Is the travel bug a genetic condition? Scoot may soon have proof

Young woman in car on mountain road looks at map for directions. Mountain lake landscape in Springtime with snow melting.

Guys, Scoot is teaming up with a world-renowned genetics expert to prove that wanderlust is a genetic condition!

WE KNEW IT! The travel bug really exists! Does this mean we can claim our travel expenses on Medicare now?

giphy

The Singapore-based budget carrier is embarking on an industry-first experiment to prove that travel is an innate human need – and not just a want – something Scoot refers to as Wandermust.

To do this, the airline is partnering up with world-renowned expert in Genetics, Human Biology and Neuroscience, Dr Richard Paul Ebstein of the National University of Singapore, to prove how travel is embedded in our blood.

“With the Wandermust Experiment, our goal is to use science to show that travel is an intrinsic need, rather than just a luxury. By gaining deeper insights into the preferences and habits of our customers, we can continue working toward our goal of making travel attainable for everyone,” said Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Executive Officer of Scoot.

“This partnership with Dr Ebstein also reinforces our commitment to continuously empower consumers so they can fully embrace their Wandermust.”

As part of the experiment, Dr Ebstein, who has extensively studied the DRD4-7R gene (carried by approximately 20 per cent of the population) and its link to novelty-seeking behaviours such as travelling, will specifically look into the role of genetics as well as the impact of cultural influences.

And guess what? YOU can be involved in this groundbreaking experiment!

Scoot is looking for ardent travellers who are willing to volunteer to be part of this scientific experiment. Aside from discovering whether travel is in their blood, participants also stand a chance to win 100,000 KrisFlyer miles – all the better to indulge their Wandermust with!

Watch Dr Ebstein explain the experiment here.

“I’m excited to hear from the seasoned travellers from around the world – to understand their nature and prove their innate need to travel through the Wandermust Experiment,” said Dr Richard Paul Ebstein.

“It’s encouraging to see that an airline like Scoot is leading the way in proving how travel is in our blood using science.”

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]