Forget bleisure travel, skillcations are being tapped as the new travel trend to take off.
It’s a holiday taken where people also learn a new skill, and a holiday style that’s gaining traction. Speaking to the Huff Post, economics practice director and principal at hospitality strategy firm HKS, Ben Martin, says it sees that this trend satisfies a desire for personal growth and cultural engagement, making trips more enriching than traditional sightseeing. He adds that it also aligns with the concept of edutainment, a term he says that’s been around for a while, focusing on combining education with entertainment.
. . . The Opportunity
For agents, a skillcation is the chance to offer clients an even more memorable holiday, and one that will be more rewarding. Returning from a vacation with a new skill will most likely be hugely rewarding for the individual and may pave the way for future adventures,” Martin tells Huff Post. Skillcation: The New Travel Trend As to who this style caters to, Martin says they are likely to be of greater interest to the more established outbound markets, where sightseeing and relaxation have already been historic travel themes and now guests are looking for something more—a deeper level of engagement and self-development. It also caters well to the rising demand for sustainable holidays, and those that give back. “Skillcations also have the potential to align well with the principles of regenerative tourism, where the visitor experience has the potential to make a positive impact and everyone’s a winner,” Martin explains. “In learning the skill—for example dry stone walling—you might actually be enhancing the destination.”
