Whether you arrive back home with some post-holiday blues, or Cossie Livs means you’re staying firmly put these holidays because have you SEEN how much petrol is RN, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a vacation at home.
One quarter (24%) of Kiwi travellers* stating they often leave that high-vibe holiday ‘feeling’ on the doorstep as soon as they arrive home – and that’s not even counting those who haven’t managed to get away. Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for 2024 reveal that two thirds (64%) of Kiwis want to be more like their holiday self in their everyday life and we are SO for this as we head into 2024 with the most positive mind frame possible. So, here’s four big tips bringing some of the holiday vibes into your everyday life this summer:
1. Let go
Travellers in 2024 increasingly want to surrender themselves to the element of surprise, explore the unknown and venture into uncharted territory on holiday, with nearly half (47%) reporting they would like to have no plans set in stone prior to travelling. How do we incorporate this into our day-to-day lives?
Summer is always the season for spontaneity – think spur-of-the-moment trips to the beach; catch ups with friends that go from lunch to dinner, those self-care days where you embrace the slowness. You can even surprise your loved one with an extravagant escape from reality with a spontaneous staycation. Leave evenings or time at the weekend free to decide what feels good in the moment, and allow things to happen instead of making them happen.
2. Take centre stage
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own but it’s also essential to recognise the importance of taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Half (51%) of Kiwis often channel their ‘main character energy’ when travelling, so why not embrace this vibe a little bit more at home by prioritising your passions?
The unique qualities and motivations that influence big travel plans like getting out more in nature, indulging in your passion for the arts or carving out more ‘me-time’, can also be slotted into a casual weekend, whether it’s going on a tour of your local arts scene, spontaneous canopy tours in the bush, or booking a solo-travel weekend away for one to recharge.
3. Shift out of autopilot
We all get into the habit of living for the weekend. Many of us get caught up in the 95 but what can you do to jazz up the hours from 5pm to 9pm? Routines are necessary, but there’s a fine line between following habits and falling into the comfort zone.
Try to mix up your daily routine with new experiences to enliven the senses. Get to know your city’s heritage by going on a self-guided city tour. It’s sometimes even as simple as trying out different cuisines by dining out at a new restaurant or cooking different cuisines for your weeknight dinners. You can join the one in five (23%) travellers who recreate the foods that they savoured whilst away on their travels to bring back that holiday feeling.
4. Play!
From bat and ball on the beach to a game of cards over a sunset cocktail or letting loose on the dancefloor, play is part of the daily holiday ‘to do.’ On return, keep that holiday feeling alive by doing activities that help maintain a sense of joy, finding new ones as well as those enjoyed during the time away such as ziplining in Waiheke or spicing up the night with some salsa dancing.
In a world where technology means people are always connected, play allows people to step away from the daily grind and can be hugely energising. Try to tune into what depletes your daily energy and boost those moments with some revitalising playtime – however short – to find a rhythmic balance between the expenditure and renewal of energy.
*Travel Predictions 2024 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 27,730 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1015 from New Zealand). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2023.
