- Travelers are divided on whether to repeat their vacation or try something new.
- There are good reasons to return to the same place, including comfort, friends, family and special memories.
- But there are also good reasons to get out and travel: it changes your perspective and makes your life more exciting.
Want to start an argument? Just ask a random family member where to take your next vacation. More to the point, should you play it safe by returning to the same place – or try something new?
But it's an argument worth making now. Here's why: The top destinations for summer 2024 are ridiculously familiar. Orlando, London and Cancun, according to the latest Allianz Partners survey. All those far-flung post-pandemic revenge travel destinations are a thing of the past. People want something safe and familiar.
But is this a good thing?
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Why is everyone arguing about repeating the holidays
Experts say there's a reason it's such a heated debate.
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“In general, when people come back to the same place over and over again, they want predictability,” said Thomas Plante, a psychology professor at Santa Clara University. “They know exactly what they're getting and how it works for them. This differs from those who want the unexpected by going to a new place every time they vacation.”
Let me acknowledge my bias upfront: I am in the second group. I don't have a permanent residence, and as a travel writer, I get restless after spending more than a week in one place. So I had to ask an expert to explain our penchant for identity.
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“When a traveler finds a place they like, they run the risk of going somewhere else,” said Jeff Galak, who teaches marketing at Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University“We've all had bad vacations, so when we find one that works, it's hard to leave it behind.”
I'm going to give the mic to both sides of this argument in a minute. But first, let me tell you who's right: yes, you can return to the same place – but not in the way you think.
Here's Why Repeat Vacations Are Awesome
Travelers have their reasons for returning to the same place again and again. Shirleigh Brannon, a retired librarian from Marin County in Northern California, travels to Anaheim, California, twice a year to visit Disneyland.
Her love of Disney vacations dates back three decades to when she first brought her son to the Magic Kingdom. Experiencing the Jungle Cruise or Alice in Wonderland through the eyes of a four year old was special.
“Lots of good memories,” she said.
Although she now knows every corner of the park, it's these special memories that keep her coming back again and again.
Another reason to rehearse is that your friends and family will be there. Janet Ruth Heller returns to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin every summer with her extended family.
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“We have good memories,” said Heller, a retired college professor. “Elkhart Lake offers many activities for families and is conveniently located for our loved ones.”
There is also a level of comfort. Bernard Nash, a professor of medicine in New York, loves exploring the world. But he also owns a timeshare in Aruba where he returns every year. He loves hanging out by the pool, taking long walks along white sand beaches, and dining at his favorite restaurants. And from time to time, he comes across people he knows, who are also there on vacation.
“It’s the perfect place to relax,” he said.
So, comfort, friends, family and special memories – these are all good reasons to repeat your vacation.
But I must warn you: you are missing something.
Why should you go out and discover something new
Other travelers would never repeat a trip. Marcy Schackne is one of them.
“When it comes to traveling,” she said, “it’s a done thing.”
Schackne, a marketing manager for a South Florida health care company, has visited all seven continents and is part of the exclusive century club, having visited more than 120 countries.
“There are too many people to see to go back and repeat the Groundhog Day experience,” said Schackne, who is flying to Greenland in July.
“Going to the same place every year would be boring,” said Kathleen Panek, owner of a guest room in Shinnston, West Virginia. “There is so much to see and do.”
Panek's parents taught her to read a road map as soon as she could recognize numbers. And she's been traveling ever since – mostly road trips in the United States and occasional adventures in Europe. His only regret is not having traveled more.
There's one more reason to get out and travel: it changes your perspective. And in a very polarized election year, stepping out of your comfort zone can make a real difference. Research suggests that travel can change your point of viewalthough there is no evidence that it will make you more liberal or conservative – just that it will change the way you see the world.
So, to sum it up, trying a new destination broadens your horizons and makes your life more exciting – and maybe even more interesting.
But saying that you should take every vacation to a new place would be wrong.
How to find a new place to visit this summer
Here are some ways to find a new destination to try this summer.
- Ask a friend. A word of mouth recommendation is always the best way to find a new place to visit because it comes from someone who knows you. Ask a friend or family member for a new place to visit. The answer might surprise you.
- Try the random trips button. Almost every online travel site has a feature that lets you choose a random place to visit. For example, Google Flights has a “travel suggestions” feature that will recommend inexpensive places to visit.
- Consult an expert. A qualified travel advisor can help you find a new place to visit. If you don't have a travel agent, you can find one through American Society of Travel Advisors.
Where to go this summer?
So should you go to the same place this summer or try something new?
Laurel Barton has the right answer. She lives in Forest Grove, Oregon, but loves the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Barton and her husband spend at least a week there every year.
“We know how to get around, where to go, what to do, options for inclement weather, where to shop,” she said. “No card required.”
But Barton also likes to explore. This summer, she is going to Iceland and Rome to create new memories.
Kristiana Capati-Choquet, luxury travel advisor at Embark beyondalso sees this duality in his clients.
“Seeing the same people in the same destinations contributes to the basic human need of wanting to belong,” she said. “On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who can't bear to repeat vacations and have a real adventurous side.”
It's nice to visit a favorite place this summer. I have a lot. I love Paris in July and Seattle in August. Utah is my favorite place in September – maybe one of the Mighty Five national parks.
But try something new, for goodness sake. You have no idea what you're missing.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott's Plea, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidentiala newsletter on travel and Elliott Report, a customer service news site. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can contact him here or send him an email to chris@elliott.org.
