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A Look At Deprivation: Travel's Newest Trend? | The Expeditioner Travel Site

A Look At Deprivation: Travel’s Newest Trend?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I remember my friends getting back from their weekend trip in Las Vegas. I remember wondering what kind of time they had, never having been to the city that actually never sleeps. I remember the husband saying, “it was more like time on, than time off.” The phrase made me laugh out loud.

A recent article in the New Zealand Herald highlights a movement towards traveling tough — now referred to as “Deprivation” vacations. What this means is that more people, businessmen particularly, are choosing a little rough and rumble instead of rest and relaxation. As the article states, “customers enroll in boot camp-style spa resorts or extreme trekking, instead of spending their free time relaxing.” What is going on?

The reason could be existentialism or perhaps a different way we do business. The other day I read a friend’s blog about Generation Y. Those that fall into this demographic are driven to find careers that suit a balanced lifestyle as opposed to one with ladder-like tendencies, like the work ethic the baby boomers embraced. With achieving balance in life with the under-40-hour work week and a full 8 hours of sleep, perhaps people are craving little spurts of zest.

The article also infers how the economic crisis has impacted tourism. Perhaps with the realization that money and life is finite, we turn to living as opposed to watching the days pass by from a window. Whatever it is, tourism is shifting, but it seems to be a societal symptom as opposed to an explainable phenomenon.

Also, we seem to be using our advancements in technology — like smartphones — as a means to tap into our natural curiosities. Some find it frightening. I think it’s beautiful. These are tools that encourage interaction. Through exposure to uncomfortable situations are we able to collectively grow. It`s evolutionary.

Still, a little rest at home to recharge for your next deprivacation is a great thing.

By Brit Weaver

TheExpeditioner

About the Author
britweaver

Toronto born and based, Brit is an avid leisure cyclist, coffee drinker and under-a-tree park-ist. She often finds herself meandering foreign cities looking for street eats to nibble, trees to climb, a patch of grass to sit on, or a small bookstore to sift through. You can find her musing life on her personal blog, TheBubblesAreDead.wordpress.com.

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