The Value of Inspiring New Generations to Travel

By: Amanda Ross | August 23, 2022 | 6 Min Read

“Vacation? What is vacation?” Says the self-proclaimed work-a-holic who has not vacationed since she was nine. It is time to try to plan that vacation.

Traveling to exotic locations, rich cultural cities, and ancient ruined castles sounds like the adventure of anyone’s lifetime. Yet all I have achieved so far is to visit these types of places in video games. I have always wanted to travel, meet new people, try local foods, and to get away from the overbearing responsibilities that you gain by being an adult. (Adulting is hard.)

Aside from the financial side of it all, there are so many details that go into planning a vacation, I never really know where to start. The last “vacation” I went on, I was nine. I am now more than double that number, so it is well past the point of me needing a vacation—and not another stay-cation.

Not to mention all of the additional precautions and restrictions due to the pandemic, it makes traveling a little trickier than before.

My journey so far has only taken me as far as visiting some travel locations that I have heard of before, either on TV or through word-of-mouth. And yet, as I scroll through the major online travel marketplaces and try to decide where I would like to visit, nothing seems to capture my attention enough to the point that I feel compelled to buy a ticket or book a hotel.

Maybe it is how the mass market travel websites are structured. Or perhaps it is how the websites appeal to a younger generation. Or maybe it is my own indecisiveness.

Regardless, while searching for the perfect place to vacation, there are a few things I have noticed that could improve the customer experience.

Please, Show More Pictures

When I started this adventure-seeking journey of mine to try to discover the hidden wonders of the world, I found that my wanderlust was quickly met with extremely generic websites with very little imagery—and even cases of broken imagery. (As a designer, I find this funny as it is avoidable.)

Sadly, this is not the best way to start discovering new places and the awe they bring.

So, What is Missing? How Can This First-Touch Online Experience be Better?

This answer is easy; travel websites need more imagery. I may be an edge case, considering I am a designer and I pride myself on being a visual person, but I also feel like imagery is such a vital part of discovery. Images captivate audiences, stir emotions, rekindle memories; and yet, these travel sites seem to lack the invigoration of discovery.

While some sites do a decent job to achieve this, there are none that immerse me into a space that makes me say “I need to visit there, now.”

There is a unique opportunity to capture and share striking imagery from around the world that is not being utilized. First, hire local photographers. Send them to area hotels and scenic hot spots and have them take pictures for your website. With these photographs, you will find that not only will younger generations appreciate the time and effort, but they also appreciate the authenticity that comes with it.

As a traveler, I am giving you my hard-earned money, so I want to be sure the images I am seeing are authentic and accurate. Digitally capturing the view from a specific room and adding it onto a website is not difficult, it just takes time.

Statistically speaking, younger generations are more likely to spend their money with companies that are truly authentic and compassionate.

There is an App for That?

Sometimes, a travel site will have an app. Often, they will direct you to their mobile site. The main difference between an app and a mobile website is that an app is something that a user has to be willing to download and install. Otherwise, mobile sites and apps provide the exact same information and value.

Although more convenient and navigable that a mobile site, an app does require more upfront commitment. The steps to install an app include going to the App Store or Google Play, searching for the app, downloading it, accepting the download, and then waiting for it to install, then learning the new UI—which are too many steps for some people.

The incentive to want to download the app should be convenience. What does the app provide for me that the mobile website cannot? In my case, the app can provide notifications to help with planning.

While exploring on the app, I would like to save the locations I plan to visit and then be provided with relevant information about these locations. For instance, Sakura in Japan only bloom one season a year. If I get a notification of these unique and timely natural events, I can plan a trip. In this case, one that will immerse me in some of the most beautiful spring scenery in the world.

Quizzes for Indecisiveness

What is your ideal vacation spot? There is a quiz for that. 

Most of us know the types places we want to visit, but are not sure where they actually are. Let me provide an example to give a better understanding. 

While playing various video games that create such unique worlds, I find the desire to visit places the game makers used as inspiration. But if I try to Google search for interesting places to visit, I do not really know where to start looking.

However, a quiz can solve this. Before I know it, I can be shown a customized list of vacation destinations that I may want to visit in the future.

Relaxation can be Powerful

In a world where I feel we are more plugged into technology than that seen in The Matrix, younger generations seem to aspire, clamor even, towards the idea of relaxation. Vacations have always been the apex of relaxation, renewal, and peace.

This image above makes me want to start planning a trip to Santorini, Greece.

Between planning for the trip, organizing who is watching the fur kids, and even getting to the airport can be hectic, but the idea of the final destination is the fire that can keep someone going.

As a consumer, I want to see the whole hotel room, the view from the exact room that I will be in, and even how much hotel soap is on the sink (I love me some hotel soap). These types of details are vital to ensuring what I am paying for is worth it. My time is precious, and I want to be sure my travel company resonates the same feelings as I do about this.

Where is the Value?

Now, while I have probably made some people nervous about my stress level, being that self-proclaimed work-a-holic who has never actually taken a vacation since entering the workforce; I want to offer some important pieces of insight to travel companies as they start to navigate their appeal to a younger audience.

Imagery is vital. But it does not have to be a burden.

Amassing large amounts of images and processing them for the web can be daunting, time consuming, and costly. I have found the only way to achieve success is to work with a company that not only has a true understanding of image optimization, but why it matters to you. 

I have worked for LiquidPixels, Inc. for several years now, and when compared against other companies I have worked for, never have I worked for a company that so genuinely understands and also concerns itself with helping its clients achieve success in the digital space.

Even though travel has been impacted by global events that are beyond our control, it will not remain this way forever. I think there is an opportunity to inspire people who, like me, have no idea where to start looking, all with the right kind of imagery.

I plan to post this blog on my personal LinkedIn page, and I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment and tell me whether you agree or disagree, or even some suggestions of places that I should look into visiting.