Aliza Gulab: People are traveling now more than ever before.
With a computer in hand, consumers have control
over what we want to see, where we want to go,
and how we choose to get there.
Thanks to the drop in the cost of air travel ...
Oh, wait.
You didn't know?
Take a look at this chart.
Airline travel is close to the cheapest it's ever been.
The average ticket price has decreased since 1980.
And the massive rise of social media
means wanderlust-worthy travel inspo
is right at our fingertips.
As we continue to flock to the skies and explore the world,
we're changing the way we do it.
Here are just a few ways travel has changed this decade.
800 people signed up to host when the website
Airbedandbreakfast.com first launched,
and there were 80 guest arrivals.
Fast-forward 11 years and over 6 million listings later,
Airbnb has made it possible for the everyday traveler
to spend a night in a tree house, tiny house,
or luxury mansion, all with a personal touch.
The company has expanded rapidly,
with its listings growing 100% every year
and a foray into local-led tours and experiences
as well as lodging.
Look, Airbnb is great for travelers like myself,
who prefer unique and convenient stays
for affordable prices, but the independent nature of Airbnb
means it's not without risks.
Airbnb has had trouble with fake hosts, fake listings,
and in certain cities like Barcelona,
the abundance of short-term vacation rentals
is driving up rents and cutting into
the affordable housing stock.
Since Instagram's launch in 2010,
the rise of travel bloggers and photographers
with mass followings on the platform has transformed
the way the average person experiences travel.
If you follow a travel influencer
who constantly posts pictures of their perfect vacations,
chances are you're scrolling through their page
looking for inspiration and thinking,
"How can I be there, right now?"
Influencers can fund their lavish-looking lifestyles
by working with brands and hotels around the world,
exchanging exposure for a place to stay,
although the industry has its drawbacks.
It's great that off-the-beaten destinations
are getting some attention from social media,
but when crowds flock to one destination, it can get ruined.
There's even a growing movement against geotagging
on the platform to avoid "spoiling" low-traffic locations.
Other downsides of travel influencers
can include misleading representations of places,
like these famous gates in Bali,
which tourists flock to for a perfect Instagram picture.
Seems like they could be the entrance to a grand temple.
But did you know these "famous" gates
are actually just the entrance to a golf resort?
Yeah.
And please don't put yourself in any dangerous situations
to visit a place just for a selfie.
The FOMO we gain from scrolling through Instagram feeds
isn't always worth it.
Travel influencers can be a great source of inspiration,
but for the average traveler,
they can't replace research and education.
With such a massive increase in overall travel
over the past decade, jet travel and development
have caused some environmental issues.
It's important, then, that some people are putting
more of an emphasis on visiting countries responsibly.
Sustainable tourism basically means a traveler
respects the environment, cultural heritage,
and people of the destination they are visiting.
Ecotourism is one element of sustainable travel
that brings in a lot of revenue.
A lot of Kenya's tourism revenue
comes from the wildlife tourism.
In return, this money can be used to care
for the natural environment and surroundings
and for efforts such as saving endangered species
like black rhinos.
But wildlife tourism can also be bad
for endangered animals like cheetahs.
Research shows that cheetahs find it harder to produce cubs
in areas that receive a lot of tourists,
even if they're in protected areas.
And while some reserves, like Maasai Mara,
make a popular tourist destination,
travel accommodations are being prioritized
over natural habitats, which ensures a good experience
for humans but takes away a home for animals.
On the other hand, now, with more awareness
on environmental issues like climate change,
some travelers and companies are pushing
for more sustainable methods of transportation
and opting for slower travel
to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Air travel is accountable for about 2.5%
of global carbon dioxide emissions,
and using the railroad is one way to travel long distances
without releasing as many emissions.
Slower travel like this allows people
to spend more time in places
and really be able to enjoy their experiences.
You may have noticed more people are traveling
during the winter months.
This means two things.
During winter, instead of flocking from the cold weather
to warmer destinations, travelers are more interested
in experiencing other countries during the cold months
and even seeing how the holidays
are celebrated in other cultures.
Finland, a top winter destination,
continues to see growth in tourism each year.
Another reason to travel during the winter
is because it's considered "off-season,"
which means travelers can avoid
high prices and large crowds.
In 2017, a Qantas Airlines survey
found that about 80% of Americans
would consider traveling during the winter.
It's just more relaxing with less crowds.
And, hey, by saving on airfare, you'll have extra cash
to indulge in more food and activities during your vacation.
You ever wish you had the freedom to travel
all the time and still make money?
This is a reality for millions of digital nomads,
who work remotely and make their own schedule
in order to live and travel more freely.
MBO Partners found in 2018 that 4.8 million US citizens
identify themselves as digital nomads.
Digital nomads aren't always full-time travelers.
Some simply prefer to live in a lower-cost area
than the place where they work.
But companies like Remote Year,
which coordinates mid-term stays
in a variety of cities around the world
for remote professionals, are making the dream of traveling
and living around the world a reality.
So, with all of the ways the travel industry
has changed and expanded,
what's on your travel bucket list for the next decade?
Let us know in the comments below.