With the rise of “skillcations”—vacations centered around learning new skills, travelers are seeking more than just relaxation. Recent data via Future Partners found that 39% of American travelers showed interest in hands-on, activity-packed getaways, such as vacations that include outdoor excursions, cooking classes, and other engaging activities.
Some travelers are calling these types of trips “learncations” or even “createcations,” but what’s driving the demand for vacations that involve learning skills? Let’s dive into the world of skill-based vacations and what they could offer you for your next adventure.
What is a skillcation?
A skillcation is a trip focused on learning new skills or trying new activities, centered around learning.
“Travelers are moving past passive sightseeing and choosing trips where they gain a skill only possible in that place, with that culture and that environment. They want to do, to learn, and to come home with a new skill they couldn’t have gained anywhere else,” explains Alex Andreichuk, Founder of Altezza Travel.
The goal of this type of travel is to come home with something new, such as a skill, a creative spark, or even the confidence found from just trying something different.
Why are travelers seeking skillcations
“Over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in interest and participation in our on-site experiences – especially those that offer cultural immersion and artisan-led workshops that provide a unique local experience. Millennials, who represent nearly half of Vacation Club owners, are at the forefront of this trend. This generation values meaningful, hands-on activities that are unique to the location and create lasting family memories,” says Stephanie Sobeck Butera, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Hyatt Vacation Ownership.
Experiences like these help immerse travelers in local traditions specific to each destination, creating unique experiences that make for lasting travel memories.
“We see “skillcations” and activity-based trips are here to stay. Today’s travelers are looking for more than just downtime; they want vacations that are enriching, family-oriented, and reflective of the destination. The desire to learn something new and connect with others is driving a shift in how people travel,” she says.
Examples of skillcations
Going on a “skillcation” can look different for every type of traveler, providing a unique way to customize an experience designed to your interests. For example, guests at Hyatt Vacation Club locations in Santa Fe are engaging in pottery classes, while guests in San Antonio locations try tortilla-making classes. From cooking classes to self-guided art walks to salsa dancing lessons, each of these unique offerings provides a chance for guests to engage, learn, and grow as travelers and as people.
Per Hyatt Vacation Club, some of the most popular experiences at locations include salsa dancing lessons, tequila tastings, and authentic Mexican pottery classes at Sirena Del Mar in Cabo and ukulele lessons, hula dancing, and lei-making workshops at Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach in Hawaii.
As a frequent traveler myself, I almost always try to book a local cooking class in destinations I visit — something I find helps me learn new skills and learn more about the places I visit.
Other top players in the travel industry are adapting programs to meet the demand for “skillcations,” such as Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity Cruises recently launched its first destination-inspired cooking school aboard the Celebrity Xcel, offering guests a chance to prepare new dishes from each destination they visit. Options on board, such as hot glass blowing to sushi rolling classes, give travelers a chance to learn new skills, bringing home something intangible from their vacations.
