Why Travel is So Important

Have you ever felt homesick for a place you’ve never been before? How about a longing for a different environment, or a deep desire to see more of the diversity of this world?

It doesn’t matter who I ask these questions. The answer, unequivocally and always, is yes. And the more you think about it, the more you realize that it couldn’t possibly be any other way. As humans, travel is in our very bones - we’ve been nomads for most of history, and that nature doesn’t go away just because we now live in cities and work in office buildings. We’re always, deep down, looking for the next adventure.

I’ve felt, from as far back as I can remember, that same deep desire to see more of the world (and the universe). It’s a special glow in my heart that I can’t really explain in words, yet I also know that every other human being on earth understands it, too. It’s a call that’s felt from deep within, like Moana standing at the shore of the water and wondering what could possibly be beyond it, feeling a deep urge to go out and see it for herself. This is why the idea of travel, of seeing new sights, meeting new people, trying new foods, partaking in new adventures, etc. appeals and unites people across the world.

How many hostels exist in Europe for the sole purpose of housing those who are looking to see more of the world? How many lodges, hotels, adventure parks, travel agencies? Why are there so many? Why are BBC’s nature documentaries some of the highest grossing films of all time? Why are the Irwins and the Wild Kratts so famous? Why do people go on yoga retreats to remote corners of the world, or spend a week of their lives traveling and relaxing on cruise ships? In fact, why are these activities, with their logistical planning, extensive commute, passport/documentation, packing, etc., so relaxing at all? Why go do all that work? Why? Why travel?

The answer lies in some of our deepest historical and biological roots, and while we may now live our lives in a different world, we still long for those nomadic roots that we once came from.