Books, films, friends, and school all play a significant role in shaping a child’s desire to travel, according to recent research conducted by Original Travel. The study revealed that children are heavily influenced by their peers, as well as by the media they consume and the education they receive. Surprisingly, parents often underestimate the impact of these external factors on their children’s travel aspirations.
Among the children surveyed, a staggering 80.6% expressed a desire to visit a destination recommended by their friends. This highlights the importance of peer influence in shaping travel preferences. Additionally, 67.6% of children cited books, such as those by popular authors like Michael Morpurgo and Phillip Pullman, as sources of inspiration for their travel dreams. Films also played a significant role, with movies like Paddington, Encanto, and The Lion King sparking wanderlust in 63.9% of the young respondents.
In contrast, parents seemed to be less aware of the impact that books, films, and friends have on their children’s travel aspirations. Only 29.2% of parents believed that external influences played a role in shaping their child’s travel desires. This disconnect between parents and children underscores the need for parents to pay closer attention to the sources of inspiration that drive their children’s wanderlust.
Interestingly, the study also found that school curriculum can be a powerful motivator for travel. While only 33.8% of parents thought that their child’s education influenced their travel plans, 55.3% of children reported that learning something at school had inspired them to visit a particular destination. Subjects like history and geography were cited as the main drivers, with destinations like Egypt and Rome standing out as places that brought learning to life.
Despite the influence of external factors like friends, books, films, and school, both parents and children agreed that family influence played a relatively minor role in shaping travel aspirations. Only 20.3% of parents believed they had any influence, while 37.8% of children agreed. This suggests that parents may need to be more proactive in exposing their children to diverse travel experiences and educational opportunities.
Tom Barber, Co-founder of Original Travel, emphasized the importance of exposing children to a variety of influences to inspire a love of travel. By incorporating books, films, and educational experiences into their children’s lives, parents can help cultivate a passion for exploration and discovery. Barber also highlighted the benefits of early exposure to travel, noting that it can broaden young horizons, foster a greater appreciation of the world, and even shape future career paths.
In conclusion, the research conducted by Original Travel sheds light on the diverse influences that shape a child’s desire to travel. By recognizing the impact of friends, books, films, and school on children’s travel aspirations, parents can play a more active role in nurturing their children’s wanderlust. Ultimately, fostering a love of travel at a young age can have lasting benefits, enriching children’s lives and opening up a world of possibilities.