Slow Tourism: A new way to travel?

Slow tourism is the antithesis of mass tourism. It is an alternative way to travel that is part of a more sustainable and viable approach to tourism. While not strictly ecotourism, slow tourism is closely related, introducing a new way of thinking about travel. Let yourself be surprised by this new, still little-known way of traveling.

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What is slow tourism?

Slow tourism, as the name suggests, is about taking your time when you travel. People who choose this type of travel place serenity, letting go, well-being, patience, sharing, meeting new people, and health at the heart of their stay. During a slow tourism trip, travelers give themselves a real break from their daily routine to take the time to discover the local, historical, cultural, and/or gastronomic heritage of their destination.

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Taking the time to travel…

The goal is to disconnect from your daily life to reconnect with the environment surrounding you during your stay. It is about rediscovering a region by prioritizing sharing and local encounters to reveal its hidden treasures. Travelers want to soak up the local atmosphere by deepening their knowledge of the place and engaging with its cultural nuances.

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On such a trip, travelers don't race to pack in as many activities as possible; it’s not about accumulating experiences without truly taking the time to live them because of an overly busy schedule. On the contrary, slow tourism favors meaningful, local experiences without worrying about the clock.

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While respecting the environment

Slow tourism also has an environmental focus. It aligns with ecotourism in this regard by encouraging travelers to reduce the environmental impact of their stays, particularly through the modes of transport they use. The idea is to prioritize getting around on foot, by bike, by boat, or by train. In general, respect for the environment, heritage, biodiversity, and local residents is a core value of slow tourism.

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Types of slow tourism trips

Contrary to what one might think, slow tourism is not actually a new concept. In fact, pilgrimages are similar to this type of tourism. The concept of traveling slowly to reconnect with oneself and one's environment has existed for hundreds of years. The only difference is that slow tourism has only recently been conceptualized and named.

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In a more modern sense, one of the most common types of slow tourism is bike travel or cycle tourism. This involves traveling by bike between different destinations or visiting a destination by bike. France enjoys a vast network of cycle routes and paths designed to allow everyone to enjoy this practice.

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Slow tourism doesn't just happen on land; a trip on the water can also be a slow tourism experience. This is river tourism. A trip aboard a houseboat allows you to discover canals and regions near the water from a new perspective. These are perfect places to take the time to reconnect with the surrounding nature.

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Welkeys' actions in favor of slow tourism

Although there are currently very few complete slow tourism travel packages, it is still possible for players in the tourism industry to take action in favor of slow tourism. At Welkeys, a vacation rental management agency, we are committed to implementing various services and working in a way that prioritizes local stakeholders.

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Thanks to our network of local partners, we are as close as possible to our property owners and travelers. This allows us to promote short supply chains and offer a warm, personalized welcome—two concepts at the heart of slow tourism. Our partners and their concierges take the time to meet and chat with our guests to help them immerse themselves in the local culture.

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We also offer a range of services for travelers depending on their destination. This allows us to highlight local businesses and services that encourage travelers to take the time to enjoy local activities.

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Finally, to encourage and raise awareness among travelers to consume better while on vacation, we have implemented a list of eco-friendly practices in our properties.