Within the last decades modernity has mainly been characterized by a strong acceleration “in which speed is the natural and welcome byproduct […]” (Molz, 2009). In the tourism context this became evident especially in the increase of air traffic within the last century.
While speed and mobility were connoted with positive magnitudes, slowness has always been considered as an unwanted type of moving (Molz, 2009). Though, recent discussions show an opposing trend which has been described in Gardner’s ‘A Manifesto for Slow Travel’ (2009).
Thus, this article focuses on the concept of slow travel and its components, as well as giving an outlook on the contextual embedding.
As beeing analyzed by Molz “pace is coded with particular ideological and moral significance”. While classifying speed as a symbol for modernity and advancement, stillness is often being connected with negative connotations such as boredom or stagnancy. However, according to Molz this concept has to be complicated by regarding slowness “as key element […] of modernity”.
Hence, slowness and its former negative connotations should be reconsidered. Corresponding to Gardner’s ‘A Manifesto for Slow Travel’, slow travel is about “making conscious choices” and decelaration. Thus, slowness in this sense can in fact be linked to positive values.
Instead of rushing trough several places, leaving cultures and locals untouched, Gardner advises travellers to engage with communities and learn at least a few phrases of the local’s language. These suggestions are part of Gardner’s guiding principles and furthermore include the request to avoid planes and use local transportations systems instead, as well as to opt for food and boarding that correspond to the visited region.
Similar principles can be found within the web community: “With Slow Travel you experience a deeper type of travel by staying in one place longer and seeing the things that are close to you” (Slow Travel, 2010). Here, the focus is as well set on rather enjoying one place thoroughly than racing through several ones.
The idea of slow travel has as well been picked up by several tour operators offering group tours. The tour operator- affiliation Slow Travel Tours (Slow Travel Tours, n.d.) believes “in traveling more slowly and seeing what’s around you, immersing yourself in the local landscape, the history and culture, the food and the wine, and the people.” The same idea can be found on the website of Slow Movement (Slow Movement, 2010), maintained by a family-run enterprise called Footprint Choices. Their focus lies on the connection to culture, the immersion process as well as engagement in the visited community.
The slow travel movement is no isolated field, but can be seen in a rather broad context. Carl Honoré, bestselling author of the book ‘In Praise of Slow’ (published 2004) states that the Slow Movement “is a cultural revolution against the notion that faster is always better.” According to Honoré this philosophy is not about doing everything slow, but rather finding the right pace for it.
A similar approach can be found within the gastronomy sector. The international Slow Food Movement started in 1989, when the ‘Slow Food Manifesto’ has been approved (Slow Food, 2010). It states that, “[…] Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes.”
As all these approaches have certain sustainability as their aim, one might ask why this concept has not been spread more widely and put in practice by more travelers.
As an attempted explanation it should be mentioned that there is a factor that limits the diffusion of this concept.
Despite Gardner’s prediction that “slow travel is not about money of privilege”, opponents might argue that in fact it is. Only members of certain social classes do have the time and funds to travel to other countries by means of slow-paced transportation such as The Trans- Siberian Railway. Thus, it has to be considered that “fast lives demand confirmed arrival times” (Gardner) especially as most people have certain committments as for instance work schedules which cannot be ignored. This implies that the slow travel- concept is not always easy to adopt.
Concluding it can be stated that in spite of the mentioned limitation the slow travel movement might be one step ahead in the attempt for deceleration ones everyday lifestyle at least at the most precious time of the year- the annual vacation- and at the same time contribute to richer encounters during ones travels as well as a better understanding and appreciation towards visited host communities.
References:
Carl Honoré (2008). In Praise of Slow. Retrieved Retrieved September 22, 2010 from Carl Honoré website: http://www.carlhonore.com/?page_id=6
Footprint Choices (2010). What is slow travel? Retrieved September 22, 2010 from Slow Movement website: http://www.slowmovement.com/slow_travel.php
Gardner, Jenny (2009), A Manifesto for Slow Travel. Hidden Europe, 25, 10-14
Molz, Jennie Germann (2009), Representing pace in tourism mobilities: staycations, Slow Travel and The Amazing Race. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Exchange, 7 (4), 270- 286
Slow Food (2010). The Slow Food Manifesto. Retrieved September 22, 2010 from Slow Food website: http://www.slowfood.com/about_us/eng/manifesto.lasso
Slow Travel (2010). What is slow travel? Retrieved September 22, 2010 from Slow Travel website: http://www.slowtrav.com/vr/index.htm
Slow Travel Tours (n.d.) Slow Travel Tours. Retrieved September 22, 2010 from Slow Travel Tours website: http://www.slowtraveltours.com/
Dear Sara,
Very nice title and an interesting article!
I agree with you and Gardner that this is not a way to travel for every tourist. I think that the number of places you see during vacation also depends on your age: While young people might look for a trip to see as many places as possible, seniors might prefer to stay in one place because they do not want the stress of “hopping” from one hotel to another. Furtherly, also the travel motivation plays an important role: If you look for an overall impression of a country, you might decide to see more places than the person who already has that overview and decides to dive into the culture more deeply. It therefore is your own personal preference what you do.
A threat to slow travel is that people get fewer days off during the year, so they might want to see as much of the world as possible in their restricted free time.
You really made me think my own travel behavior, so it must’ve been a good article! Thank you!
When im thinking off days people can take from their works in a current word, it doesnt seem to me realistic to believe slow travel. Even in Europe, retired people started to get less salary from the government and people started to force work more and more. When i think China, USA, it doesnt sounds realistic for todays world.
Even when we go to a holiday, we search for days to find best destination, because time is limited, and it should be spend in a best way. We read comments, reviews for the destinations.Slow holiday can be suitable for tourists who have enough time and money to spend.
Thank you for your comments, Julia and Gokce!
The point that you are both stressing is the one I myself was thinking a lot about as well. In these days many people have rather short holidays and want to get the most out of it. As they feel that their time is short and precious, they rather take a plane than other means of transport and visit ten places in one week.
However, there is still a group of people who see the concept of Slow Travel as a new way of thinking. Travelers might replace their annual trip to the Caribbean with a train trip to Italy and discover that experiencing a culture in all its different aspects (cuisine, landscape, host communities, language) can be far more satisfying and relaxing than island-hopping in the Caribbean or Europe in seven days.
I am curious how this trend will develop in the future!
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