These days it can often feel that negative and polarising views run rampant, but there’s good news for those looking to break free from side-eyes and raised eyebrows, as new research suggests travel could be the answer to banishing our inner cynic.
Revealed in 2023 World of Options study by KAYAK, travel has a significant impact on our outlook on life and our opinions on others. An overwhelming majority of those surveyed say that travel has given them a new perspective of the world, while others reported a boost in other aspects of their life including optimism, personal growth, and open-mindedness.
Here are some of the changes travellers could expect as they dust off their passport more, according to the UK study:
Travel helps you see yourself and the world differently
According to the findings, the ‘Eat, Pray, Love Effect’ may be more than just a cliché, with the findings showing a strong link between travel and self-discovery.
A staggering 8 in 10 Brits say travel has given them a new perspective of the world, and around 3 in 4 say travel has given them a new perspective on life itself. So much so, that nearly a third (31%) have even made a life-changing decision as a result of a travel experience, be it pursuing a new dream, a job change or moving to another place.
Your life becomes a no judgement zone
Travel exposes individuals to diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life, but many question if it really has the power to change someone’s deeply held attitudes and beliefs. But this could very well be the case, as the study found one in four (26%) of people changed their negative opinion about a country, its culture or its people after visiting the destination.
Almost four in five (79%) said that travelling deepens their understanding of cultures they’d only ever encountered from a distance.
Strengthens your bulls**t detector
With social feeds these days overflowing with picture-perfect landscapes and flawless selfies, the line between authentic experiences and carefully curated illusions gets blurred. But as you travel and see the world for yourself, you’re more likely to cut through the B.S. The majority of those surveyed who travel regularly reported they were more easily able to define the difference between social media vs reality (62%), while over half (54%) say travelling makes them trust their own beliefs and opinions more.
Evan Day, KAYAK UK commented, “The research findings show that travel is good for the soul. It not only broadens your horizons, but makes you less prejudiced about other people and cultures. Visiting somewhere you might have ruled out for whatever reason can change your opinion on a country and its culture, so don’t be afraid to visit a place you normally wouldn’t consider.
“And it isn’t about how far you travel, or how much money you spend on holidays, it’s what you do when you get there. Exploring every trip with an open mind, cleared and unswayed by preconceived opinions, and help you to see the world differently – and arguably a better person for it!”
To read the full World of Opinions study, visit kayak.co.uk/c/go-see-for-
