Travel plays a part in bringing us together, says Kuoni head of specialist products Claire Ross
At the time of writing uncertainty and cultural divisions are dominating the news. It’s easy to focus on the negatives for tourism against this backdrop. Particularly where we see mistrust of those with opposing views normalised in the news and a culture of fear of the unknown driving political agendas.
I’ve never felt more strongly that travel, with its unique ability to bring people together, offers us all the chance to play a role in moving beyond these divisions and uncertainty. Through the ways we travel, the regions we decide to visit and the choices we make about how we spend our money we can all have a positive impact on our own communities and those we visit. Travel is a way of building connections, not breaking them down.
The real pleasure of travel is not ticking off the sites you visit, but in the people you meet and the interactions you have on the journey. Who we travel with is evolving, whether it is the growth in solo travellers looking to invest in themselves or large family groups looking to pass the legacy of travel through the generations.
Having been involved in developing our touring programme for a number of years I see that there is a clear opportunity to promote group trips as more than ticking a box on your bucket list. Travelling as part of a group is as much about the people you meet along the way as the itinerary itself. Whether that’s the local leaders who share fascinating insight into their lifestyles, the local people you meet, or the group you are travelling with.
It’s really common when I talk to people who have just returned from one of our escorted tours to hear that they have made lifelong friends, no matter what their walk of life or political viewpoints. Evenings are spent reflecting over experiences from the day; experiences that create a bond – you might catch sight of a rarely seen animal, sampled the street food or journeyed beyond the crowds leaving you with the feeling “only we have been lucky enough to experience this”.
My own personal highlight is always the discussions with our local leaders. I often find that their own insight offers the opportunity for unique experiences and the opportunity to try something unexpected. I find it fascinating to learn about their customs, and how the ordinary life differs in other cultures. But I am also often surprised by the similarities. Travelling as part of a group often means that the conversation tends to grow and extend beyond your original question meaning you come away feeling you have really got to know a destination.
Now more than ever we need to be reminded that there is more that unites us than divides us. Travel plays a part in bringing us together, and we need to encourage people to get out there and see the world in all its beauty and know that the world is a safe and welcoming place.