Passion Travel: Crafting Vacations Around Personal Interests

Author: Victor Block
Published: 2025/03/05
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Disability Travel America - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: Passion travel is reshaping tourism, allowing people, including those with disabilities, to explore destinations that align with their interests and personal passions.

Why it matters: This article explores the growing trend of "passion travel," where individuals plan vacations based on personal interests rather than specific destinations. It highlights survey findings showing younger generations' enthusiasm for this approach, with food, history, and music ranking as top motivators. The piece provides insights into how passion travel can be accessible to those with disabilities, emphasizing the benefits of a slower, more immersive travel experience. With examples ranging from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to TikTok influencers reviewing unique hotels and restaurants, the article underscores how this travel style fosters self-discovery, appreciation of different cultures, and the potential to develop new interests even after returning home. - Disabled World (DW).

Defining Passion Travel

Passion Travel: Passion travel is a journey driven by personal interests and passions rather than traditional destination-based tourism. It's about immersing oneself in experiences that resonate deeply, whether that's attending a music festival, exploring historical sites, or engaging in outdoor adventures. This type of travel is characterized by a shift from merely checking off places on a bucket list to seeking out unique, personalized experiences that align with one's hobbies or passions. For instance, fans might travel to attend a concert by their favorite artist, or enthusiasts might embark on dinosaur-themed tours. Passion travel is not just about where you go, but why you go there, fostering a more thoughtful and fulfilling travel experience that often leads to personal growth and memorable connections. It turns travel into a transformative experience, where every moment feels purposeful, enriching, and deeply fulfilling.

Introduction

Amanda Syrowatka, a travel expert and director of the Viceroy Bali resort in Indonesia, suggests to people who are planning a vacation that they "focus on experiences that fuel your passion," then select a destination where they are available.

Richard Burgon, who provides advice and assistance about recreational vehicles on his rovinrv.com website, prefers journeys based primarily upon his personal interests rather than specific locations.

Both of these savvy sightseers are describing the use of travel as a means of self-expression and self-discovery. In recent years, this type of tourism has come to be known as "passion travel," and has attracted a constantly growing number of fans and participants.

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According to a recent survey by thrillist.com, which bills itself as "the go-to digital media publication for passion-led travel," 77 percent of members of the Gen Z and Millennial generations identified with the concept of passion travel. The subjects of interest for these narrowly focused trips varied.

Food, history and music ranked highest among all of those who responded to the survey questions but the answers varied by age group. While 73 percent of Gen Z'ers said they would consider planning a trip around culinary experiences, just 49 percent of Boomers agreed. A total of 43 percent of Millennials might plan a vacation based upon a favorite movie or TV show, but only 25 percent of Millennials agreed with that.

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American Cruise Lines ship. — This image depicts a luxurious white cruise ship named "American Eagle," operated by American Cruise Lines, sailing on a calm, vibrant blue body of water under a clear sky with scattered clouds. The ship features multiple decks with numerous windows, offering expansive views for passengers, and is adorned with a flag displaying red, white, and blue colors, likely representing the American flag, on its upper deck. The surrounding landscape includes lush, green islands and distant shorelines with trees, suggesting a scenic, tropical or coastal environment. The ship's sleek design and the serene water create a peaceful and inviting scene, ideal for a relaxing cruise experience - Image Credit: American Cruise Lines (Supplied by Victor Block).

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Fortunately, passion trips can be planned for those who use a cane or wheelchair, or have another disability. Travelers may look for destinations and itineraries without major mobility challenges, and things to see and do which are disabled friendly. The slower pace welcomes participants whose activity abilities might face obstacles in other places doing tougher pursuits.

Probably the ultimate example of music-oriented passion travel was related to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which lasted from March 2023 to December 2024, and encompassed 149 shows across five continents. The concerts served as a retrospective of all of Swift's studio albums, ran for close to four hours and became the highest income-grossing tour of all time. Millions of "Swifties," as her fans are known, centered travel plans to coincide with one or more of the concerts.

A devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen whom I know, who lives in New York City, has traveled to New Jersey, Philadelphia, Austin, Montreal, Copenhagen and Florence, Italy to attend concerts by his favorite entertainer.

Some passion pioneers like to share their interest with others. Beverly Ugwu, a London-based TikToker, has gained millions of views on her "Is It Worth the Wait?" series which explores London's sometimes overhyped restaurants. Rhianna Taylor's TikTok presentations give viewers a rundown on the pricing, cleanliness and other attributes of "Unique Hotels You've Probably Never Heard Of." Not surprisingly, this type of travel offers a variety of potential benefits and learning experiences to those willing to give it a try.

Your curiosity is aroused. Temporarily leaving your everyday life behind, you enter a new environment to be explored. You learn how people in other places live, why they follow various customs and other fascinating facts about their ways.

You enjoy life in the slow lane. People who frantically try to take in the entire Louvre in a single day, or several European countries in two weeks, are likely to return home exhausted and stressed. Slowing down the pace actually allows you to experience, and appreciate, more.

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Crowd viewing Mona Lisa portrait at the Louvre. — This image depicts a crowded scene at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where a large group of people is gathered to view the iconic Mona Lisa portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. The crowd, consisting of individuals of various ages and appearances, stands closely together, many holding up smartphones and cameras to capture the artwork. The Mona Lisa is displayed in a framed portrait on a dark blue wall, encased in protective glass and positioned within a white rectangular frame. The atmosphere is bustling and vibrant, reflecting the painting's immense popularity and the global fascination with this masterpiece. The dark blue background contrasts with the golden frame of the painting, drawing attention to the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa amidst the sea of onlookers - Image Credit: Bjorn Houdal/Dreamstime.com (Supplied by Victor Block).

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If things go wrong, focus on what you can control. You can't change a missed flight or closed museum, but you can control your reaction to bad news. Will you become anxious and annoyed, or realize that it's best to focus on what you can do to improve the situation - or, if you can't, how to accept it.

You may learn, or increase your ability, to notice and appreciate beauty in small, everyday occurrences that we might overlook and ignore where we live. That might include the rustle of leaves on a lawn in autumn, or the calls of a song bird in the morning. I recall my reaction to the first time I enjoyed the scent of fresh-baked bread wafting out of a neighborhood bakery in a small town in France.

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Song bird singing. — This image captures a vibrant European robin, a small songbird, perched on the bare, twisting branches of a tree against a clear blue sky. The robin, known for its bright orange-red breast and face, stands out vividly, with its beak open as if in mid-song, suggesting a melodious tune. Its brown wings and tail are neatly folded, and the surrounding branches, some adorned with tiny red buds, frame the bird naturally. The scene evokes a sense of springtime and the cheerful presence of nature, with the robin's song likely filling the air on this serene day - Image Credit: Gorgio/Dreamstime/com (Supplied by Victor Block).

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Perhaps best of all, you might discover new passions you'd like to check out when you return home. After loving a 12-passenger barge trip that I took through canals in France, I signed up for American Cruise Lines boat voyages along picturesque rivers in the United States. Following my inspection of the Gardens of Versailles, which French King Louis XIV ordered to be created in 1661, I visited several world-class plantings located not far from where I live.

These are examples of passion travel that I experienced overseas, and continue to enjoy in the United States. You might wish to keep this in mind as you plan your next trip.

Many travel agents can plan a trip based upon a client's passions and preferences.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Passion travel offers a refreshing alternative to conventional tourism by focusing on personal fulfillment rather than rigid itineraries. For those with mobility challenges, this approach provides a flexible and enriching way to explore the world at a comfortable pace. Passion travel isn't just a fleeting fad-it's a refreshing shift that invites us to rethink what a trip can be. Beyond the usual rush to check off landmarks, it offers a chance to connect deeply with what moves us, whether that's a plate of pasta in Italy or a concert under foreign skies. For those who've felt travel was out of reach-maybe because of age or disability-this trend quietly insists otherwise, proving you don't need to climb mountains to find meaning on the road. It's a gentle nudge to chase what lights you up, and in doing so, uncover a world that's been waiting to meet you halfway. Whether it's music, food, or history that fuels the journey, passion travel is a meaningful way to connect with experiences that resonate deeply. - Disabled World (DW).

Author Credentials: Victor Block has been a travel journalist for many years, and has written for major newspapers, magazines and travel websites and served as an editor of Fodor's Travel Guides. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. Victor is a regular contributor of reviews to the Disabled World travel section. Visit Victors's biography for further insights into his background and expertise.