One trend that saw a boom this year has been that of travelling to see athletic events. Following favourite sports teams, or flying to watch the likes of the Olympics, the Euros and the F1 has been incredibly popular in 2024, and, according to an AMEX survey, this will only become more so. The survey also suggests that many super fans plan to travel for six hours or more in 2025.
Similarly, fans have been racking up the air miles to fly to see their favourite musicians, with global and nationwide tours from the likes of Taylor Swift and Oasis. This has been especially true as fans haven’t been able to get tickets for nearby locations and so have been purchasing for shows in other cities.
So, in this coming year, it is important that we are mindful of our own consumption and are committed to sustainable practices...
Of course, this, however, brings into focus the ever-growing concern of emissions and climate change. By the end of her Eras Tour in early December, Swift herself will have flown an estimated 43,688 miles, cumulating roughly a whopping 510,000 kg in C02 emissions. Bear in mind that also millions of fans have been flocking to see her and other concerts from across the world, adding to this air traffic.
So, in this coming year, it is important that we are mindful of our own consumption and are committed to sustainable practices. For example, instead of travelling to far-flung corners of the world on bucket list-style trips, why not follow the trend of destination dupes? Many are considering trips to the likes of Albania, dubbed the ‘Maldives of Europe’.
As Jorge Luis Borges once said, “I am not sure that I exist, actually. I am all the writers that I have read, all the people that I have met, all the women that I have loved; all the cities I have visited.”
The bottom line is that we must keep travelling but remember that we are stewards of the world! It is a fantastic way to combat the increasingly individualistic and fragmented world we live in today. It erodes our prejudices, broadens our perspectives and gives us a well needed top up of our tans and tequila!