Finally, some news that will make you and your kid happy: traveling is good for you! We all knew that, but according to a study from The Voice of Student & Youth Travel, it makes kids smarter and more attractive to higher education recruiters.
The study, which surveyed nearly 1,500 teachers, shared that the majority opinion (74 percent of those asked) was that giving children the experience of traveling has “a very positive impact on students’ personal development.” Even further, 56 percent of educators surveyed went on to say that traveling could positively impact a student’s education and, ultimately, career.
An early-in-life vacation does more than just boost a child’s personal and educational development––it’s also good for the community. The study shares: “The benefits of travel go beyond education. Increasingly, government and businesses are recognizing the positive effects of youth travel as a powerful life experience that promotes economic development, job fulfillment and cultural understanding.”
The survey, which was conducted between August 2013 and November 2015, included educators representing more than 43,000 students in the United States between the ages of 10 and 18.
The study touches on all kinds of travel, from domestic teacher-lead outings to international family trips, but one thing was consistent: After going on one trip, kids wanted to travel even more after embarking on their first adventure––to put a number to it, 76 percent of educators stated that they saw this pattern.
All in all, this is something we sort of already knew, or at least liked to tell ourselves. Now you have scientific back-up the next time you’re planning a trip and wondering if your hard-earned savings were better off elsewhere.
The study shines a light on a massive amount of information, from the average cost per trip based on length to what time of year these trips are happening based on location. To see all of the data from the study, visit The Voice of Student & Youth Travel website.
