Everyone Followed This Travel Trend In The '90s. Now It's Making A Comeback

There are all sorts of travel trends out there, and some are better than others. Some people are raw-dogging flights (which is odd, but less wild than it sounds). Others are having their kids design their vacations, which could really go either way, depending on the kid. However, renewed interest in printed travel magazines and a return to brochures by some travel companies offer a refreshing throwback to a simpler, more analog time. In fact, using these printed resources might help you cut through all the noise out there on the internet and find exactly the sort of getaway that you're looking for. 

If you were around in the '90s, you may remember standing in a bookstore or at a newsstand, thumbing through travel magazines, looking for inspiration for your next trip. While you can book all your travel online or do research on an upcoming destination, you don't have to get your ideas from a social media influencer or a post you scrolled by that the algorithm decided you would like. Instead, a magazine allows you to sit down with no distractions and actually learn about the place you're interested in. You can take the time to imagine what it would be like to actually be there before the next cat video or angry rant makes you forget what you were doing in the first place.

The comeback of print magazines and the relaxing physicality of them may give readers a bit of peace instead of the constant switch between topics every few seconds. Additionally, an article published on Phys.org reports that reading on paper can improve comprehension compared with reading on a screen. You may come away with a better understanding of the place you want to visit. You might also have a better idea of what you want to see, rather than simply a list of places popular with social media influencers. You may even get a jumpstart on vacation relaxation during the planning stage. Stephen Casimiro, founder and publisher of Adventure Journal and former National Geographic Adventure editor, told The New York Times in 2024, "We're all exhausted from our screens. We want something to savor." The publication reports renewed interest in high-quality, independent outdoor magazines, with some finding financial success.

There are a number of ways you can get ideas from printed travel magazines and brochures. You can hit the bookstore and take a look through some of them. Bring a few home to explore and dream with before searching the web for reviews and flights. You might even consider visiting an actual travel agent to see which ones they have on hand. If you're already at a location, you should hit the city or town's welcome center to see which brochures they have (and perhaps even speak to an actual human who has personal recommendations). Whether you do it for the nostalgia or to take a break from your screen, this '90s trend is worth a try. Finally, here are five more growing travel trends to try for a unique getaway.