Staycation | Tourism's Leading Trend for 2023

Author | Julio Costa Beyeler

After all, what does the term 'staycation' mean?

Image Source: Erik Mclean

There's no denying that over the last few years, people have demonstrated a higher level of concern about the environment and therefore, are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to their everyday tasks. According to a research led by Simon-Kucher & Partners on the Global Sustainability Study of 2021, more than a third of global consumers are willing to pay for sustainable options, with younger people leading the trend (Business Wire, 2021). 

However, sometimes it's difficult to apply that concept to activities such as tourism and travelling when we're actively looking for alternatives - it may seem like a minefield. While keeping carbon emission levels down to zero is unfeasible at the moment, the word 'staycation' stays on the rise as one of Ireland's leading trends for tourism in 2023 according to Failte Ireland. In simple terms, a staycation is taking a holiday in one's own home country.

Staycation as a trend in Ireland

The tourism industry was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic overall, however, if you've read our article on '5 Reasons to Visit Ireland' then you know that a return on overseas visitors and short domestic breaks have been the island's main focus to getting back on track in 2023. The domestic market has been growing exponentially by 73% (Malone, S 2023), and opens up possibilities for many sustainable tourism projects with focus on the reappropriation of Ireland, that means getting to know it with new and unfamiliar eyes. Not only that, but abreast of the cost-of-living crisis in the island, "staycationing" provides a cheap alternative to treating yourself to a holiday, after all, tourism shouldn't be an extravagance, but rather be affordable and accessible to all.

The Benefits of Sustainable Tourism

1. Reduced carbon footprint

If you're curious about how sustainable are staycations, becoming a tourist in your own city steers you away from chaos and into a less pollution on account of a reduced carbon emission from less air transportation. In comparison to a long haul flight which might emit 195g of CO2, a coach will emit 27g per km travelled, according to BEIS/Defra Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors 2019. All of this taking into consideration factors such as the number of people being transported, as fuller vehicles means that each person accounts for a lesser amount of pollution.

Image Source: Igor Starkov

2. Supporting local industries

Local tourism gives you the opportunity to experience authenticity in your travel by visiting small communities. The advantages of shopping local rather than in big chains is that you'll find products that you won't find anywhere else, which make for perfect gifts and souvenirs whilst supporting small entrepreneurs. Over the last few years, specially after the pandemic, people have been more inclined to support small business and want them to succeed, according to a research made by Salesforce. The numbers point to a margin of 56% of customers who'd rather see emerging businesses succeed.

3. Discovering hidden gems

There's no need to steer clear from international travelling, however, one of the many benefits of exploring your own home country is discovering hidden gems. If you're looking for examples of sustainable tourism in Ireland we recommend you read our article on 'Off the Beaten Path | Top 5 Reasons to Visit Ireland'.

Encouragement to explore Ireland's beauty and culture

Image Source: MIXU

In conclusion, there are many ways to include eco-friendly alternatives into your travelling routine. Staying local and small, shopping at small businesses, taking off the beaten path tours and giving back to the community are just some of them. As we enter the year of 2023 with an increased interest about sustainable options, eco-friendly tourism in Ireland is on its way to become the industry's leading trend, and as a tourism company ourselves, it's also our responsibility to ensure that we are promoting these practices in our own services.

What about you? How many places in your country have you visited yet? Did you already know about staycations?

#staycationireland #examplesofsustainabletourisminireland #sustainabletourismproject #howsustainablearestaycations #ecofriendlytourisminireland

References

• Business Wire (2021). Recent Study Reveals More Than a Third of Global Consumers Are Willing to Pay More for Sustainability as Demand Grows for Environmentally-Friendly Alternatives. [online] Business Wire. Available at: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211014005090/en/Recent-Study-Reveals-More-Than-a-Third-of-Global-Consumers-Are-Willing-to-Pay-More-for-Sustainability-as-Demand-Grows-for-Environmentally-Friendly-Alternatives.
• Malone, Sheila. “What Can We Expect from Tourism in 2023?” RTE Online, 3 Jan. 2023, www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0103/1343522-tourism-ireland-2023/.
• BBC News. “Climate Change: Should You Fly, Drive or Take the Train?” BBC News, 23 Aug. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49349566.
• Schmidt, Meredith. “Data Says Consumers Are Eager to Support Small Businesses, Here’s How to Prepare - Salesforce Blog.” The 360 Blog from Salesforce, 5 Aug. 2020, www.salesforce.com/blog/research-data-small-business-consumer-safety-digital/.
• Fáilte Ireland. “Tourism Barometer - Strategic Research and Insight.” Dec. 2022.

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