IF you miss travel and suffer from wanderlust withdrawal, you’ve probably contracted “Wanderlost”, according to tours and activities platform Klook which recently commissioned a study with YouGov across 15,323 individuals in 13 markets in Asia Pacific.
There is pent-up demand and a genuine desire to remedy the Wanderlost Syndrome, it said. While there are many entertainment options, about 70% of respondents in the region have expressed that they are tired of watching yet another show or drama during the weekend instead of travelling. The same percentage of respondents have also admitted that they find themselves looking at past travel photos since they can’t travel.
So how do you know you have it? Here are four main symptoms to look out for.
Wanderlost Symptom #1: Torn between visiting family and escaping from them
Respondents in the region are feeling sentimental, with 8 in 10 respondents feeling unhappy about not being able to reunite with families this year due to Wanderlost Syndrome. The Philippines (89%), Indonesia and Malaysia (87%), Australia (86%), and Hong Kong (85%) are the most impacted by this.
But respondents also admit that they are keen to escape from their families, with more than half across the region revealing that they wish they can travel to escape from their families. Singles (62%), Gen-Z (66%), and Millennials (62%) feel the most strongly about this. This can be attributed to individuals being confined with family members for months during global lockdowns.
Wanderlost Symptom #2: Experiencing romantic dry spells
Many in the region are keen to travel to find romance. Close to half of respondents feel that Wanderlost Syndrome is preventing them from dating different people. Respondents in Hong Kong (77%), Indonesia (76%), and Vietnam (72%) feel exceptionally so.
Across all markets except for Taiwan and Vietnam, single males (65%) tend to be unhappier about being unable to make new friends and date different people, compared to their female counterparts (56%).
Notably, higher unhappiness is seen among those married with children, with about 6 in 10 respondents feeling unhappy because of Wanderlost Syndrome. This is especially felt in markets such as Hong Kong (87%) and Malaysia (84%).
Wanderlost Symptom #3: De-stressing from work is even harder
A majority of respondents in the region have used travel as a way to strike a work-life balance. Over 7 in 10 respondents disclosed unhappiness about being unable to travel to ‘unplug’ from work. Indonesia and Malaysia (86%), The Philippines (84%), China and Singapore (81%), as well as Taiwan (78%) feel the unhappiest about this.
Additionally, respondents also expressed difficulty in using their annual leave or holiday breaks without feeling like they are ‘wasting it’. This is especially true for Gen-Z (73%) and Millennials (71%). The results indicate that travelling is key to having a proper vacation.
Wanderlost Symptom #4: Eagerness to reconnect with friends or make new ones
People in the region who have used travel to connect with their friends and meet new people are eager to resume travel. 8 in 10 respondents expressed unhappiness about not being able to travel with their friends. This sentiment also cuts across all generations, with Gen-Z (88%) feeling the unhappiest about being unable to travel with friends, followed by Millennials (86%), Gen-X (81%), and Baby Boomers (77%).
About 60% of respondents across the region also feel unhappy that Wanderlost Syndrome is preventing them from making new friends. Of all the generations, Gen-Z (70%) feel the unhappiest about this. As a generation that values social currency, this strong sentiment doesn’t come as a surprise.
What’s the remedy?
“From wanderlust to wanderlost, people unmistakably miss travelling this 2020 and are keen to scratch that travel itch,” says Marcus Yong, vice president of APAC marketing, Klook.
“Despite international travel restrictions, we can still easily remedy our wanderlost symptoms with the endless things-to-do in our own backyard. From surf camps to island-hopping, Klook empowers our customers to get lost in their own backyard, while reconnecting with their friends, family, loved ones, and even themselves,” said Yong.
Klook has boosted its local offerings and now has more than 100,000 activities, services, and experiences. With that, it may bring us from wanderlost back to wanderlust.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
