, and it’s much easier to come up with something on vacation than when you’re working at home every day!
• It helps you relax after a long day at work or school – it gives your mind and body a break from all the usual stressors!
• Travel is an education.
• It makes you more responsible.
• It makes you a better cook (if you like to cook!)
• Traveling teaches you how to deal with unexpected events and situations
• Traveling teaches you to be flexible and adaptable.
• It’s worth it because it gives you a new perspective on life.
• It helps us discover new passions and learn more about ourselves.
• It’ll open up new opportunities for you at home. Once you’ve been abroad, certain things won’t seem so foreign to you – like riding public transportation or ordering food at restaurants – which means less stress when you return home and face those challenges again.
• Traveling helps you see the world in a new way.
• It creates special memories.
• It makes life more enjoyable.
• Travel helps you grow as a person
• It encourages us to try new things
• Travel helps break the monotony of everyday life by giving us something new to look forward to every day!

Travel Isn’t for Everyone

Traveling takes time and requires you to save money for your trip cost. If you don’t have time, it’s not worth it. If you don’t have money, it’s not worth it either. But if both are true, travel is one of the best ways to spend your free time.

Being a traveler isn’t for everyone, but if you do it right, it can be a great way to spend your free time.

I’m not saying that everyone who travels does it right – there are plenty of people who travel and get nothing out of it – but if you’re going to travel, or if you’re thinking about taking a trip soon, there are a few things that I think will make it more worthwhile:

Travel Off-Season if You Can

Tourist destinations are usually expensive any time of year – but they’re especially expensive in the summer when everyone else is on vacation. If you can arrange it, go in the off-season (or at least a less popular time), and buy your plane ticket for that time. You’ll save money on hotel rooms and restaurants, have fewer crowds, and have more opportunities to experience the city from a local’s perspective.

Take a Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is good for travel protection and can protect you from many unexpected situations during an international trip. For example, good travel insurance acts as baggage insurance and covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, theft, and damage to personal belongings. Travel insurance policies often also cover trip interruption. Sometimes, a travel insurance policy can provide cancellation coverage for flight cancellations if you become ill before your departure date, your airline ceases operations, or a natural disaster occurs at your destination before you leave.

Ensure you read your insurance policy carefully; for example, I’ve noticed that even American Express doesn’t cover some sports and activities.

Don’t Try to Do Too Much at Once

Trying to do too much on vacation is one of the quickest ways to ruin your experience. It’s better to spend more time in one place than rushing from place to place to make sure you see everything on your list. If you want to see everything on your list, keep returning until you’ve seen it all.

Don’t Try to See Everything

One of my favorite things about traveling is visiting places I would never have visited (like Vienna). The problem with this is that it’s easy to forget how lucky we’re to be able to afford a vacation in the first place. So instead of trying too hard, take a little time in each city to wander around and explore what’s on offer. And remember, even if you only get to spend a day in a new place, the experience can be worth it!

Take a Break From Technology

We live in a time when we’re constantly connected to our devices, but when that connection overwhelms us, we can easily feel that our lives have no meaning outside those devices. When we travel, we should be mindful of what we do online and how much time we spend on our devices daily. There’s nothing wrong with taking occasional breaks from work or checking email while traveling, but if you’re obsessed with social media, you may not enjoy your trip as much.

Pay for Experiences Instead of Things

This is one of my favorite pieces of advice from Derek Sivers. Don’t spend your money on souvenirs or knickknacks; spend it on experiences. When you get home, you’ll have something great to show your friends, and you’ll remember your trip much better than if you have a bunch of cheap knickknacks.

Take Something Home With You

This could be a souvenir t-shirt, a keychain from your favorite place, or even an item from another culture (like a Buddha from Thailand). It doesn’t have to be expensive – just something that reminds you of where you’ve been and what makes those places special.

Travel Isn’t a Waste of Money

For me, travel isn’t a waste of money. It’s an investment that pays off in many ways.

Travel is a great way to learn about the world, yourself, and others. It can also help you figure out who you’re and what your life is about. It’s a chance to see things through different eyes and learn something new about yourself every time you travel.

Travel Is Important Because It Helps Us Get Out of Our Comfort Zone and See Things From Someone Else’s Point of View

When we travel, we see how other people live, what they do in their free time, how they eat, etc. We meet new people and learn more about their culture and beliefs. We also learn about new places and see firsthand how other cultures live compared to ours.

Traveling gives you a new perspective on life because it allows you to understand points of view other than your own, so you can be more tolerant of other people’s opinions, even if they differ from yours. Traveling allows us to develop empathy for people from other countries worldwide, which helps us be more accepting of unfamiliar situations, such as cultural differences or language barriers.

Why I Prefer Travel to Luxury Goods

Luxury goods can be substituted, but experiences are unique. Travel is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences one can have. I’ve been traveling for nearly two decades and have never been disappointed.

I’m not saying you should never buy luxury items, but it’s about knowing when to spend and when to save.

Here are some reasons why people prefer to travel rather than buy luxury items:

• The anticipation of travel. We all know the feeling when we book our next vacation. It’s like Christmas every time we look forward to a new destination or activity on our trip. That feeling doesn’t stop when you arrive at your destination either – it lasts throughout your trip!
• The memories you collect on a trip are priceless! You may not remember what hotel you stayed in or what restaurant you ate at on your last international trip. Still, you’ll always remember the stories you experienced on your trip and the people who accompanied you along the way!

Travel Is an Investment in Your Well-Being

When I think about how much I spend on travel, I’m always surprised at how much money it saves me. When you’re on the road and exploring new places, you spend less money on shopping trips or eating out. You’re also more likely to make healthy choices when you travel because you want to enjoy your experience as much as possible. Travel helps us keep our long-term goals in mind and motivates us to save more money for future travel!

Travel Can Be Cheaper Than Buying Luxury Items

The biggest misconception about travel is that it’s expensive – but that’s not necessarily true! If you do your research beforehand and plan accordingly, it may cost some money, but it’s worth every penny, considering the knowledge and memories you take away from the experience.

I’ve Never Regretted Spending Money on Travel

I love to travel. I’ve traveled worldwide, and it’s the best investment ever made. It’s helped me grow as a person and opened my eyes to the beauty of this planet, especially during solo travel.

Traveling has taught me so many important life lessons: how to be more independent, how to handle different situations (including emergencies), how to be more open-minded to others, etc. It’s also helped me develop a sense of adventure that’s allowed me to discover who I am on the inside – something we all need from time to time.

I know some people say they don’t like to travel because it takes too much time, money, effort, or whatever they think gets in the way of their travel plans. Still, I think all of those factors are worth it because when you take a trip or a vacation, you’ll remember it for years to come, and it becomes a part of your life experience.

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Is Traveling Really Worth Spending Money On? 10 Brilliant Reasons Why Travel is Worth Taking a Trip

Travel Tips

Marcus Shen

Content writer

August 30, 2023

Traveling the world is often seen as a luxury reserved for the wealthy. But is spending money on travel really worth it? Today we'll explore why investing in travel experiences can be one of the best uses of your hard-earned cash.

Why Spend Money on Travel At All?

With so many expenses in daily life, you may think spending money on a plane ticket or international trip seems frivolous. But experiences like travel often provide more lasting satisfaction than material things like gadgets or clothing. Here are 10 key reasons why travel is worth spending your money on:

1. Pushes You Outside Your Comfort Zone

Travel inevitably pushes you outside your comfort zone, whether it's navigating a new city, trying unfamiliar foods, or speaking a different language. Facing new situations creates resilience and self-confidence.

2. Provides New Perspectives

Exploring new destinations gives you fresh perspectives on everything from history and architecture to cultural values and politics. These insights make you a more open-minded, empathetic, and well-rounded person.

3. Creates Memories That Last a Lifetime

Years after a trip, vivid memories of experiences like hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or eating pasta in an Italian piazza stick with you. Scientific research shows we prioritize experiences over material goods when remembering our lives.

4. Allows You to Meet New People

Backpacking through hostels, you'll meet locals and fellow travelers from around the world. These new friendships enhance your personal life and professional network.

5. Makes You Appreciate Home More

After witnessing different lifestyles and living conditions abroad, most travelers return home with a fresh appreciation of the conveniences and freedoms they enjoy back home.

6. Provides Chances to Learn

From a Spanish cooking class in Mexico to a forest tour in Borneo, travel offers endless opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge while having fun. This lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp.

7. Helps Recharge and Relax

All travelers need a break from the routines of work or school. A relaxing beach vacation or active eco-adventure can provide physical and mental rejuvenation to prevent stress and burnout.

8. Opens Up a World of Inspiration

The sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of new destinations inevitably spark creative inspiration. Amazing art, writing, photography, and innovation arise from the influences of travel.

9. Allows You to Appreciate Diverse Cultures

Immersing yourself in Japan, India, Peru, or other countries gives you an experiential education about diverse philosophies, religions, arts, and ways of life. This cross-cultural understanding builds global citizenship.

10. Creates Lasting Impactful Memories

Travel often brings out our best selves. The challenges of travel help identify what's most meaningful to you, creating lasting memories you'll cherish forever.

How Much Should You Spend on Travel?

Deciding how much to spend on your next trip is a very personal choice based on your budget and travel style. Here are some tips for keeping travel costs reasonable without sacrificing experiences:

• Prioritize experiences over luxury. An eco-lodge in the rainforest can provide a more rewarding experience than an overpriced resort. And public transportation allows you to interact with locals.
• Travel outside peak tourist seasons. Visiting Europe in shoulder season can save 30% or more on airfare and hotels.
• Consider alternatives to hotels. Local homestays, apartments, and hostels provide more cultural immersion for much lower costs.
• Cook your own meals. Grocery shopping in a local market is an adventure that saves over dining out for every meal.
• Use budget airlines. Providers like JetBlue, Southwest, and RyanAir offer deals, especially on short-haul routes.
• Take advantage of deals. Sign up for fare alerts, hotel apps, and daily deal sites for the best rates. Loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy also offer free nights.

How much you should spend depends on your travel priorities. If trying local cuisine or unique tours is important, allocate more for activities. If you just need simple accommodations, traveling on a shoestring budget is very feasible.

10 Questions to Consider Before Booking Your Next Trip

Before spending any money, reflect on these key questions to decide if a trip is worth it for you:

1. Why Do You Want to Take This Particular Trip?

Clearly identifying your motivation will determine if a trip is worth the investment. Do you want to relax on a beach, sample local cuisine, or learn about historical sights? Match the trip to your primary travel goals.

2. Will This Destination Provide New Experiences?

Avoid spending money to visit a place very similar to previous trips. Seeking a new culture or landscape ensures your money goes towards new activities and perspectives.

3. Do You Have Time to Properly Experience the Destination?

Rushing around a new place in a few days leads to stress instead of satisfaction. Make sure you can spend enough time to soak in the vibe and see key sights without feeling rushed.

4. Will Your Health and Physical Ability Allow You to Enjoy the Trip?

Be realistic about whether you can hike to Machu Picchu's Sun Gate or walk everywhere in a European city before spending money you can't take full advantage of.

5. Are You Prepared to Travel Responsibly and Ethically?

From pollution to insensitive photography, travelers can unintentionally damage destinations. Read up on sustainable travel tips specific to the location you're visiting.

6. Does the Destination Align with Your Values?

Avoid places with business practices you disagree with morally. And select locations that provide authentic cultural immersion you appreciate.

7. Are There Hidden Costs or Risks?

Research visa fees, transportation costs between cities, and travel advisories before you go to avoid unexpected expenses or safety issues. Travel insurance also provides coverage.

8. Is This a Good Value Compared to Alternatives?

Comparison shop to make sure excursions, tours, and accommodations provide the best value compared to similar offerings in the region.

9. Can You Afford This Trip Without Financial Stress?

While travel is a worthy investment, never spend so much that you'll struggle to pay bills or save afterwards. Only splurge within your budget.

10. Would Your Money Be Better Spent Elsewhere?

Consider whether investing the money or using it towards loans, your retirement, or family needs make more financial sense for you currently. There’s always time for travel later.

Key Takeaways on Why Travel is Worth the Money

• Memorable experiences from travel provide joy long after material purchases are forgotten.
• Facing new cultures and adventures leads to invaluable personal growth and perspective.
• Investing in travel helps people gain knowledge, relax, reconnect, and explore passions.
• While travel can seem expensive, budget-savvy tips help keep costs reasonable.
• The value of a trip depends on your personal travel motivations and destination.
• Weigh your financial tradeoffs before purchasing to invest in travel wisely.

In summary, travel is absolutely worth spending your hard-earned money on for the lasting memories, impact on your outlook and opportunities, and profound experiences it provides. Smart budgeting allows you to prioritize investing in trips that promise life-changing insights and joy. Stop putting it off - the right destination awaits you.

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Hi there! My name is Marcus, and I'm thrilled to be a Content Writer at Arctrav.

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What exactly is luxury travel in 2023 — and is it worth it?

What exactly is luxury travel? Ask any group of travelers what constitutes a luxury vacation, and chances are they'll all give you a different answer.

For some, a luxury escape means private jets, personalized pajamas and in-room massages. For others, it's about seeing rare wild animals in far-flung places or eating in the world's hardest-to-book restaurants. Depending who you ask, it may be less about location or logistics and more about how much cash you drop, for expensive equals luxe.

The point is: Luxury travel may seem obvious, but it's actually a slippery concept.

With the explosion of the so-called "experience economy," the true definition of luxury travel is becoming increasingly harder to pin down. Despite this, the estimated value of the global luxury travel sector is set to double in the next decade, from $1.3 trillion in 2022 to $2.7 trillion in 2032, according to market research company Market.us .

"The idea of luxury, as we understand it today, is a relatively new concept," Giorgio Riello said. Riello is professor of global history and culture at the University of Warwick and author of the book "Luxury: A Rich History."

"Once upon a time, it was only the rich bourgeois who could aim to own something better. [But now] there is more disposable income around than ever. And while being marketed products [and experiences] that promise to be better than average is not quite unprecedented, what is new is the scale at which it's done."

Is this new brand of luxury travel still just about exorbitantly high prices and the type of Champagne in the minibar or is it something much more ethereal? And, crucially, is it worth the inevitably high asking price or are we being sold a Tinkerbell-esque ideal by savvy marketers that will only survive and prosper for as long as we truly believe in it?

The hunt for external life

"Luxury has become a very overused word [in the travel business]," says publicist Jo Vickers, one of the best-known names in the world of exclusive travel and lifestyle PR. "The meaning of luxury has become so confusing, so simply throwing buzzwords at consumers no longer cuts it."

That's why Vickers primarily uses the word "exclusive" when describing her clients. Her company, JV Public Relations, looks after some of the world's most prestigious hotels, resorts and spas around the globe; this includes The Mark Hotel in New York, The Brando in Tahiti, Palazzo Avino on Italy's Amalfi Coast and D Maris Bay in Turkey.

For Vickers, a truly luxurious hotel stay is based on a spectrum of factors including "timeless value, craftsmanship, exclusivity, rarity, quality, heritage, aesthetic, responsibility and innovation." But on top of that, says Vickers, "I think the equation of luxury is a feeling, a belief, a lifestyle and above all an experience we desire."

Ten Lifestyle Group , one of the world's leading luxury lifestyle services, is perhaps better placed than most to shed light on the extravagant experiences we most desire. With annual memberships starting at 4,500 British pounds ($5,680), Ten prides itself on its ability to open doors that its ultra-wealthy clients cannot; it serves as a kind of gatekeeper to spectacular opportunities. For CEO Alex Cheatle, the kind of luxury his clients long for is divided into two distinct strands: internal and external.

Related: Inside the bonkers world of luxury holiday fixing for the super-rich

"Internal luxury is how something makes you feel," he tells TPG. "When you feel complete, content and 'in the moment' because of an extraordinary view looking down on Machu Picchu as you come over the final pass, as you taste the amuse bouche cooked for you by a top chef or when you feel the crisp Egyptian cotton sheets as you collapse onto the bed of a wonderful hotel after a long flight."

External luxury, on the other hand, is "how something allows you to socially compete."

"It's reserving the table at the restaurant that everyone is trying to book but can't get," according to Cheatle. "It's being recognized and upgraded at the hotel because of who you are. It's about having the best seats at a sold-out show that others wanted to see but couldn't. It's about arriving by helicopter at the Grand Prix and avoiding the awful traffic you can see from the air."

Of course, there is a relationship between internal and external luxury but which one comes first, he explains, often depends on whom you're justifying it to. "We use the language of inner luxury, even when our desire is driven by the social cachet of outer luxury." Put simply says Cheatle, " Most of us say we went to the restaurant [just] to try the food."

The experience era

In 2023, the seas are changing.

Luxury travel is no longer exclusively for celebrities, tycoons and heirs to multimillion-dollar dog food empires. With a rise in disposable incomes for some and a shift in priorities for others, the luxe market is swiftly becoming more and more attainable to those who aspire or splurge for it.

Millennials are 23% more interested in exploring the world than older generations, and they make up 20% of all international tourists, according to research by Boston Consulting Group . Right behind millennials is a whole new generation even hungrier to see the world. This age group was raised on individualism, independence and Instagram, and for them, authenticity and shareability are key to a meaningful life.

"In the younger market — the Gen Z's and millennials — they've grown up with everything," explains Vickers. "Whether they've got money or not, they've had exposure to [the idea of luxury] through the media for most of their lives, and their relationship with the concept of luxury is very different to that of older generations."

This new set of big spenders is not splashing out on art or beautiful furniture. Instead, Vickers says they're spending on experiences, "Their money is going to go on a great holiday rather than collectible items because they're too busy chasing experiences and something interesting to do with their lives."

For evidence, take the rise of the luxury travel influencer. In recent years, the #luxurytravel market has grown exponentially across social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok house a growing circle of influencers jet-setting around the world to take selfies on yachts or in high-end hotels while extolling the sweet joys of the #highlife.

"Before [luxury travel] may have felt unreachable to some," Laura Picken, director of loyalty and brand partnerships at luxury hotel group Hyatt , said. "But through social [media], we see travelers of all ages, cultures and backgrounds staying at all levels of hotels and being able to unlock experiences that were previously thought unattainable."

In 2021, a Statista survey found that 84% of U.S. adults consulted travel influencers for trip recommendations.

"We're seeing more travel influencers showcasing luxury experiences to their audiences," Jade Broadus, vice president of influencer marketing agency Travel Mindset , said. "[That means] the experiences, the hotels, the adventures that are luxury now have a much bigger audience and shouldn't be reserved for only a select group of people."

The 'storification' of travel

It isn't just social-savvy youngsters splashing out.

"We have a lot of clients who are young at heart. And they are increasingly asking for incredible bucket-list experiences as much as glamorous hotel stays," says Emma de Vadder, the U.K PR director for Black Tomato — one of an expanding legion of luxury tour operators.

De Vadder said she has noticed a marked shift in recent years in what people want from luxury holidays.

"Luxury travel is no longer just about being able to brag that you stayed in a five-star hotel," she said. "It's about telling people about an amazing person that you met, or that you got involved in a community project, or you've had a really special animal encounter, or seen a natural phenomenon."

Related: Luxury travel agent reveals 7 tips for traveling in style without it costing the earth

Black Tomato is at the vanguard of this exploding "experience market", which it says has seen a boom in what the company refers to as the "storification" of luxury travel.

"With 'storification,' we're seeing more travelers embracing characters and narratives as they explore the world, immersing themselves in sprawling imaginative worlds plucked from the silver screen or the pages of their favorite novel," the company's founder Tom Marchant said.

One of Black Tomato's latest showcase packages, for example, is a 60,000 pounds ($75,730) per person, 12-night adventure called "The Assignment: Europe," curated in partnership with James Bond overlords Eon Productions.

This bespoke package includes a speedboat ride down London's River Thames with a stuntwoman from "The World Is Not Enough,"; dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower with 1980s Bond actress ​​Carole Ashby; a poker lesson from the Texas Hold'em consultant used for "Casino Royale" at Casino de Monte-Carlo; water skiing on Italy's Lake Como; and a private yacht tour of the Venetian Lagoon in Venice, Italy.

"We've seen a 30% increase in interest in these narrativized approaches to the world," Marchant said. "Blending fact and fiction, this is travel with all the drama and intrigue of the world's most enduring movies, novels, myths and legends."

Other Black Tomato experience packages include a "globe-crossing adventure inspired by the life and travels of Agatha Christie;" a "Jungle-Book"-inspired family holiday to India; a "Karate Kid"-inspired martial arts itinerary in Japan; and a series of low-carbon-footprint "slow travel" trips on trains, horses, boats or hot air balloons in remote parts of the world.

Is a 12-night getaway in 007 heavens worth shelling out $75,730? You could quite feasibly create a similar itinerary (minus the impressive movie connections) for much less, but as de Vadder points out, that misses the point.

"Part of a luxury experience is having somebody else take care of everything for you," she said. "It's attention to detail and, above all, personalization. We know that a lot of our clients work very hard, so their holiday should not feel like work of any kind."

Related: Travel company Elsewhere is making authentic and local travel easier than ever

Responsible riches

If luxury travelers choose experiences over glamorous hotel stays, as de Vadder suggests, what are luxury hotels doing to keep up?

Hyatt and Marriott are two of the world's largest luxury hotel brands, and both are working hard to stay relevant in this fast-changing world.

"Research tells us that luxury is increasingly about conscious consumption as opposed to conspicuous consumption," Picken said. "This shift means our guests are making decisions not based on the cost or the cache of a luxury brand, but on whether it fulfills their aspirational needs."

As a result, Hyatt has diversified its offerings to cater to a range of luxury tastes.

"[All our luxury brands] are distinct and differentiated, built on insights on what luxury means to our guests: from the classic and timeless luxury espoused by Park Hyatt — with its focus on culinary excellence, art and architecture — to Alila, where 'bare-foot luxury' means a focus on being in harmony with the natural environment and the local community," Picken added.

Related: Hyatt is doubling down on luxury while its competitors focus on budget hotels

Neal Jones, chief sales and marketing officer for Marriott International, tells TPG that today's luxury consumers seek experiences that "allow for the pursuit of one's passions, help spark personal growth, and have a purpose beyond comfort and pampering."

"Luxury is entering a new era of regeneration, driven by a maturing set of desires, tastes, and aspirations," says Jones. "Guests want to foster a deeper connection to the places they visit, getting to know people, history, food, and the culture of a place, in addition to seeking out experiences that focus on holistic well-being as well as those that emphasize relationship building. These are things that are valuable beyond a price point."

Marriott International, for its part, has recently launched its ​​first luxury safari resort, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge , which donates a percentage of its nightly rate to several local community wildlife conservation programs. In turn, those programs offer all kinds of experiences to guests, including guided safaris in search of the Big Five: lions, leopards, black rhinos, African bush elephants and African buffaloes.

The Kenyan lodge is home to 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites. It also has a restaurant, a lounge, a bar, a spa and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits. All-inclusive rates start at $1,450 per night and climb to around $3,800 during peak season.

The aesthetic of aspiration

None of this means how a luxury hotel looks isn't important.

According to Katherine Pooley , one of the world's most revered interior designers, aesthetic beauty will always be a key component of a luxury setting.

"The most truly luxurious objects, homes or experiences are unusual, one-of-a-kind, and memorably beautiful," she said. "To stand the test of time, true luxury needs to be crafted with great care, created from the highest quality components, have an original viewpoint, and most importantly of all — it must be beautiful."

Pooley's projects range in scale and style, from hotels and luxury spas to beach villas, ski chalets, palaces and castles. Recently, she completed the motorsport-themed Cachet Boutique Zhejiang Racetrack Hotel in China (which has its own private racetrack), where she commissioned a coffee table carved out of a crashed racing car.

For Pooley, the thing that elevates an interior from the ordinary to the luxurious is "intricate joinery, bespoke hand-crafted pieces of furniture, commissioned and curated artworks and sculptors, and rare, beautiful finishes."

The same ethos is apparent in modern private jets , where design increasingly focuses on ensuring a luxury holiday begins the second you step on board.

"We often refer to our aviation projects as flying homes," Greig Jolly, aviation partner at Winch design studio, said. "Increasingly, our clients wish to create a seamless experience between their home, car, yacht, jet, etc. Not a repeat environment, but a consistency of quality, service and experience. So an 'apartment in the sky' — rather than simply a means of transportation — is absolutely the expectation."

Look at the aviation portfolio page of Winch's website, and you'll see what he means: neon-lit black marble bathrooms, mohair seat lining, leather sofas, bronze-like leopard sculptures and enough mirrors to make Narcissus blush. The studio's designs look more like something you'd find in an Upper East Side Manhattan penthouse than a plane cabin.

But does a luxurious experience actually cost more to make? Of course it does, but that's not what makes it luxurious, according to Carla El-Samra, managing director at VIP aviation design agency F/List Middle East.

"The high price of luxury means skilled craftsmen and the extra care that goes into each finish," she said. "But yes, it is something more; it's about the sensory and tactile feel of each surface and the overall smell of entering a space. A silk carpet will look and feel softer and more luxurious than a 100% wool carpet. But then again, maybe the customer just prefers wool?"

Memory is the new luxe

So, what is the future of luxury travel?

For almost everyone TPG spoke to, the idea of luxury is no longer focused on overt displays of wealth and extravagance. Rather, it is about evaluating what truly brings people happiness — and providing the 24-carat version of whatever that means. The catalyst that thrust this notion most sharply into focus will come as no surprise: the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Being stuck at home for nearly two years brought back the burning desire to travel and create meaningful experiences and unforgettable memories," says Lucia Penrod, CEO of Nikki Beach, a global lifestyle hospitality company with beach clubs, hotels and resorts in such places as Miami Beach, Florida; Dubai; Ibiza, Spain; and Monte Carlo, Monaco. "Now, [luxury travelers want] boutique hotels in stunning locations, excellent service with a smile, and unique and unforgettable experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime."

This feeling emanated in a boom of so-called "revenge travel" — traveling to make up for lost time.

"Young people want more business- and first-class flights, more five-star hotels. They want to fly less but farther, and stay away for longer," Vickers said. "Young people [are] more aware of climate change and environmental decline, they take nothing for granted."

Related: 8 women influencing luxury travel tell us what's hot for 2023

Memory — no doubt ideally captured on Instagram or TikTok — is the future of luxury travel. After all, in today's world of frenzied consumer choice and material success, perhaps there is only one commodity left that money still cannot buy: time.

While you may not be able to buy a longer life, you can buy a better one with the right resources.

"Time is the one thing we cannot buy more of," Riello said. "But we have invented the notion of quality time, which can be bought and sold. So I think that out of the 'experiential luxury' market, what will become more important in the future are ways to capture those 'events' into memories to treasure in the future. I think memory will be one area in which luxury brands will exist in the future."

Is luxury travel worth it?

Of course, industry experts will tell you what they're selling is well worth the money. Truthfully, though, value is as ambiguous a concept as luxury.

A product is only worth what people are prepared to shell out for it. The better a brand's marketing can tap into ideas around value, aspiration, freedom and happiness, the more likely a target audience will buy it.

"The trick of luxury, to me, is that both the consumer and the seller know that you don't need this," Riello said. "Nobody is making a strong argument that you need a bag that costs 3,000 pounds. I know I don't need it, and you know you don't need it. But it's fine because I have the 3,000 pounds and I simply like the bag."

The same goes for a movie-inspired tour of Europe that costs more than $75,000 per person or a $1,450-per-night tent in the Masai Mara. If your pockets are deep enough to absorb it, why not enjoy the experience?

Like Coco Chanel once said: "The best things in life are free. The second best things are very, very expensive."

And as far as we are concerned, at least some of the best luxury experiences still take points .

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Meaning of worth in English

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worth adjective ( MONEY )

• "I paid £2,000 for this car ." "You've been had, mate . It's not worth more than £1,000."
• Thieves broke the shop window and carried off jewellery worth thousands of pounds .
• Buying those shares was a very far-sighted move - they must be worth ten times their original value now.
• Any painting by Van Gogh is worth a fortune .
• The country exports goods worth $600 million per annum .
• admission charge
• at the cost of something/doing something
• bank charges
• price point
• transfer fee

worth adjective ( IMPORTANCE )

• a pearl of great price idiom
• a place in the sun idiom
• advantageous
• advantageously
• all-singing
• fruitfulness
• practicality
• preferential
• wholesomely
• wholesomeness

worth noun ( MONEY )

• He bought a dollar's worth of stamps .
• He tried to read books of real worth.
• She got her money's worth out of that coat .
• The lorry contained thousands of pounds worth of contraband .
• I've got £20,000 worth of cover for the contents of my house .

worth noun ( IMPORTANCE )

• He proved his worth to the team by scoring two goals in the final .
• He behaved like a person of great worth.
• His worth to the school was incalculable .
• The anti-lock brakes proved their worth when the car was nearly involved in an accident .
• It was hard to assess the worth of his contribution to the discussion .
• all that matters
• centre of gravity
• cornerstone
• criticality
• momentousness
• pre-eminence
• significance
• substantial
• supereminence
• transcendence

worth noun ( AMOUNT )

Worth | american dictionary, worth noun [u] ( money ), worth noun [u] ( importance ), worth noun [u] ( amount ), worth adjective [not gradable] ( importance ), worth adjective [not gradable] ( money ), worth | business english, examples of worth, collocations with worth.

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• worth (MONEY)
• be worth it
• worth (IMPORTANCE)
• be worth something
• be worth having/doing something
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Another Boeing plane issue? Don't fall for the headlines. | Cruising Altitude

Not all issues involving Boeings are created equal. 

Boeing has been in the news a lot lately, and that’s partly because of me. As an aviation reporter, it’s my job to follow what’s going on at the company and update the public about any important developments. Where it gets a little muddier, though, is when some incident involves a Boeing airplane that is not specifically a Boeing Issue (caps intentional).

As a result of some very high-profile and serious safety incidents, Boeing is rightfully under a microscope now. But just because there’s a news appetite for it doesn’t mean that Boeing is responsible for everything that goes on with its aircraft once they leave the factory floor. 

At a time when people are thinking about the planes they fly on more than usual, it can be hard to highlight relevant information without misleading readers into thinking there’s more malfeasance than there actually is.

It’s a newsroom conversation every time we see Boeing bubbling in news trends. My job is to hold Boeing accountable without fearmongering.

Aviation professionals agree that while Boeing and its practices deserve scrutiny, you should still feel all right flying on its planes.

So, let’s try to cut through the noise.

What’s wrong with Boeing?

“There are genuine worries about Boeing in terms of its performance as a company, its safety culture, its manufacturing culture,” Jon Ostrower, editor-in-chief of The Air Current , told me. 

It’s hard to boil down the problems at Boeing because they didn’t happen overnight. They’re systemic and the result of a series of small changes and corporate decisions over decades that de-emphasized engineering excellence and safety and put extra importance on shareholder returns. But that’s not the only thing.

“During COVID we had a lot of retirements that happened both on the pilot front and the mechanic front, and there was a lot of senior expertise that left,” Laurie Garrow, a civil engineering professor specializing in aviation at Georgia Tech, told me. “The senior expertise probably provided a series of checks and balances that are being relearned and reinstitutionalized in some companies.” 

Garrow is on a consulting contract with Boeing on unrelated issues. She said her perspective applies to not just Boeing but the aviation industry as a whole.

According to Ostrower, Boeing needs to change its corporate culture to emerge from the current shadow.

“Boeing’s behavior in terms of the design of the 737 Max is an aberration in an otherwise phenomenally safe system,” he said. “They need to put themselves back together, and I mean that quite literally. There has been an internal breakup of the company over decades that has fractured their workforce, both the engineers and the machinists, spiritually and geographically.”

Boeing is, of course, under investigation by federal regulators as a result of these issues. It’s unclear what the outcome of those investigations will be, but it seems likely that some internal company changes will be required. 

What airplane issues is Boeing responsible for?

“What’s going on at Boeing is distinctly separate from the types of issues that happen in service, that by the way, would largely go unnoticed or unreported on if it wasn’t what happened on Alaska 1282,” Ostrower said.

Said another way: A Boeing plane can be involved in an incident that has nothing to do with Boeing itself.

“There is a pile-on fixation that happens in the broader media landscape,” Ostrower said. “That is a function of how people are feeling about their confidence in Boeing, but it fundamentally is not related to anything that’s been going on at Boeing.” 

Garrow pointed out that aviation is extremely safe overall and has only gotten safer over time.

“A lot of the safety features have redundancy. A lot of the kinks have been worked out,” she said. “Not every aircraft flies perfectly, there are maintenance issues that happen, but they are getting increased scrutiny right now.” 

Of course, Boeing is responsible for manufacturing defects like the missing bolts that led to the Alaska Airlines explosive decompression earlier this year. But as an airframer, Boeing doesn’t manufacture things like engines – those are supplied by other companies – or place the tires on planes that have been in service for many years. Once an aircraft is away from the factory, airlines largely take over its maintenance.

“If a flight is delayed because of a problem, it’s because someone has noticed it and it’s being addressed,” Ostrower said. 

That’s the system working.

“These are incredibly complex machines, and they run at a reliability level that is truly extraordinary,” Ostrower added. “There are levels of redundancy. You can defer maintenance items in a safe and well-understood way. … 'This component wasn’t active on my airplane, and that’s fine, you can operate safely with that, it’s approved to do that.'”

What is an emergency landing?

Another gray area when it comes to the news is emergency landings. A casual traveler understandably hears the word “emergency” and thinks of the absolute worst case. Still, the Federal Aviation Administration allows, and in fact encourages, pilots to declare an emergency in any “ distress or urgency condition .” 

According to the pilot/controller glossary , that can include “a condition of being concerned about safety and of requiring timely but not immediate assistance.”

Aviation safety is built on redundancy and overcaution, so a pilot declaring an emergency is usually another sign that the system is working as designed. It doesn’t always bear being reported on.

Are Boeing airplanes safe?

The short answer is yes.

“Trust has been broken at Boeing and the airlines are paying for that,” Ostrower said. “It makes it really hard for us to say ‘Trust the airlines and their processes,’ but you have to because there’s ample evidence and ample history and safety culture to back that up.” 

Thousands of Boeing aircraft fly without incident every day. Eventually, the company’s place at the top of the news cycle will fade, though the focus on safety throughout aviation will remain as it always has.

“People shouldn’t have to think about what kind of airplane they’re getting on, and we need to get back to that,” Ostrower said. “The way we’re going to get back to that is through getting not just Boeing but the airlines on a reliable footing.” 

In the meantime, Garrow said, travelers should consider the bigger picture.

“The few times an aircraft has gone down or there has been a major accident. I personally have found it very difficult the next day to get on a flight if I’m traveling. Aviation has one of the best safety records of all of the modes and I personally don’t want to change my life – not go on my dream vacation to Europe or not go on my professional trip that I literally could not drive to – because of a fear of flying,” she said. “I just always remind myself that aviation has had one of the best safety records, and I’m comforted by the fact that I’m not driving the plane, that I have two experienced pilots that have been trained for multiple safety scenarios, and I’m in good hands when I travel.” 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Congress Passed a Bill That Could Ban TikTok. Now Comes the Hard Part.

President Biden has signed the bill to force a sale of the video app or ban it. Now the law faces court challenges, a shortage of qualified buyers and Beijing’s hostility.

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By Sapna Maheshwari and David McCabe

Sapna Maheshwari reported from New York, and David McCabe from Washington.

A bill that would force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance — or ban it outright — was passed by the Senate on Tuesday and signed into law Wednesday by President Biden.

Now the process is likely to get even more complicated.

Congress passed the measure citing national security concerns because of TikTok’s Chinese ties. Both lawmakers and security experts have said there are risks that the Chinese government could lean on ByteDance for access to sensitive data belonging to its 170 million U.S. users or to spread propaganda.

The law would allow TikTok to continue to operate in the United States if ByteDance sold it within 270 days, or about nine months, a time frame that the president could extend to a year.

The measure is likely to face legal challenges, as well as possible resistance from Beijing, which could block the sale or export of the technology. It’s also unclear who has the resources to buy TikTok, since it will carry a hefty price tag.

The issue could take months or even years to settle, during which the app would probably continue to function for U.S. consumers.

“It’s going to be a royal mess,” said Anupam Chander, a visiting scholar at the Institute for Rebooting Social Media at Harvard and an expert on the global regulation of new technologies.

TikTok pledged to challenge the law. “Rest assured, we aren’t going anywhere,” its chief executive, Shou Chew, said in a video posted to the platform. “We are confident, and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts.”

Here’s what to expect next.

TikTok’s Day in Court

TikTok is likely to start by challenging the measure in the courts.

“I think that’s the one certainty: There will be litigation,” said Jeff Kosseff, an associate professor of cybersecurity law at the Naval Academy.

TikTok’s case will probably lean on the First Amendment, legal experts said. The company is expected to argue that a forced sale could violate its users’ free speech rights because a new owner could change the app’s content policies and reshape what users are able to freely share on the platform.

“Thankfully, we have a Constitution in this country, and people’s First Amendment rights are very important,” Michael Beckerman, TikTok’s vice president of public policy, said in an interview with a creator on the platform last week. “We’ll continue to fight for you and all the other users on TikTok.”

Other groups, like the American Civil Liberties Union, which has been a vocal opponent of the bill, may also join the legal fight. A spokeswoman for the A.C.L.U. said on Tuesday that the group was still weighing its role in potential litigation challenging the law.

The government will probably need to make a strong case that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok makes it necessary to limit speech because of national security concerns, the legal experts said.

TikTok already has a strong record in similar First Amendment battles. When he was president, Donald J. Trump tried to force a sale or ban of the app in 2020, but federal judges blocked the effort because it would have had the effect of shutting down a “platform for expressive activity.” Montana tried to ban TikTok in the state last year because of the app’s Chinese ownership, but a different federal judge ruled against the state law for similar reasons.

Only one narrower TikTok restriction has survived a court challenge. The governor of Texas announced a ban of the app on state government devices and networks in 2022 because of its Chinese ownership and related data privacy concerns. Professors at public universities challenged the ban in court last year, saying it blocked them from doing research on the app. A federal judge upheld the state ban in December, finding it was a “reasonable restriction” in light of Texas’ concerns and the narrow scope affecting only state employees.

Small Buyer Pool

Analysts estimate that the price for the U.S. portion of TikTok could be tens of billions of dollars.

ByteDance itself is one of the world’s most valuable start-ups , with an estimated worth of $225 billion, according to CB Insights, a firm that tracks venture capital and start-ups.

The steep price tag would limit the list of who could afford TikTok. Tech giants like Meta or Google would probably be blocked from an acquisition because of antitrust concerns.

Private equity firms or other investors could form a group to raise enough money to buy TikTok. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in March that he wanted to build such a group. And anyone who can pony up the money still has to pass muster with the U.S. government, which needs to sign off on any purchase.

Few others have expressed public interest in buying the app.

The last time the government tried to force ByteDance to sell TikTok in 2020, the company held talks with Microsoft and the software company Oracle. (Oracle and Walmart ultimately appeared to reach an agreement with ByteDance, but the deal never materialized .)

A Complicated Divestment

Even if TikTok approaches a sale, the process of separating TikTok from ByteDance is likely to be messy.

The legislation prohibits any connection between ByteDance and TikTok after a sale. Yet TikTok employees use ByteDance software in their communications, and the company’s employees are global, with executives in Singapore, Dublin, Los Angeles and Mountain View, Calif.

It’s unclear if ByteDance would consider selling TikTok’s entire global footprint or just its U.S. operations, where the company has nearly 7,000 employees.

Breaking off just the U.S. portion of TikTok could prove particularly challenging. The app's recommendation algorithm, which figures out what users like and serves up content, is key to the success of the app. But Chinese engineers work on that algorithm, which ByteDance owns.

During Mr. Trump’s attempt to force a sale in 2020, the Chinese government issued export restrictions that appeared to require its regulators to grant permission before ByteDance algorithms could be sold or licensed to outsiders.

The uncertainty around the export of the algorithm and other ByteDance technology could also deter interested buyers.

China’s Unpredictable Role

The Chinese government could also try to block a TikTok sale.

Chinese officials criticized a similar bill after the House passed it in March, although they have not yet said whether they would block a divestment. About a year ago, China’s commerce ministry said it would “firmly oppose” a sale of the app by ByteDance.

Chinese export regulations appear to cover TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm, giving Beijing a say in whether ByteDance could sell or license the app’s most valuable feature.

It “is not a foregone conclusion by any means” that China will allow a sale, said Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund who specializes in emerging tech and China.

China may retaliate against American companies. On Friday, China’s Cyberspace Administration asked Apple to remove Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store, according to the iPhone manufacturer. The Chinese government cited national security reasons in making the demand.

Sapna Maheshwari reports on TikTok, technology and emerging media companies. She has been a business reporter for more than a decade. Contact her at [email protected] . More about Sapna Maheshwari

David McCabe covers tech policy. He joined The Times from Axios in 2019. More about David McCabe