Solo travelling is supposedly the best thing we can do in our youth, yet a scientific study might tell us otherwise. Travel Editor Ella Ruddle discusses the benefits of group travel.
We all know travel is good for us. It broadens our perspectives, allows us to meet new people, and allows us to learn more about the world while having a lot of fun. Travellers know these things from experience, but as someone looking to book a trip outside their comfort zone, maybe some neuroscience will help you take the leap!
Contiki, a travel company founded in 1962 by New Zealander John Anderson, specialises in group trips for young travellers to over 70 countries worldwide. They know how important travel is for young people, and in 2024, they decided to put this theory to a scientific test.
In an industry-first travel experiment, Contiki partnered with Mindplay to track the brainwaves of travellers to see just how beneficial travelling is for our minds. Five people were sent on five different trips with varying profiles: 31-year-old Maddy Macrae from Australia went to the Greek Islands, 22-year-old Mollie Pearce from the UK went to Northern Thailand, 21-year-old Bradley Riches from the UK went to Italy, 35-year-old Michelle Leung from the United States went to Southern Africa, and 27-year-old Coleman Geiger from the United States travelled through Europe.
Each candidate wore a headset designed by Mindplay with electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to record their brain activity. The headsets monitored their brainwaves and took photos during heightened brain activity. When their brainwaves exceeded 90% of baseline activity the camera would be set off, that way Contiki could track where and why the traveller's brainwaves were spiking.
Comparatively, the level of joy experienced is 'the same dopamine rush as a footballer scoring the winner 10 times a day.'
Nick Roberts, senior editor for Six-two, reported on the findings. Roberts explains how the traveller's happiness, engagement, relaxation, creativity, and learning were all impacted significantly. One participant said, “I didn’t realise how much I was going to be setting off the camera.” The report indicated, too, that the impact on travellers wasn’t temporary but fostered long-lasting mindset shifts.
Increased happiness is an obviously common outcome of travelling but according to the study, participants experienced 10 moments of euphoria on average daily. Comparatively, the level of joy experienced is “the same dopamine rush as a footballer scoring the winner 10 times a day.” I’m sure we could all use a dose of this joy during the winter months.
The report revealed we engage more intently when we travel, too. The travellers averaged 151 peaks of hyper-focus per trip, which Roberts suggests is comparative to a brain surgeon carrying out an operation. All participants entered a flow state when they were completely absorbed in an activity. On account of the all-pervasieness of social media, our attention spans have been lowered dramatically; hardly able to concentrate any longer than a 30-second video. Travelling could be the antidote to our dwindling focus.
If you are feeling creatively burnt out or uninspired, according to the study, travellers' creativity ‘spiked’ on average 76 times a day and ‘peaked’ 11 times per day.
The study suggested travelling is also incredibly relaxing, despite how much you are moving around. The participants experienced 18 moments of ‘zen’ on average every day while travelling. The brain activity that indicates this level of relaxation, according to Roberts, is comparable to what the “zen monks experience during meditation.” So, travelling can bring us joy, improve our attention spans and provide a much-needed intermission away from our busy schedules. I think it’s time to book our next trip.
But the perks continue! If you are feeling creatively burnt out or uninspired, according to the study, travellers' creativity ‘spiked’ on average 76 times a day and ‘peaked’ 11 times per day. Travelling isn’t all beach lounging and club hopping but a learning experience too. The travellers had 12 learning moments each day when on their respective tours. Gaining new experiences and perspectives from travelling will leave you feeling inspired and full of fresh knowledge on your return home.
All of the findings above might have been easy to predict, but the most definitive result of this study was how travelling with a group of strangers elevated the participant’s experience. Robert explains “Whether they preferred activities like cycling, trying new food, walking through the city or spotting animals on safari, their brainwaves recorded higher peaks and lower stress while they were surrounded by other members of the group versus alone.”
Solo travelling has peaked in popularity in recent years for how it instils travellers with confidence, strengthens a sense of self and teaches you to enjoy your own company. However, this neuroscience tells us just how powerful group trips can be. Contiki is a company built around group trips but it’s not alone in this endeavour. Companies like ‘Stoke Travel’ and ‘Gals Who Travel’ provide similar experiences for young people around the world.
80% of people in this study experienced an 'increased openness to new social connections.'
While “brainwaves don’t lie”, I thought if you weren’t already convinced, I would give you some first-hand evidence as to why group trips can be life-changing. In 2024 I solo backpacked around Europe but decided to book three group trips to break up the solitude. As someone who loves planning their own itinerary, I was apprehensive to go through a group booking. However, waking up each day knowing everything had been planned for me was pure bliss.
The report is true, I experienced joy, relaxation and easy focus every day. I learned a lot about surfing and felt inspired by yoga sessions. But as the travellers in this study explain, it’s the group element that is most memorable. Arriving on a group trip, knowing that no one is a major threat, and getting to experience the world with new people is truly unforgettable. Surfing in Portugal and Hiking in Albania are sure ways to make quick friendships. I still talk to people I met on these trips.
80% of people in this study experienced an “increased openness to new social connections.” When you go travelling with your friends from home, you aren’t as pushed to seek out new connections. However, when you are plunged into the deep end on a group trip, you immediately open yourself up to new people.
Group trips aren’t for everyone, but the science says it’s something we might want to try. Whether you join a group tour or not, this study shows us the benefits that travelling has on our brains. Travelling is often seen as a way to skive off from our studies but Contiki makes it clear, travelling feeds our minds just like university does.