From being in nature to natural materials to protecting nature, sustainable travel trends are moving people in a new direction. What is it that lures us from our homes and our offices to the sunshine, the sand, the forest primeval? The great outdoors has always offered a sense of wonder and renewal. People all over the world really tuned into environment, health and wellness over the past few years, when being outdoors was often the only choice for entertainment outside of their home. People got to reconnect with nature, and now it seems they can’t get enough.
McKinsey estimates the global wellness market at more than $1.5 trillion, with an annual growth rate of 5 to 10 percent. This continuing increase in health and wellness business may be more pivot than trend with numbers like that. It signals that people are taking that step back from achieving and consuming, and are now looking inward for questions and elsewhere for answers. 52% of companies now offer wellness programs in addition to their standard health insurance.
In line with this change in thinking, here are our four favorite trends with an environment, health and wellness focus.
Nature as Healer
Consumers are prioritizing their health, and turning to the outdoors as a healing force. Now more than ever, we are taking solace in soul restoring, stress relieving outlets. In this sustainable travel trend, people are visiting spas, retreats and other soul-searching, off-the-grid places for travel. It seems the world is currently focused on self-care, looking for ways to recover from not only a global pandemic, but the collective malaise that has followed. Mindbody reports that 78% of Americans say wellness is more important than ever. Retreats for every type of passion imaginable have sprung up seemingly overnight. There are salt retreats, outdoor laughter yoga, silent retreats in an austere location, and even Forest Bathing or shinrin-yoku. You can focus on healing yourself mentally and physically on the beach, in the mountains, the forest, or in an exotic locale.
Environmentally-Conscious, sustainable travel trend Destinations
Sustainability in travel can be expressed differently by companies in this space, and we’re seeing this take shape in some interesting ways. Wellness travel is definitely on the rise, as 21% of millennials have booked a wellness retreat recently. At Diamond Brand, we of course prefer sustainable travel take place in the outdoors, but there are companies looking to strive for “whole life net zero” options. 71% of people surveyed by Booking.com plan to travel greener this year up 10 percent from the year before. From LEED certified destinations, like an underground earth house in western North Carolina to minimal carbon footprint vacations to places like The Azores, Bhutan and Rottnest Island, sustainable travel options are growing.
Electric Vehicles
The EVs are coming, and coming fast. Not only will they be in driveways, they’re starting to be a choice for drivers on vacation. J.D. Power predicts more car rental agencies will offer more options in this sustainable travel trend sooner than later. Right now, Hertz, Avis and Enterprise all offer rental electric vehicles from manufacturers like Nissan, Tesla, Polestar and Kia. Drivers with environmental sensitivity are looking for these options, and rental companies are leading the way.
Other car share companies like Turo, allow consumers to share their car (much like Air BnB allows customers to share their home), a further manifestation of sustainability in travel. New to the car rental space, 6.78% of cars in this company’s offering are electric. Popular ride share company Uber even highlights electric vehicle drivers in their rideshare app as a posh electric car service called “Comfort Electric” in 25 cities, so that riders can choose a more environmentally-friendly ride.
Sustainable Camping Gear
Sustainable travel trends in gear, well that’s our bag. Literally. This is a travel trend that everyone can be part of. Whether they are traveling to school or traveling around the world, a sustainable bag can accompany you. Here, bags and other timeless classics are updated with modern innovations to provide the perfect companions to urban and outdoor adventures. At Diamond Brand, all of our gear is lovingly crafted by our artisans and craftspeople. Made from sustainable fabric processes and practices to be as responsible to the earth as we are to our customers.
From Revival Tent Rescue to our sustainable American Boro bags, Diamond Brand believes sustainable camping and travel gear is the right thing to do for our people, our planet, and everyone’s prosperity. We work to create new gear with a goal of zero waste. We partner with others like Pisgah Hospitality Partners, like-minds in the sustainability space who also believe in responsible travel. Together we create the places, spaces and gear that this wellness traveler is looking for. And together we are championing the sustainable travel trends they follow.