Contiki hails the return of ‘retro travel’ in latest trends report

Marking the 60th anniversary of the youth travel operator, new research from Contiki and Pureprofile has revealed the best parts of travel are timeless.

The research showed that sightseeing remains the most loved part of travel with over half (54 per cent) of Aussies agreeing. It also revealed that Aussies love to travel to immerse themselves in new cultures (42 per cent) and new experiences (40 per cent).

The youth travel operator discovered that a holiday fling is no longer on the agenda for Aussies, with only 1 per cent saying they were looking for love when travelling. Friendships are a much more important part of travel, with one in six Aussies (16 per cent) travelling with friendship in mind, while women (41 per cent) are more likely than men (30 per cent) to travel to make new memories with old friends.

71 per cent of respondents said they feel like a better version of themselves after a holiday, and 64 per cent of travellers who headed to Europe, with Italy, Greece, Britain and Ireland and Spain as the top European destinations for 2022, said they will likely head there again for 2023.

There was also a reported uptick in travellers’ mental health following their holiday with 60 per cent ready to dive back into their day-to-day routine and 57 per cent overall happier with life. Dancing on the tables in Mykonos or a refreshing dip in Lake Como resulted in:

● One in four (28 per cent) feeling less anxious or depressed.

● One in eight (12 per cent) feeling loved and supported by their new friends.

● One in 20 (6 per cent) feeling finally ready to go after their dream job.

Feeling refreshed after a vacation isn’t a new thing, but young Aussies are the ones who feel it the most. Over four in five (82 per cent) 18- to 29-year-olds – compared to three in five (60 per cent) over 50s – feel like a better version of themselves after a holiday.

One in three Aussies (38 per cent) wish they could travel how they did in the 1960s. Retro travel is most desired by those who’ve done it, more than four in five (82 per cent) Aussies that are keen to throwback have travelled at some point in the 1960s to 1980s.

To remind people of the everlasting moments of travel and the importance of friends along the way, Contiki partnered with Aussie TikToker Millie Ford for the Sixties Suitcase Challenge. Armed with a Polaroid, a retro radio and some Swinging Sixties fashion, Millie experienced a Contiki Tour straight from 1962.

Millie Ford and friends travelling in 60s style

“Travelling with minimal technology and only the 60s-style essentials was definitely a challenge,” Ford said.

“In the early days I found myself reaching into my pocket to check my Instagram or find my way on Google Maps, but what this 12-day tour made me realise is I don’t need a phone or internet connection to meet new people and form a strong bond with one another.

“Socially, travel hasn’t changed much – I imagine back in the 60s you were still meeting people and making friends, and this is what made my trip such an unforgettable experience.”

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

contiki Tour Operator travel trends