The term ‘revenge travel’ first became popular post-COVID, when people couldn’t wait to get out and about after the weird days of lockdown. The concept of revenge travel has now moved on, covering any travel that celebrates newly found freedom – or life fulfilment.
“The idea of ‘making up for lost time’ has always been at the core of revenge travel,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa. “But it’s shifted to people who are looking to travel at pivotal moments in their life. For example, those whose children have flown the nest and who finally have school or university fees behind them, or retirees, people on sabbatical or a career break, and even those looking for a wellness trip after a prolonged period of stress or ill health.”
But empty nesters are leading the way. According to Forbes, the 60+ demographic (many of whom are empty nesters) is reshaping luxury travel as they embrace SKI trips (aka spending kids’ inheritance) and focus on living their best lives.
Turner says that niche travel is important for this demographic. Think culinary tours, walking holidays, heritage tourism and small, guided tours.
“These travellers are rediscovering themselves through travel,” explains Turner. “They’re booking extended stays in destinations they couldn’t necessarily consider when raising children, and looking for really immersive, cultural experiences in places like Provence or Tuscany.”
According to Turner, there are particular advantages to ‘empty nest’ travel:
- Extended trips. No longer constrained by school terms or academic calendars and commitments, empty nesters can dictate when – and for how long – they travel.
- Enjoyment at simply being a tourist. Extra time in a destination means you can really get under the skin of a place and seek out different restaurants, experiences and excursions without rushing from A to B. Ultimately, you get to do what you want to do, with fewer opinions to consider and fewer people to manage.
- Shoulder season. Flexibility with travel dates means you can avoid peak tourist times and enjoy quieter moments – and cheaper accommodation.
But it’s not all completely selfish. Turner says that mixed-gen getaways are also on the rise – with families travelling together over the long December holidays, and well into the new year.
“It’s a global trend,” says Turner. “Research by Virtuoso shows that multigenerational travel increased by 35% in 2024, with a particular focus on exclusive-use villa rentals, where families can reconnect and relax together.”
Interestingly, Turner notes that mixed-gen travel often works both ways, with Millennials and Gen X taking their folks along on holiday to help with childcare or grandparents picking up the travel tab so they can enjoy quality time with their children and grandchildren. “Ultimately, group travel is also about maximising value – and leveraging group discounts wherever possible,” says Turner.
As mentioned, career breaks and strategic sabbaticals are also driving ‘revenge travel’ where professionals take intentional breaks to focus on personal growth, often combining remote work with meaningful travel experiences. In these cases, destinations in Asia (like Japan, Thailand and Vietnam) are growing in popularity – particularly those that cater to remote workers – as people actively look for cultural and culinary experiences.
Are you planning your own revenge travel experience in 2025? Turner says the following experiences are proving popular for empty nesters and revenge travellers the world over:
- Private villa rentals in the Med, Maldives and Indian Ocean Islands
- All-inclusive resorts in Mauritius and Zanzibar
- All-inclusive cruises, including expedition cruises to off-the-beaten-path itineraries like Alaska, Antarctica and the Arctic
- Luxury river cruises in Europe, Asia and Africa
- Barging experiences in the UK and France
- Custom-designed African safaris
- Small guided tours and niche experiences
- Wellness journeys – for example, yoga retreats in Bali
“The most successful revenge trips are those that align with personal milestones or life transitions,” says Turner. “Whether it’s celebrating retirement with a world cruise or marking an empty nest with a trek to base camp, Everest, the key is choosing experiences that represent personal freedom and achievement. Revenge travel has become a powerful tool for personal transformation, family bonding and life celebration – a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.”
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$3.67 billion and a current share price of AU$16.52 as of 18 December 2024. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.
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Celine Patterson, Big Ambitions