Time is the new luxury in travel
TravelArticleJuly 30, 2026
In an era of delays, rising costs and packed itineraries, the most rewarding holiday may not be the one that takes you farthest from home, but the one that makes the most of the time you have
Travel has long been associated with distance. The farther we go, the bigger the adventure.
But travel is changing fast. It feels far more complicated than it used to, and for many, the journey has become something to endure rather than enjoy.
As demand continues to rise, travel often involves more planning, more uncertainty and less room for error than many travelers have come to expect. Air traffic control delays across Europe have more than doubled over the past decade, far outpacing growth in flight numbers. Four in five business travelers experienced at least one disruption in 2025 and more than half faced an incident or emergency during their journeys. Rising costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty are only adding to the complexity, making long-haul travel feel more demanding than it once did.
None of this means people are traveling less. But more people are rethinking not just where they travel but how they travel.
Rethinking distance
Our recent research found that cost and safety are now among the most important factors shaping destination choice, with roughly half of travelers identifying them as key considerations when planning a trip.
As transport and accommodation prices rise, shorter breaks often feel easier to justify financially. Across Europe, domestic travel already dominates, accounting for around 70 percent of all trips.
But travelers are not making decisions on cost alone. Staycations and local travel also offer something many appreciate: simplicity and certainty.
There are fewer logistical hurdles to navigate, less reliance on connecting flights and often greater flexibility if plans need to change. Familiarity also creates a sense of confidence that can be difficult to replicate abroad. Travelers know how to access health care, navigate transport networks and respond if plans change unexpectedly. With safety a key factor shaping destination choice, that peace of mind is part of the appeal.
Staying closer to home is no longer a compromise – it is a choice that offers greater flexibility, less stress and, for many travelers, a better overall experience.
Closer trips, greater value
What if the real luxury is not traveling farther, but getting more from the time you have?
Shorter journeys mean less time in transit and more time at the destination. Rather than maximizing distance traveled, people can maximize experiences: whether exploring a local city, reconnecting with nature or discovering somewhere new just a few hours away.
Travelers are building trips around interests, hobbies and lifestyles, rather than simply chasing famous landmarks or ticking countries off a list. At the same time, they are opting instead for more meaningful, locally rooted experiences that offer a stronger sense of connection and authenticity.
But a meaningful travel experience does not have to start with a passport. A cycling holiday, food trail, wellness retreat or hiking escape can be found just as easily a few hours from home as on another continent.
Staycation doesn’t mean risk-free
Traveling closer to home may avoid some of the challenges associated with airports and long-haul journeys, but it does not remove every source of disruption.
Many domestic breaks still involve prebooked accommodation, rail tickets, activities and event reservations. If plans change unexpectedly, those costs are not always recoverable and making alternative arrangements can quickly become stressful. It is worth checking cancellation terms, understanding what is refundable and deciding whether you have the right level of travel insurance and support in place should illness, disruption or other unexpected events affect your plans.
Choosing a holiday closer to home is not about limiting horizons. It is about redefining value: from miles covered to time well spent.
Based on a survey of 4,000 international business travelers across eight markets (United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Singapore) conducted by Opinium Research (December 19, 2025 – January 5, 2026). Respondents were asked to select up to five factors that most influence their choice of destination for leisure travel.
