Second city travelling
By: Jasper Hotels International
Tags: Travel, Hotel, Hospitality, Overtourism, Tourism

“Second City Travel” is the biggest trend in the 2020 travel industry. There are a number of valid reasons why we should join the campaign and why the world needs it. Read on to learn how to engage and take advantage of your second city journey.

Over tourism was a biggest challenge by the end of the last decade. Managing tourist flow seems to be an impossible and unwelcome challenge. But there have been cities that have taken drastic steps in order to reduce the impacts of overtourism, including the implementation of new or updated budgetary structures, penalties linked to local new legislation and promotions.

Travel companies would like to help travellers to find a second city destination that will allow explorers to experience lesser-known destinations to help the climate.

According to a report from Booking.com, over half (54%) of global travellers want to play a part in reducing the ‘over-tourism’ phenomenon and 51 per cent of travellers would swap their original destination for a similar alternative if it meant making less of an environmental impact.

Of the various phenomena, ‘second city travelling’ are highly discussed. It is considered to be the biggest trend for 2020, as it is one of the solutions to ‘over-tourism.’

In addition to helping combat overtourism, it also provides travellers with new and exciting destinations that have historically been underrated and underappreciated. We need second city travels so that we can safeguard the most famous hotspots in the world for years to come. But as the cherry is on top, this trend helps us all to experience more rich and more unique journeys.

“We have seen a lot of interest in second cities, reflected by the number of low-cost airlines continually adding new routes to smaller destinations,” Jack Sheldon, founder of flight deals site Jack’s Flight Club, tells the Standard.

He adds: “Our member’s feedback is that they sometimes appreciate the chance to try out a more traditional and unique experience of the country they are visiting which is sometimes best found outside the most famous cities.”

There are some slight inconveniences on the second city ride. Transportation to the second city is always slower and more costly than hitting and remaining in a major centre. You might also have to travel over the main city to get to the second city. At this point the carbon emissions are not really lowered by the more evident option. This extra flight or bus ride would also increase your travel costs. However, the money you save on food and lodging in the second city is likely to compensate for the higher travel costs.

The added cost of travel may not be so daunting as the increased time of travel, if you are on a tight schedule. In the second city, there are potentially fewer hotel choices and other tourist facilities. You may not be happy with the subway / subway system or even with a walk-in city centre, so you may have to rely on local buses or taxis to get around.

Finally, you might need to take more initiative to look for “things to do” if the “must see” attractions are not obvious. Not all the answers will be in a guidebook. You may have to walk around or speak to strangers, which some people find awkward.