As the experience economy matures, it evolves into authenticity because consumers search for real experiences rather than ‘products’ which are manufactured. There is a growing desire to find experiences and products that are original and real, not contaminated by being fake or impure. Dr Ian Yeoman, travel futurologist explains how this trend away from impurity, the virtual, the spun, manufactured and the mass-produced in a world seemingly full of falseness is evolving.
Michael Wilmott in his book, Complicated Lives has identified the complexity of consumerism, with consumers seeking new meaning, consistent with Maslow’s self-actualisation concept. Initially, people are concerned about wider issues such as the environment, animal rights or Third World hunger. The movement to self-actualisation is a search for a deeper meaning and finding a sense of worth beyond material possessions. It is a fulfilment of self which moves beyond goods and services and on to experiences. At one level it results in increased spending on holidays, eating out, the theatre and so on. But it also includes special experiences such as white-water rafting or spending a weekend at a health spa.
The desire for new experiences which are truly authentic and meaningful has resulted in more people, for example taking a career break to travel through Africa or to undertake a similar adventure; it has become a mainstream activity. Career breaks are gap years for adults, a chance to take life by the scruff of the neck and give it a shake, to take a pause for breath, to grab an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream. Whether they are young professionals or baby-boomers in their fifties, more and more people are taking time out to travel the world in an authentic way. Actor Ewan McGregor stepped off the Hollywood set to embark on a 20,000-mile tour around the world on a motorcycle. According to Mintel, the age groups that are more likely to undertake this kind of adventure are 25–34 year olds and 35–44 year olds, influenced largely by affluence and a desire for something more ambitious. Today, career breaks or sabbaticals are seen as respectable. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey of employment trends showed that a quarter of firms offered their employees the opportunity to take a career break and over a third of Britain’s high earners had considered or were actually taking a career break (amongst those under 34,the percentage was nearly half).
Today, people no longer live to work, but rather work to live. Many adventure travel operators such as www.trailfinders.com or www.exploreworldwide.com offer trips of up to 28 weeks exploring continents, although these holidays can be broken down into shorter periods. People can spend months travelling through Africa or opt for just 3 weeks in one particular country. Another way to have a meaningful experience is to take part in a volunteering holiday and this sector has had a significant growth in the past few years. A number of organisations such as www.changingworlds.co.uk offer placements for 3 to 6 months, working in schools, orphanages or charities in countries such as Chile, India and Tanzania. Other organisations such as www.conservationafrica.net arrange for people to become involved in a wide range of conservation and research projects on game reserves in Southern Africa.