The Case for Slow Travel in a Fast-Scrolling World

Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon from Colton Point State Park

This weekend, I did something I almost never do as a business owner: I left the laptop at home and went completely off-grid. I didn't check my email or socials for 3 days. I used my senses: beautiful mountain views, the smell of a crackling fire, and the gentle sound of a creek trickling past our campsite.

My husband, our dogs, and I visited the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, enjoyed lunch in the charming town of Wellsboro, and picked up late-season peaches at a farm stand tucked along a winding mountain road. The leaves were just starting to turn, and we took the long way just to enjoy the scenery (and maybe find a bear, which we did not.)

What surprised me most wasn’t just the beauty of the mountains, but the shift in my own mental state. Without the option to check in, the constant mental loop of business decisions finally quieted. I allowed myself to be fully present, and I found a clarity that I don't experience at home.

As someone who works in heritage tourism marketing, I spend a lot of time thinking about digital presence — websites, SEO, social media, and all the tools that help organizations get found. But this weekend reminded me that sometimes, what visitors crave most isn’t connection, but disconnection.

We’re seeing a growing trend in tourism where people aren’t just looking to see a place — they want to experience it. They want to slow down and immerse themselves in a location’s culture, history, and natural rhythms. They want to spontaneously pull off the road for an ice cream cone or a hiking trail. All communities — especially those tied to heritage, trails, or scenic byways — can intentionally create opportunities for restorative travel.

What does that look like?

• Designing itineraries that highlight quiet places and hidden gems.

• Encouraging screen-free experiences like self-guided tours, storytelling benches, and art installations.

• Promoting local businesses that allow for lingering conversations and community connection.

• Supporting wayfinding and interpretation that doesn’t require an app.

Disconnection doesn’t lead to disengagement. In fact, it can foster deeper, more memorable visitor experiences.

So yes, digital strategy matters. But let’s also consider how we can market the feeling of a place, not just the facts about it. Let’s give people not only something to do, but also a place to just be.