It’s no secret that COVID has changed our world in many ways. One area that the effects of COVID can be observed in is the travel sector. Many people are choosing not to fly, due to close contact with other people on planes, and large groups of people in more confined areas at terminals. Other countries are even putting temporary lockdowns into place to restrict flying entirely.
However, educational travel is still finding ways to survive. In fact,there are signs that the industry is on a steady recovery.
A benchmark survey yielded promising insights into the size and structure of the global student group travel segment. In the survey, half of the responding student tour operators reported increased demand in 2019, which was cut short by COVID. This strong demand suggests that, once coronavirus diminishes, the educational travel industry will be just as strong, if not stronger, than before.
Furthermore, trends are showing that more students are choosing to continue their education in-person; a recent report from Chicago Public Schools indicated that 37% of eligible Pre-K through eighth grade students are heading back into the classrooms. Boston Public Schools also reports that 44% of parents have chosen to let their students return to the classroom.
An increase in in-person schooling means more opportunities for educational travel.
There are many reasons people want to continue educational travel, even during COVID. It offers countless benefits to students and can be done safely during the pandemic. Below are a few reasons to consider educational travel:
Networking
Traveling with a student travel agency helps provide students with a global network of contacts and references, which can help with future employment and other opportunities. For some students, it can be their introduction to how to network once they move on to higher education later in life.
Better Grades
Educational travel is more than just a fun opportunity to see the world. It’s also been shown to increase academic knowledge and help students perform better in school. Educational travel is also looked at favorably among college admission officers, who are seeking well-rounded students with diverse academic experiences.
Perspective
Immersing students in the culture of another area can help them gain new knowledge and perspective. This helps create more understanding, compassionate individuals with a deeper knowledge of the world. Furthermore, it can be the deciding factor in career choices for some students, who may be inspired to go into certain lines of work after their travels.
Personal Growth and Independence
Being away from the comfort of home encourages students to see what they can accomplish on their own. Travel allows them to step outside their comfort zone in ways they wouldn’t with their usual networks and support systems back home.
Friendship
Educational travel opens up a world of possibilities for new friendships. It allows students to socialize with other students from different backgrounds, find common ground, and learn how to relate to others. It also offers a chance at forming meaningful, lifelong friendships.
With a client retention rate of 95%, and an A+ ranking from the Better Business Bureau, Son Tours, Inc. is passionate about providing safe, immersive, once-in-a-lifetime educational travel experiences through customizable student tours. Get in touch with us today, and we can help you plan the perfect tour for you and your student group.
