Yeoh Siew Hoon feels like a kid in a candy store after a marathon trip across the US and Europe
I’VE always fancied myself to be a bit of an eagle (free, fast and flying high) or an owl (wise and nocturnal) – by the way, my new favourite bookstore is now The Learned Owl in Hudson, Ohio, where the proprietor and I bonded over the fact that she spent five years in Seoul – but I’ve now realised I am more GOAT-like than bird-like.
This is because I received a press release from Expedia this week which said that more travellers, having been deprived for so long, are planning to go big on their next trip with a new “no regrets” style of travel – which the company has dubbed the GOAT (Greatest of All Trips) mindset.
That sentiment appears to be unusually but not surprisingly strong in Singapore where 5.5 million people live roughly in an area the size of Rhode Island – apparently, close to three quarters of us (73%) are planning to go GOAT or stay home.
I suppose my recent round-the-world trip – New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Cleveland, Paris and Marseille/Provence in 27 days – would fit in that bucket.
It was certainly spend big – I flew premium class all the way, booked limousine transfers where I could and stayed in pretty posh places everywhere. I reckoned I might as well splurge since I had been saving up for it like a good girl for 20 months. Now it’s back to chicken rice and noodles for a while.
And it was definitely go big – my itinerary was ambitious in idea, scope and concept. Let’s just say, I wanted to kill as many goats as I could with one itinerary – catch up with friends in the different places, attend a couple of conferences (maybe speak at a couple of them), do a bit of business here and there, do lots of sightseeing and experiencing, and eat great food everywhere I go.
All this seems to fit with the Expedia 2022 Travel Trends Report. Conducted with12,000 travellers across 12 countries, including 500 travellers from Singapore, it said that, “with a newfound appreciation that each trip in the current travel environment is a privilege, travellers are now in pursuit of more transformative and fulfilling journeys, without holding back”.
And the top GOAT characteristics are – planning to be more present and live in the moment, immerse themselves in culture, splurge on experiences and seek out excitement, as they crave the feelings of contentment and mental well-being (41%), excitement and exhilaration (38%), as well as gratification (37%).
I was definitely more appreciative of travel and was present in each moment, whether it was walking barefoot on the beach, feeling the cold wind in my face and catching the snow in my hand before it melts.
Frankly, I felt like a kid let loose in the candy store – whether it was wandering through the hallowed corridors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or singing and dancing through the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland or experiencing in speechless wonder the union of technology and art at Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux des Provence.
In terms of contentment and well-being, well, it definitely felt good to be out in the world again and to see that life goes on, and can be lived pretty joyfully and freely.
I am not sure I am completely transformed but I am definitely fulfilled. I feel I’ve had my fill of GOAT food – for now, until the next trip.
And there again, it appears I am not alone in already planning for the next trip, even as governments, fuelled by Omricon-fears, threaten to lock us out or close us in again.
According to Lavinia Rajaram, Asia head of communications, Expedia Group Brands, “Despite close to half (46%) of the Singapore respondents who took part in our research expressing feelings of cautiousness towards travel, the report also showed that majority of travellers (73%) want to let go and go big for their next trip.”
And here are five other travel trends covered in the report.
• Scrapping the Schedule
Travellers are ready to embrace the impromptu, with over a quarter (28%) of Singapore respondents seeking to be more spontaneous and live in the moment. The report also found that travellers prefer to go-with-the-flow and forgo an itinerary (29%) to embrace the freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want (36%).
• The Splurge-cation
Over the next year, more than two in five (43%) Singapore travellers are more willing to treat themselves and prioritise their enjoyment and experiences over budget on their next trip. From going on the ultimate shopping spree (30%), to dining at a Michelin star restaurant (23%), to booking a first-class flight or a 5-star hotel (18%), travellers are looking to invest in making their next trip the best one ever.
• Immerse to Discover
In the coming year, Singapore travellers are raring to go beyond the norm on their next trip, with more of them being willing to step out of their comfort zone (26%) and immerse themselves in destinations, cultures and experiences that are completely different from their own (32%).
• Sensation Seeking
In 2022, travellers aren’t just craving new tastes and places, they’re also yearning for feelings of excitement and exhilaration (38%). Additionally, 11% are hoping to feel a sense of danger or riskiness on their next trip, with 10% willing to try daring or high adrenaline activities and experiences.
• Unfiltered Enjoyment
A successful trip is no longer defined by likes on social media. Traveller priorities are shifting towards a greater focus on supporting their mental well-being. 29% seek trips that enable them to prioritise their mental health. Furthermore, 41% are searching for a sense of contentment and mental well-being on their next trip, and one in five travellers (22%) will spend less time on their devices to be more present.
So whatever kind of GOAT you are, I say, Go For It. Travel is good for everyone, including those that bleat.
• Featured image credit: Getty Images