Just as there are different reasons to travel, there are different ways to prepare for a trip. Whether it is a weekend getaway, an interest in ecology or the search for new experiences, Mexicans’ travel motivations are diverse.
A market survey by Booking.com, with more than 21,500 respondents in 29 countries, produced several findings about the interests and trends that shape how Mexicans travel.
Environmentally friendly
The survey highlights that 97% are willing to spend part of their vacation on sustainable activities, and 48% voluntarily pick up trash and collect plastic waste during their visit.
Another example is the cooperation campaigns that many cities run with tourists, such as recycling plastic waste, buying local products and using public transportation or bicycles.
In addition, 82% say they prefer brands that are committed to the environment: products that are biodegradable, reusable and recyclable, that can be shared and that do not harm their surroundings.
Finally, travelers expressed interest in experiences that put them in contact with nature in a non-invasive way.
Weekend trips
Any excuse to get away is a good one. 72% of respondents said they would like to travel more on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on long weekends and holidays. That means shorter trips with more specific itineraries, while still making the most of the time away to recharge.
Experiences
The meaning of wealth has changed: what matters is no longer accumulating money or things, as it was some years ago. The study reveals that 3 out of 4 respondents (70%) value travel experiences more than any material possession. That covers where they stay, what they eat, how they get around and the tours they choose. And if the experience can be shared on social media, even better.
Unusual
55% of respondents say they are inspired to do unusual activities or visit unusual places. Some examples: running down the side of a building (House Running in Munich), taking a diving tour of an underwater museum (MUSA in Cancún) or traveling to the edge of space (Elon Musk’s SpaceX).
Mexicans’ travel tastes have moved beyond the classic family beach vacation, and new trends are taking hold. Are international destinations ready to respond to these profiles?
The study was conducted by Booking.com, independently, with a sample of adults who traveled in 2018. A total of 21,500 people took part (1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea, and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Participants answered the online survey between August 10 and 30, 2018.
Originally published in Spanish in February 2020: Distintas motivaciones para viajar de los mexicanos.
