Why the Luxury Sabbatical Trend Looks Built to Last
Photo Caption: A family enjoys Lake Oeschinensee in Switzerland. Sabbaticals are growing in popularity with high-end consumers.
Skift Take
This is only the beginning of the sabbatical movement — a flash point in which trends in work, mindfulness, technology, and access all come together. Expect high-end consumers to become accustomed to the idea of taking extended leaves with their family at regular intervals, especially as the millennial generation ages.
A true sabbatical is the definition of luxury. Most people would consider it a privilege to take time away from the responsibilities of work with the intention of exploration, learning without an objective, or for deep inner reflection.
While sabbaticals were once reserved for those in academia, in recent years, there's been a growing trend toward adult gap years — or at least adult gap months. As a result, there are a number of travel companies lining up to become the experts in this area.
There are several key features of sabbatical trips that make them a particularly compelling business for luxury travel companies. First, they are long. Sabbaticals tend to last between three and 12 months. Additionally, many customers arrive with the idea that anything is worth the cost for this rare opportunity — a budget mindset similar to planning a wedding or honeymoon.
"We’re seeing a big spike in people returning to places they backpacked when they were younger — but now going
