Intrepid’s 2019 Adventure Travel Index claims they’re witnessing a rise in consumers placing more value on experiences rather than materialistic belongings. In the heat of the Federal Election, and promises from both major parties to help first home buyers, Intrepid’s claims have been backed up.
Druvi De Silva, a 30 year old from Melbourne, saved $30,00 of hard earned cash in what he thought would be a ‘safe decision’ to invest in his first home. Instead, he spent the money on travel: “The main reason I made the decision to travel was because it was far more challenging to me than buying a house,” he told news.com.au in an interview yesterday.
Seeking out adventure is something that Intrepid Travel is built on: “It’s 30 years since Intrepid was founded and today, the demand for authentic and sustainable small group travel has never been greater,” commented James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.
“There’s a revolution happening in travel in 2019 as we explore the world with more openness and curiosity than ever before,” he added.
Joseph Cheer, Professor – Center for Tourism Research at Wakayama University in Japan comments in the Adventure Index that we are now living in the “age of travel”. He says consumer shifts see the harding of material possessions increasingly making way for the desire to have extraordinary life experiences, especially through travel.
Mr Silva spent 10 months travelling around The Americas as a solo traveller and says that his decision to choose travel over the pressure of owning a home was supported by everyone he spoke to.
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