In 2019, before the pandemic had reached catastrophic proportions, the global travel and tourism industry contributed a colossal $8.9 billion to the world’s total GDP – a figure so large, it’s difficult to visualize exactly how many workers, businesses and travelers had to intersect to sustain it.
But the virus turned our excursion habits upside down, prompting nations to shutter their borders and limit travel. Cancelled business trips became Zoom calls, but cancelled vacations proved much harder to re-create from home. By March of 2020, the wander-lusting breed known as the “jet setter” was no more; in its place stood the nomad.
Jet Setting’s Illustrious Origins
The term “jet set” was first coined by society columnist Igor Cassini in the 1950s, when jet passenger service was primarily marketed to the upper class. Jet setters were socialites who had the time and the means to travel widely for pleasure, jaunting off to Rome for the weekend and hopping between New York and Paris to attend glitzy parties. Passenger lists became gossip column material.
With airline deregulation in 1978, the Golden Age of air travel for the rich gave way to the democratization of travel for, well, anyone who wanted to go somewhere. Today, greater accessibility and affordable air fares have led the moniker “jet setter” to take on a new meaning: what once denoted excessive consumption now includes travelers on a more modest budget who prioritize frequent adventure and seek new experiences.
The Era of the Traveling Nomad is Here
The heirs of the jet set generation have become accustomed to a whole new level of freedom that isn’t restricted to air travel. Thanks to laptops and the Internet, even those with steady jobs can remain indefinitely on the move.
Nomads already made up a recognized (if not broad) professional class before the pandemic; some estimates say there were 7.3 million of them in the U.S. in 2019. During the pandemic, that number climbed to 10.9 million. The 49% jump is easily explained; remote work became the norm, and everyone tired of staying home opted to hit the road. A study by MBO Partners found that the ranks of the nomad may continue to swell: a further 19 million Americans say they plan to become digital nomads themselves, and another 45 million claim they’re considering it.
While there’s no guarantee these suitcase-toting dreamers will follow through on their plans, the last year and a half has demonstrated a major shift in the way people seek adventure. In 2020, of those Americans who did travel during the summer, 71% opted to drive to their destinations rather than flying. RV owners also reported a record number of bookings – Outdoorsy, an RV rental and outdoor travel marketplace, saw a 4,500% increase in reservations – as families sought socially-distanced travel experiences.
This year, summer saw a rebound in some travel habits: TSA reported that Americans passing through airports over the long July 4 weekend actually surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Data for all summer 2021 travel is not yet conclusive, but an April TripAdvisor survey found that 67% of respondents intended to travel between June 1 and August 31. 74% of this cohort planned to travel domestically; only 13% were planning international trips.
Complex international itineraries may be tricky for a while yet. Earlier this month, the European Union removed the United States from its “safe list” of countries whose residents can travel to its 27 member states without mandatory quarantine and testing. But there are still plenty of ways to create meaningful travel and adventure experiences.
How to Adventure Like a Nomad
It’s obvious that many travelers are still wary of international flights, expensive requisite quarantines, and healthcare far from home (let’s not even talk about cruise ships) when creating their travel plans. For those who want to exercise caution in their planning without completely sacrificing adventure, here are some ideas to get you started:
Take a Road Trip
Road trips, done right, can be every bit as rejuvenating and exhilarating as an international trip – and given the fact that fewer logistics are involved, like luggage limitations, airport security, and jetlag, they might even be more relaxing. The trip will involve a little planning, particularly for drivers who’d like to avoid stopovers in cities with high infection rates – if you have a general sense of your route in advance, it’s a good idea to arrange lodging ahead of time.
But traveling by car offers the chance to tailor your route to the experiences, venues and activities you’d most like to enjoy. Get a great playlist going and look up some unique natural or historical sites (or restaurants) towards which to navigate. After all, the world is large and most of it thrives with no regard for schedules, so take your time and take the overland route!
Plan an Indulgent Staycation
Give yourself a change of scenery – even if it’s only a few blocks away. Staycations, or short-term vacations not far from where you live, offer an easy and no less indulgent alternative to longer-term holiday trips. Expenses are minimal, and time spent in transit is eliminated.
A staycation might look like a weekend at a nearby bed-and-breakfast, or an overnight at a friend’s guesthouse in the area. Focus on things you wouldn’t normally do in your own home: order takeout or room service, enjoy a luxurious bath, or go for a walk in a part of town you’ve never explored.
A staycation may not involve seeing the world, but it does allow you to reconnect with the most meaningful people in your life in a relaxed, new-to-you setting that makes for a welcome escape.
Arrange Day-Adventures
Mini adventures that just require a few hours are the perfect way to treat yourself and your family to some new experiences. Scope out nearby hiking paths, or take a picnic to the neighborhood park and make an afternoon of it.
Research has shown that being near or on the water can provide a long list of benefits for our mind and body, such as lowering stress and anxiety and boosting an overall sense of happiness and well-being. If it’s feasible, look for day trips that involve the beach, riverbanks, or scenic lakes.
Outdoor destinations like botanical gardens, the zoo, or open-air historical sites will also help get you out of your house, out of your head, and closer to an experience that feels like a vacation.
Take Heart: Travel Restrictions Won’t Last Forever
The World Travel and Tourism Council’s analysis of past epidemics (such as the 2003 SARS outbreak and the H1N1 influenza virus of 2009) shows that the average recovery time for inbound traveler numbers at any given destination is 19 months – a deadline we’ll meet in the early fall. It remains to be seen how new variants of the virus will affect travel restrictions and countries’ policies around international tourism. But in time, the travel industry will rebound as it always has after pandemics and natural disasters.
The last seventy years have seen us growing increasingly accustomed to travel, suggesting that the demand for global mobility is unlikely to evaporate, and exploring new places and cultures can be a valuable and enriching experience.
But we might look back on this shift in travel habits as the moment society realized that you don’t have to be a jet setter to make the most of the world’s incredible offerings. Adventure can always be found if you’re willing to travel a little more like a nomad.
Cover photo by Clay Banks.
