Ulrich Reinhardt, Head of the Foundation for Future Studies in Hamburg, criticized already 2013 that the term Slow Travel is used to generous in the tourism industry. Using the slogan “Time for Feelings” even the TUI AG was advertising conscious travel. Slow Travel was partly “wine in old tubes” said Reinhardt. Idleness already existed in ancient Greek. Slowing down was not a new invention.
Furthermore, Slow Travel was classified as niche tourism. Silke Leder, Professor for Tourism Management, meant that the trend would never revolutionize tourism. Even though, a decrease of the classic adventure holiday was noticeable. But there would always be people who defined their image over travel. Party tourism and event travel would be also dominant in the future.
Slow Travel was graded as an exclusive travel type. The target group were travel loving and wealthy people. On the one hand, the trend meets the desire for slowing down of the busy people. On the other hand, Slow Travel is for the elderly interesting who do not like flying anymore and want to approach their holiday calmly.[1] This raises the question, if Slow Travel excludes certain people?
Families with small children are also critical towards Slow Travel. This includes for example Lena Marie and Martin Hahn who point out shortcomings of Slow Travel on their travel blog family4travel.de. They have three children, two teenagers and one little girl. This constellation required it to keep some things in mind, which individual travelers didn’t have to think about. Solely because of the travel expenses they would like to know where they are accommodated at the evening. When the night time arises, they wouldn’t like to simply take anything. Therefore they would book accommodations ahead.[2]
Hahns are using alternative accommodations and see the path as the destination. But they don’t want to give up travel guides. They traveled Romania for one month. A country, which holds stray dogs, rabies and bears. Being ahead well informed helped the parents to judge situations better.[3] They didn’t overtook Slow Travel as template in their travel. Instead they would just overtake the things, which suited to their family.[4]
Besides family Hahn a lot of German travel bloggers speak out for ahead planning and usage of travel guides. They criticize that is would’t work without travel planning. “To let go” or “Go with the flow” would be romanticized cliches.[5] One female travel blogger defends visiting famous sights. She connected one of her favorite travel experiences with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But therefore she hadn’t had to get lost or take a wrong turn.[6]
Many of the critical travel bloggers define Slow Travel by using the book “The Idle Traveler” of Dan Kieran (2012). However, Kieran is an extreme Slow Traveler. In his book he describes himself as individual traveler who likes to be on the road alone. He doesn’t plan anything and neither uses travel guides nor airplanes. The term Slow Travel is lacking clarification.
Pauline Kenny, who in 2000 formed the Slow Travel term, clearly recommends ahead travel planning. Furthermore, the travel type is construed extensively in the Slow Travel Manifesto. Even though it is suggested to avoid airplanes and famous sights – it doesn’t say it is prohibited.
[1] See Heimann, Andreas (2013): Warum pilgern nicht peinlich ist, In: https://www.spiegel.de/reise/aktuell/slow-tourism-warum-pilgern-nicht-peinlich-ist-a-935136.html (25.09.2020).
[2] See Hahn, Lena Marie (2016): Slow Travel: Ist das, was wir machen?, In: https://www.family4travel.de/slow-travel-ist-das-was-wir-machen/ (25.09.2020).
[3] See Hahn, Lena Marie (2014): Erfahrungsbericht: Wie sicher ist Rumänien als Urlaubsland? https://www.family4travel.de/erfahrungsbericht-wie-sicher-ist-rumaenien-als-urlaubsland/ (25.09.2020).
[4] See Hahn, Lena Marie (2016): Slow Travel: Ist das, was wir machen?, In: https://www.family4travel.de/slow-travel-ist-das-was-wir-machen/ (25.09.2020).
[5] See George, Stefanie (2016): Wie planlos ist slow travel eigentlich? – Teil 3, In: https://www.comfortzoneless.de/wie-planlos-ist-slow-travel-reisen/ (25.09.2020).
[6] See Bleistein, Iris (2016): Slow Travel: wider den To-Do-Listen? In: https://www.freiheitsgefuehle.com/slow-travel-wider-den-to-do-listen/ (25.09.2020).