Changing the way we do holidays

Many aspects of our lives have changed since words like COVID, lockdowns, traffic lights, Omicron and Delta became part of our everyday language.

However, as we always have, we’ve evolved, adapted and met the challenges in that indomitable Kiwi way.

A recent survey clearly showed that even though travelling in the future will most likely involve more rules and restrictions than ever, more than 64% of us will take a holiday if we can afford to. But 79% of us preferred flexible holidays than those packed with pre-planned activity.

Loving local - here to stay

As a result of being confined to our homes and local neighbourhoods, we’ve learned to appreciate our local areas and businesses, and those caught overseas are heading back in their thousands to return to their New Zealand roots.

As a result, holidaying close to home is becoming increasingly popular.

Holidays seem more valued now as we have learned over prolonged lockdowns and the uncertainty of the

last couple of years, to value our mental health. And all the experts tell us holidays are good for our wellbeing.

More than half the staff in the Marram Office chose to holiday close to home this Christmas holiday season.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

Murray

I regularly choose to holiday close to home because there’s a selection of pet-friendly options and Baxter can come. We don’t have to spend hours in the car but it still feels like a holiday when we arrive. It’s cheaper. Fuel is getting very expensive now.

Friends and family can visit if you stay locally. No worries around any possible isolation issues when it’s just 20 minutes to get home. The only downside might be not being able to escape the relatives if you want to.

Murray

Baxter on Lyall Bay beach

Fiona

I stayed in the puppy-friendly Wellington South unit, about 68k’s from my Kapiti home. No-one likes spending hours in the car with a dog and child.

Even though we were close to home we still had that holiday feeling.

It’s a great location, completely different beach to the one at home and with an option to be in the city shopping in 10 minutes. The Lyall Bay home is actually in our old neighbourhood so we caught up with friends. COVID also featured in our plans. We didn’t want to have far to go to get home in the event we found ourselves having to isolate. We’d rather do that at home.

Fiona with daughter Orna and Mum Marge

Lesley

I went a bit further. Over the hill to the Greytown home. Still just over an hour in the car but to a completely different location. Quieter, peaceful and a lovely home. It still very much felt like a holiday and there were things to do I don’t do in Wellington. Visiting a local pottery and interesting shops and cafes. Oh, and much better weather.

Lesley and Charles Ngaki at Greytown