A new survey by Booking.com reveals that first-time travel experiences can be the secret to success in life. The survey, which was conducted among more than 20,000 participants in 20 countries found more than one in 10 (13 percent) respondents switching their job or career, one in 10 (13 percent) changing their relationship, and one in five (21 percent) deciding to move somewhere completely new because of a first-time travel experience. Other survey results included the following:
—A first-time travel experience is more exciting than:
—A first date (53 percent);
—A first job (51 percent);
—Making a new friend (62 percent); and
—Even a first kiss for more than one in three people (36 percent percent).
—Two thirds (65 percent) of respondents say first-time travel experiences lift their confidence.
—Three in five (61 percent) think the well-travelled are more interesting.
—Almost half (45 percent) believe travel makes them more successful in life and career.
A life less ordinary—whether their first-time experience was travelling abroad, embracing a new destination, or traveling solo:
—Almost two thirds (65 percent) said that pushing themselves to take part in a new travel experience vastly increased their confidence.
—While first-time travel can seem daunting, most (61 percent) agree that any nerves felt before they travelled were unnecessary.
Re-energized and with confidence, we can be motivated to make more dramatic life decisions:
—One in 10 (13 percent) state a first-time travel experience has led them to switching their job or career;
—One in 10 (13 percent) saying a first time travel experience led them to change their relationship; and
—A fifth (21 percent) have decided to move somewhere completely new.
Respondents also claim that confidence boosted by first-time travel can also open doors to other life-inspiring opportunities, such as:
—Meeting new kinds of people (40 percent);
—Cooking and eating new types of food (43 percent);
—Learning a new language (29 percent); and
—Reading and learning about another culture (29 percent).
This impetus to experience and learn new things leads people to believe that those who have travelled to many places and have tried out different travel experiences tend to be more interesting that those who have not (61 percent), and that with all these new interpersonal and practical skills they tend to be more successful in their life and career (45 percent).
First-time travel thrills—a first-time travel experience can be such a momentous occasion in a person’s life that people deem it:
—More exciting than going a first date (53 percent);
—Landing their first job (51 percent);
—Making a new friend (62 percent); and
—Having a first kiss (36 percent).
And it seems that once people have the travel bug, it’s hard to shake with about two in three (64 percent) stating that experiencing places for the first time prompts them to visit other new places, experiences or accommodation in the future. In fact:
—Almost half (45 percent) plan to be more adventurous in their travel plans in 2017;
—One in two (56 percent) plan to travel further away from home.
—Over half plan to take more weekend getaways (54 percent); and
—Visit somewhere where their friends haven’t been (47 percent).
And the types of first time experiences people are keen to try in 2017 are broadening, with:
—Volunteering based trips (21 percent);
—Spiritual adventures (23 percent),
—Eco tours (39 percent); and
—Road trips (44 percent), proving to be popular choices for globe-trotting travelers.
Commenting on the survey results, Pepijn Rijvers, chief marketing officer at Booking.com, said: “The adrenalin and confidence boost that travelling somewhere for the first time gives us makes it irresistible. Our first time travel experiences open our minds, sparks our imagination and inspires us to continue trying something new or change direction in life. Once you catch the travel bug it’s simply contagious.”
