Do you remember 1984? This was the year that pound notes were taken out of circulation, all teenagers thought they were a character from The Breakfast Club and the high tech computer game of the moment was Tetris. Frankie Goes to Hollywood got Relax to number one and was banned on radio 1, Kevin Bacon was the dancing teen rebel in Footloose and not a parody of himself in a phone advert and leg warmers and snoods were the accessories of the moment.
Our holiday habits have changed since then too. Of course we booked our holidays through a travel agent, as computers were yet to take over our life, and mobile phones weren't widely used until the next decade. It seemed a simpler life then. Do you remember travel agents had a secret 'book' with unbiased reviews of hotels they stashed under the counter? If you wanted to read about places you had to look at travel brochures or guidebooks as there was no Internet as we know it now, no price comparison sites or review sites and no ability for the consumer to book hotels or flights online.
private pools almost seem essential to the modern traveller
Where we vacation has changed too. Our favourite long haul destination used to be the US but now Australia is the clear leader with the US second and Japan third. Our favourite short haul used to be Spain but now Italy is a clear favourite. We also have had a foodie revolution with nice places to eat nearby overtaking a swimming pool as an expected part of a holiday. We seem to want a little bit more luxury today and consumers wanting a private pool has more than doubled in the last thirty years. Foreign travel certainly seems more affordable today and things we used to think of as luxuries are now the norm.
Some things never change though - spending quality time with loved ones is still our number one priority then as now and the number one essential holiday item is still an old fashioned book. Relaxing from the strains of modern life is still a necessity for us although many of use can't be without our mobile phones on holiday.
Why don't you have a look at the infographic below and let me know what you think? Have your travel habits changed? Where did you like to go on holiday in the past compared to now?
James Villa Holidays - 30 Years of Travel Infographic
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great article, it's great to know 51 per cent of people enjoy going away with their family!
ReplyDeletewww.mybubbaandme.com
It is, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside :)
DeleteI love The Breakfast Club, can't believe that was 30 years ago - I am SO OLD!! Not surprised to see internet booking is the prefferred method these days, and I could never go without my mobile!
ReplyDeleteOr wi-fi!
DeleteOmg breakfast club was 30 years ago? Stop time someone please!!
ReplyDeleteLovely post
Thanks Clare. It's amazing how some things have changed to much.
DeleteI'm still reeling with the Breakfast Club being 30 years ago - really? Ouch! I think it's amazing how things have changed - and even my parents book online now! I remember reading the Ceefax holidays, that seemed very technological back then!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Ceefax and Teletext is still around.
DeleteGreat post! Love info graphics, this one show the truth! How much we changed, I even remember my childhood holidays - without all those gadgets, family time was most important and those old cameras were the best! The good old days!
ReplyDeleteDid you have a polaroid camera? Or one of those cameras with the wheel to wind the film on and then you had negatives back from the developer?
DeleteI love travel , the more adventure the better please . i want to travel all of the places now !
ReplyDeleteMe too Claire, I have travelled loads in the last year and still want to explore more.
DeleteI like posts with infographics, makes for fun reading and I cant imagine booking a holiday without using the internet, well Tripadvisor to see what somewhere is like x
ReplyDeleteTripadvisor is king in my household.
DeleteWhat a fabulous analysis, love the infographics especially. We haven't travelled in over ten years.... But I expect we would find things have really changed.
ReplyDeleteThis Infographic is great as it is easy to see the main points quickly.
DeleteTimes really have changed haven't they. I love that you can look up reviews on line before booking anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI love that too. Although review sites can be manipulated it does give you a good idea of the quality and standard of the accommodation, especially if there are lots of reviews.
DeleteI have to admit I'm only 23 still so don't remember half of these things lol I do remember the obligatory family holidays to Spain as a child until we found Greece when I was a teenager. As soon as I turned 18 I went straight to a long haul destination and travelled to Dominican Republic which was lovely and different. I can't wait to take my kids abroad and funnily enough Italy is my top choice for our first family holiday for the food and touristy bits!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Rome, Verona and Lake Garda. Can't wait to explore Italy more as I've always wanted to go to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento.
DeleteIts amazing how much our travel styles have changed in just 20 years. Back then it felt natural to think of a long haul flight to USA or short to Spain as our ideal holiday. Now we are looking at more exotic locations and demanding different things from our time away.
ReplyDeleteMy first overseas holiday was a coach holiday to Belgium.. do they still do these?
Yes I think so Jeremy. I remember going to Amsterdam on the coach, never again!
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