A Broadsheet audience survey points to slower, less touristy, food‑focused travel with flexible bookings and trusted human recommendations. Here is how to turn those trends into healthier, lower‑stress trips that still feel special.

Why this matters now

Travel can lift mood, build fitness through gentle activity and strengthen social ties. A recent Broadsheet audience survey suggests many travellers want slower, less crowded, more local trips, and they put more trust in human advice than in algorithms. For anyone who values comfort, flexibility and meaningful experiences, this is a useful reset.

What the survey says

The Well Travelled report drew on two short audience surveys run six weeks apart. Headline findings reported by Broadsheet include:

  • 84 percent said travel is essential to their wellbeing.
  • 75 percent prefer open itineraries over rigid planning.
  • 79 percent are reconsidering where they travel because of global uncertainty, and 33 percent are booking later to preserve flexibility.
  • 72 percent avoid destinations that feel overly touristy.
  • 78 percent seek food and drink experiences, and 55 percent prefer exploring neighbourhoods over ticking off major landmarks.
  • 65 percent trust human recommendations over algorithmic ones, 58 percent turn to publications for inspiration, and only 14 percent report turning to AI.

Broadsheet’s audience is likely urban and culturally engaged, and the publisher did not disclose full methodology or sample details. The results are best read as a clear signal from that community, not a national average.

Turn the trend into a better trip

You can use these preferences to plan travel that is calmer, healthier and more rewarding:

  • Go slower and stay longer in fewer places, leave space for rest days and unplanned time.
  • Consider closer to home or short‑haul breaks that reduce stress and uncertainty.
  • Favour neighbourhoods over headline attractions, build days around local food and everyday life rather than long checklists.
  • Choose flexible, cancellable bookings, pair this with suitable travel insurance.
  • Time your visit for shoulder seasons or quieter hours to avoid heavy crowds.
  • Confirm accessibility and transport that match your needs, and note how to reach local medical care if required.

Working with a human adviser

The survey suggests many travellers still prefer human curation. If you use an adviser, be specific about what matters and ask for:

  • Flexible fares and clear change or cancellation policies.
  • Itineraries that minimise crowds, for example off‑peak timing and quieter neighbourhoods.
  • Accommodation and transport that meet your accessibility needs, with reliable local connections.
  • Food and neighbourhood experiences led by vetted local experts rather than long days of landmark hopping.
  • A simple health and safety plan, including insurance details and local medical access.

Smart use of tech without the overwhelm

The findings do not mean you must avoid digital tools. They do suggest that curation and judgement matter. Use trusted publications for ideas, then let a human adviser or local expert tailor the details. Keep digital tools for logistics, while leaning on human recommendations for what is worth your time.

A note on limits

Because Broadsheet’s surveys reflect its own audience and the full methodology is not public, treat the percentages as direction rather than definitive. Even so, the pattern is clear enough to act on: slower pace, flexibility, fewer crowds and human guidance are in demand, and they are practical levers you can pull now.

The simplest next step is to pick one change for your next trip: book cancellable options, plan around neighbourhoods and food, or shift to an off‑peak week. Small adjustments can deliver a calmer, more satisfying journey.

Watch

Find out more

  • Transport services for older people | Age UK — Age UK guidance on transport and local support for older people — practical information on accessible transport, community schemes and services such as travelling companions that can help with mobility and confidence when you travel.
  • About WFTGA | World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations — WFTGA’s official page explaining how to find qualified, licensed local tourist guides via its member associations — useful if you want vetted local experts rather than generic tours.
  • Refunds | US Department of Transportation — US Department of Transportation official refunds page — clear information on your rights to refunds and airline notification requirements if flights are cancelled or significantly changed in the US.
  • IATA - Passenger Rights — IATA’s passenger rights overview — an industry perspective on care, assistance, refunds and compensation for delays, cancellations and rerouting, and the common exceptions.
  • Best Travel Insurance for Seniors of 2026 — CNBC’s roundup of the best travel insurance for seniors in 2026 — comparative picks and policy details (medical cover, evacuation, pre‑existing condition waivers and Cancel‑For‑Any‑Reason options) to help choose suitable cover.

Image: Photo: Diogo Miranda / Pexels