The many ways of traveling

Taking a break doesn’t necessarily have to involve booking a campsite or renting a cottage somewhere. You can also couch surf in Spain, house sit in Scotland or volunteer on a sheep farm in Canada. There are many other ways of traveling.

House swapping, house sitting, volunteering abroad in exchange for board and lodging: it’s nothing new, but the Internet has made it far simpler for us to get in touch with others worldwide and find such opportunities. Much like other initiatives in the sharing economy — such as sharing tools, meals or cars — other forms of going on vacation are on the rise.

It began during the 2008 financial crisis, says travel trend watcher Tessa aan de Stegge. “In the first instance it was from a financial point of view, but it’s certainly no longer just about money,” she says. “Even now that the economy is doing better, this form of travel remains popular. We’ve become world citizens. Like-minded people from all over the world seek each other out, and through initiatives on the Internet we know how to find each other more and more easily.”

This form of vacation fits in with the most important trend at the moment: meaningful travel. “We would rather be really there than just visit a place,” Aan de Stegge says. “Not racing through the highlights of a place, but having an authentic experience that gives our journey meaning and depth, for example by helping on the farm where you stay.”