A new travel trend is gaining ground, as more and more travelers choose to split their vacations into two different places, combining intense activity with relaxation.
This practice is described as a split vacation and is based on the idea that a trip can include two completely different experiences. For example, a traveler could start with a few days in a busy city and then move on to a quieter seaside destination before returning home.
The trend is linked to what Bloomberg describes as “emotional contrast,” that is, the transition from intensity, activity, and many stimuli to a second stage of rest and recovery.
This particular approach is particularly evident in the luxury travel sector, where travelers seek to combine different experiences within the same trip.
Beyond the different travel experience, the trend also makes economic sense.
As travel costs rise, those already paying for an expensive long-haul airfare have an added incentive to use the same trip for more than one form of vacation.
The cost of getting to a distant destination is often a significant part of the total cost, so adding a second destination or a different experience can make travelers feel like they’re getting more value for the money they’ve already spent.
The goal is not necessarily to reduce the overall cost of the vacation, but to increase the value that the traveler perceives they are getting from an expensive trip.
The model is not entirely new, as for years many travelers taking long-distance trips have been combining more than one destination.
What changes is the greater emphasis on the contrast between the two parts of the holiday.
A typical example is a traveler from the US visiting Europe and initially spending three days in Paris before moving to the French coast for a more leisurely second part of the trip.
Similarly, a trip to Italy can combine the intense experience of Rome with a slower and more relaxed stay in Puglia.
The basic idea is that instead of vacations being a single experience, they are organized into two distinct phases: one more active and one more rest-oriented.
Source: money-tourism.gr