Key Takeaways
- UCF’s Alan Fyall says it’s normal to feel an itch to travel after the quarantines, restricted travel and sheltering in place from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Instead of rushing to hit popular destinations, focus on experiences that bring personal fulfillment and relaxation.
- Staying longer in fewer places can help you connect more deeply with local culture and nature.
- Incorporate activities that improve your health and mental well-being, like nature walks, spa treatments or digital detoxes.
- Small boutique stays and quiet luxury experiences often create more meaningful memories than flashy, crowded vacations.
What Is Revenge Travel?
Revenge travel originally referred to trips taken to make up for lost time due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was often marked by:
- Bucket-list international vacations
- Luxury travel and splurge-cations
- Visiting friends and family after a long time apart
The travel industry noted passenger traffic during the summer of 2023 hitting record highs, with some weekends surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Notably, they screened 10.4 million people over Labor Day weekend that year, according to the TSA. Nearly one-third of all U.S. households took a vacation in 2023, marking the peak of the revenge travel wave as reported by Investopedia.
What Sparked This Trend?
A year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to travel restrictions, quarantine and shelter-in-place rules that affected the world, UCF Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Alan Fyall, shared his predictions on this travel trend with The Huffington Post. He said, “The desire to visit friends and relatives will drive traffic to all destinations as families and loved ones reconnect.” The end of the pandemic caused people to want to explore the world and do what they were unable to do for so long.
Alan revealed the following themes about this trend:
Driving-Based Travel
As restrictions were lifted, some kept COVID precautions in mind. Many people felt safest in their cars and homes, traveling to nearby coastlines and state parks. Driving-based travel allowed people to quickly hit the open road to get to their destination.
The Urge to Splurge
After staying at home and distancing from others, big splurge vacations became prominent, as more people opted for business-class flights and travel upgrades.
Safe Travel Destinations
As the pandemic was ending, many people wanted safe travel to destinations that prioritized cleanliness. Alan shared recommended precautions and safety tips in USA Today. Hilton’s CleanStay Program and the Mayo Clinic stood out for setting the bar for protocols to help protect against infection.
Is Revenge Travel Still Going On?
While revenge travel dominated 2022 and 2023, the trend began to cool in 2024. Only 11% of travelers were still motivated by the desire to make up for missed trips, according to a Deloitte report in late 2023.
Rising airfare, inflation and a return to routine all contributed to the slowdown. Many people had satisfied that initial urge to go everywhere and do everything and instead started rethinking what travel really meant to them.
Now, post-pandemic travel has shifted from splurging and spontaneity to intentional, meaningful experiences. Instead of rushing to tick destinations off a list, travelers are looking for balance, value and personal fulfillment. They are seeking leisure travel that nourishes the mind, body and spirit, often with outdoor activities, rather than just social media moments.
This new mindset is showing up in several travel patterns:
1. Quiet Luxury
Travelers are choosing calm, high-quality experiences instead of flashy vacations. They like small boutique hotels, private stays and peaceful surroundings, enjoying trips that feel personal and relaxing. Many also value thoughtful details, like curated meals or quiet outdoor spaces, that make each stay feel unique and special. For instance, some travelers now seek small inns with locally sourced meals or private cabins with scenic views.
2. Wellness and Nature Tourism
Wellness travel—trips focused on health, rest and nature—is booming. Wellness tourism made up about $436 billion in 2020, and grew 30.2% annually from 2020 to 2022, according to Global Wealth Institute. On these types of trips, many people are going to spas, retreats, nature lodges and forest walks. Travelers often plan outdoor activities to unplug from technology and reduce stress while reconnecting with themselves and the natural world. Yoga retreats in Costa Rica or forest bathing trails in North Carolina are prime examples of experiences that refresh the body and mind.
3. Digital Nomadism
Working while traveling is more popular than ever. In the U.S., 18.1 million people now describe themselves as digital nomads. These are people who combine remote work with travel, staying longer in one place instead of hopping around. Average stay durations are increasing according to a recent study. Remote workers are becoming “slomads” (slow nomads) who stay in fewer places but for longer. Slomads use this extra time to learn local customs, join community events and enjoy a more immersive travel experience than typical short-term travelers.
4. Journey Traveling
This is a newer idea: the journey itself becomes part of the trip. Instead of flying directly to a place and rushing around, travelers are taking slower routes, lingering in towns and letting experiences unfold. It’s about discovery, not just the destination. Some travelers take scenic train rides, road trips along coastal highways or multi-stop itineraries to fully experience the culture and landscape along the way.
Learning About Hospitality and Travel at UCF
As the #1 hospitality school in Florida, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management offers a variety of programs for students who want to learn about hospitality and tourism. Our programs provide first-hand experience to help students succeed in this field. Students can choose from bachelor’s, master’s and graduate degrees and can explore hospitality management, hospitality and tourism management, travel technology and analytics and so much more.
Upon graduation, 97% of our graduates are placed with industry employers, including Hilton, Disney, Universal and top restaurants in Orlando.
What Is Travel Like Now?
Today’s travelers are more mindful. Instead of going big to make up for lost time, they’re focusing on purposeful travel, including slower trips, smaller groups and deeper cultural exchanges. Travelers are also more intentional about sustainability, often choosing off-season visits, eco-friendly accommodations and experiences that support local communities.
This evolution shows that revenge travel didn’t disappear; it transformed. The desire to explore is still strong, but it’s now guided by intention, not impulse.
If you’re interested in the hospitality industry and tourism, explore UCF programs today to start preparing for a career in this exciting field. Whether you’re interested in travel, events, hotels or theme parks, these degrees can open exciting doors for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revenge Travel
What does revenge travel mean?
Revenge travel refers to taking trips that were delayed or canceled due to the pandemic, often to reclaim lost experiences or indulge in bucket-list travel.
Is revenge travel still a thing?
While the initial surge has slowed, the spirit of revenge travel lives on through trends like journey travel, wellness trips and intentional travel experiences.
What is dark travel?
Dark travel involves visiting places connected to history, tragedy or the macabre—such as memorials, abandoned sites or battlefields. It’s motivated by curiosity, reflection and cultural understanding rather than thrill-seeking.
Can you really get paid to travel?
Yes, but it depends on your skills and industry. Influencers, travel writers, content creators and remote professionals often find opportunities to earn while exploring the world. If you’re interested in these opportunities, you may want to look into UCF’s Destination Marketing and Management Graduate Certificate.
Source References
- Altschuler, W. (2024, January 16). “Forget ‘Revenge Travel.’ Try a New Trend: ‘Journey Travel.” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/wendyaltschuler/2024/01/16/forget-revenge-travel-theres-a-new-trend-swellingjourney-travel/.
- Transportation Security Administration. (2025, September 3). TSA screens record 10.4 million individuals over Labor Day weekend: Summer of significant advancements at TSA. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/09/03/tsa-screens-record-104-million-individuals-over-labor-day-weekend.
- Hyatt, D. (2023, September 18). Americans took record-setting vacations in summer of ‘revenge travel’. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/americans-took-record-setting-vacations-in-summer-of-revenge-travel-7971205
- Deloitte. (2023). 2023 summer travel predictions. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/transportation/2023-summer-travel-predictions.html
- Global Wellness Institute. (n.d.). What is the Wellness Economy? https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/what-is-the-wellness-economy/
- Global Wellness Institute. (2024, March 25). A decade of wellness tourism: First-ever compilation of 10 years of market data. https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2024/03/25/a-decade-of-wellness-tourism-first-ever-compilation-of-10-years-of-market-data/
- MBO Partners. (2024). Digital Nomads: 2024 State of Independence Research Brief. https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/digital-nomads/
- Katz, H., & Savage, E. (2025). Slomads: The slow nomads—A study of digital nomad travel behaviors and long-stay patterns. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.21298