A growing travel trend known as "deadzoning" is seeing travellers intentionally disconnect from their phones and other digital devices while on vacation in an effort to reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing and reconnect with the world around them.
According to G Adventures, the trend is especially popular among Millennials and Gen Z travellers, who are choosing destinations with limited or no mobile service or deliberately switching off their devices to avoid social media, work notifications and other digital distractions.
The company says the trend reflects a growing desire to use travel as an opportunity for rest and mental reset rather than simply a getaway.
Research commissioned by G Adventures last fall found that 66% of travellers said relaxation and de-stressing were the main reasons they book a vacation. Nearly half (46%) said they travel to disconnect from the pressures of work and everyday life.
Among travellers aged 25 to 30, more than one-quarter said being able to switch off from their devices was what made them happiest during a previous trip.
To support travellers looking for a digital detox, G Adventures has identified five itineraries where limited connectivity encourages travellers to stay present and immerse themselves in their surroundings.
The suggested trips include:
- Local Living Ecuador Amazon Jungle, where travellers stay with an Indigenous community deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon with no Wi-Fi or mobile service.
- Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek, a hiking adventure through remote jungle landscapes and Indigenous communities with limited connectivity.
- Antarctica Classic, where internet access is available onboard but optional, allowing travellers to spend days offline while exploring the southern continent.
- Patagonia: Turquoise Lakes & Torres del Paine, a youth-focused hiking trip where mobile signal is limited across parts of the route.
- Namibia to Cape Town Overland Safari, an overland camping journey through Southern Africa that replaces screens with wildlife encounters, camping and cultural experiences.
Topics From This Article to Explore
