For those of us who are lucky enough to be able to hop into our car, board a boat or plane, and travel beyond our hometown, we can expect so much more than an escape from our daily routine. Travelling provides an incredible opportunity to expand our horizons, explore life experiences beyond our own, and (true to the core values of this online community) learn. 

Hi, I’m Cerys, the European Criminological Perspectives Editor for snsvs, and I’m not far away from finishing my master’s Psychology (Conversion) degree. I chose this subject to build upon my undergraduate studies in Criminology and Sociology, and to add depth to my understanding of criminality. Although I find crime and the criminal mind fascinating, it is the victims of crime to whom I find my heart gravitating, for it is so often they who find their lives turned upside down through no fault of their own. 

While travel and criminology may seem like an unlikely pairing, please allow me to demonstrate how the places we visit, the people we meet, and the cultures we encounter may have more to do with crime than they initially appear to. 

In this post, I’ll head back to the dawn of humanity to discover the historical roots of our motivation to travel, before following this story, albeit quickly, through to the present day, where I’ll consider just what it is that keeps us booking trips away! 

Taking it way back: Why did we start travelling for fun?

Humans haven’t always travelled for fun, but they’ve always been on the move. Early societies were nomadic, living transiently as they sought food, water, or other resources. By the Neolithic period, the development of farming enabled people to form permanent settlements, and the purpose of travel gradually shifted beyond mere survival.

Over time, travel became a regular part of life, primarily conducted for conquest or trade. Not everyone was travelling just for these reasons, though. Perhaps the very first travel blogger, Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, began to travel with a more curious mind, documenting the cultures and customs of those he encountered.

By the Middle Ages, recreational travel had become more common, often in the form of pilgrimages taken to visit sacred sites. However, tourism, as we know it today (but probably with less ice cream), only began to take shape in the 17th century, when wealthy young European men would set out on their luxurious “Grand Tours” across the continent, seeking to enhance their classical education with first-hand experiences studying art, architecture and culture. 

The Industrial Revolution “revolutionised” (I’ll proudly laugh at my own joke) travel once more, opening up the opportunity for exploration to even more of the population with the invention of the railways and steamships. Less wealthy travellers could now reach the coast, spa towns, or countryside beauty spots that had been all but inaccessible before, while steamships opened up transatlantic tourism to the upper echelons of society.

The advent of air travel marked another turning point. Initially, the airship dominated air travel, a mode of transport my partner is on a one-man mission to bring back because they’re “so cool”, but after the 1937 Hindenburg disaster, aeroplanes grew in popularity as they offered a faster, safer, and more reliable way to travel. Then, when jet engines were introduced in the 1950s, aeroplanes couldn’t be stopped; flights were not only faster and more comfortable, but also became accessible to an ever-growing pool of would-be tourists. Air travel truly shaped global travel, connecting people and cultures across the planet.

So, Why Do We Travel Now?

From just one passenger on the first scheduled international passenger flight, a brave journalist by the name of George Stevenson-Reece, to 1.3 billion international arrivals recorded globally in 2023, it’s clear to see that more people are exploring the world than ever before.

But, with so many destinations to choose from, what is it that drives people to travel recreationally?

1. Social Connection

Ahhh, holidays with your loved ones: they aren’t always the most peaceful and relaxing (I’m sure my detailed itineraries have nearly lost me some friends), but the memories are the kind that last forever. Travelling with family and friends strengthens our relationships by encouraging shared experiences and uninterrupted time spent with the people we care about most.

Whilst you may think that this is something that those who choose to travel alone are missing out on, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Solo travelling, a growing phenomenon, is characterised not by lonely people sitting in a corner staring at a wall (for the strange examples my brain creates, I can only apologise), but by meeting getting out there and meeting new people through group activities, communal accommodation, work or volunteering opportunities. Just by visiting solo-travelling hotspots, individuals become immersed in a world of social opportunities. 

Travelling is an inherently social activity, and the bonds that we build may last a lifetime.

2. Mental Wellbeing

Taking a break from the monotony of everyday life is essential, especially as the world faces a mounting mental health crisis. Time away from work or study has been found to interrupt stress cycles, reduce the risk of burnout, and generally have a positive impact on our overall well-being. Even after you return home, you can hope to enjoy improved sleep, greater creativity, and increased motivation in life. These benefits can be, unfortunately, short-lived, with research suggesting that the effects wear off shortly after we return to our routine: if you ever need a reason to book another trip, this is it!

Immersion in unknown cultures can also have some fascinating neurological benefits, as exposure to novel experiences is said to boost neuroplasticity, forming new connections in the brain that promote cognitive flexibility and innovative thinking. It sounds to me like going on holiday might just make you smarter, but maybe don’t quote me on that. 

Whichever reason matters most to you, taking time for yourself and exploring somewhere new can be an extremely beneficial experience, and the ultimate act of self-care.

3. Cultural Exploration

While enjoying some quality “R&R” at home can be wonderful, there's a unique joy in the new experiences that travel, whether in our home country or abroad, offers. Travel immerses us in unfamiliar ways of life, inviting us to step outside our idea of “normality” and experience different cultures firsthand.

This leads naturally into one of the most enriching aspects of travel: cultural exploration. 

But what exactly is culture? In broad sociological terms, culture refers to all aspects of human society that are socially, rather than biologically, passed down. It encompasses our ideas, beliefs, customs, and daily behaviours, and varies significantly between social groups. 

Culture, in its various forms, shapes every aspect of our lives. A shared culture helps us understand our place in society and what is expected of us. Travelling beyond our familiar cultural setting and encountering different ways of life can be disorientating and may trigger the earliest stage of “culture shock”, the “honeymoon” stage. This concept may sound frightening, but it's really not. When experiencing this, everything seems new and amazing, and it is hard to see any downsides. I can’t be the only person who spends at least an hour exploring the local supermarket when I travel somewhere new, right? It’s just so exciting!

These cultural contrasts are a significant reason we travel. Experiencing them broadens our horizons and expands our worldview. When we are open-minded and willing to try new things, we open ourselves to valuable learning about other ways of life, developing empathy, tolerance, and respect. In the process, it challenges our preconceived ideas of what is “normal” and deepens our understanding of our own culture.

4. Social Media

The final factor here is a thoroughly modern one: 21st-century travellers must now contend with the influential power of social media. When holiday recommendations once came by word of mouth or through engagement with more conventional media, now Facebook airport check-ins, aesthetically pleasing Instagram posts, and short-form videos shared on apps like TikTok have become a more common form of social influence. Businesses and travellers alike can point to the increasing relevance of social media in feeding wanderlust.

Researchers at the Expedia Group found that 77% of travellers use social media for inspiration in the early stages of holiday planning. A study of U.S. TikTok users also revealed that 35% of them had visited a new location solely because of TikTok. I don’t feel like I’m exaggerating when I say that social media is today’s most influential travel resource.

The long history of human travel has brought us to the present day, where those who are fortunate enough may enjoy the absolute privilege of exploring our diverse and beautiful planet. Encountering the wonders that the world has to offer is an intensely refreshing experience, both mentally and culturally. One takes time for themself, stepping back from the worries of everyday life, whilst also challenging their worldview and discovering alternative approaches towards life.

Travelling is also an inherently social experience, whether with your family, friends, or people who were strangers not long before. When we travel, we find ourselves immersed in a plethora of experiences. Perhaps next time you choose to take a trip, this article will prompt you to consider the motivations behind it.

Please join me in my next article, where I will uncover the unexpected connection between travel and crime. 

Please click the photo below for a collection of my European Criminological Perspectives columns:

Cerys Tandy is snsvs’ European Criminological Perspectives Editor. She is currently studying for an MSc in Psychology at the University of Stirling, having previously completed a degree in Criminology and Sociology. Whilst Cerys currently feels a little lost when it comes to her future, she is deeply fascinated by the study of crime, with a particular focus on ensuring that victims receive the very best care and support. When Cerys has time away from her studies, she loves escaping the city for hikes, loch swims, and wildlife watching with her partner in the Scottish countryside.