Why is sober travel becoming so popular?

It may be a reversal of the habits created during the pandemic, when alcohol consumption increased dramatically. Some give credit to Gen Z, who are more likely than older generations to drink rarely or avoid alcohol altogether.¹ Or maybe it’s a reflection of a growing interest in health and wellness travel.

Whatever the reason, people are planning more trips that don’t include drinking. Expedia reports that “more than 40% of respondents said they’re likely to book a detox trip in the next year; half of travelers would be interested in staying at a hotel that offers easily accessible alcohol-free options such as mocktails.”²

Why try sober travel?

You don’t have to be in recovery—or even be a committed non-drinker— to enjoy a sober vacation. A few reasons to consider making your next trip alcohol-free:

You’ll feel relaxed and refreshed after your trip. If you ever happen to visit the New Orleans airport the morning after Mardi Gras festivities, you’ll see quite a few bleary, queasy travelers who are not happy about returning to work the next day. With a sober trip, you have no such regrets.

Your experience won’t be ruined by hard partiers. The only people who like loud, drunk, obnoxious tourists are loud, drunk, obnoxious tourists. Sober travel gives you the opportunity to make meaningful connections with other travelers and avoid being woken up at 2 a.m. by the party next door.

You’re less likely to be targeted. Criminals and scammers often prey upon tourists who drink alcohol, because their judgment is impaired and they’re less aware of their surroundings. In some countries, there’s a growing trend of drugging tourists’ drinks with scopolamine, a memory-blocking substance that leaves victims unconscious and helpless.³ (Read more: When You’re the Victim of a Crime, What Does Travel Insurance Cover?)

You’ll be safer. Jumping off cliffs. Scuffling with a flight attendant. Driving while impaired. Alcohol often causes travelers to make bad decisions, injuring themselves or others in the process. You should know that your travel insurance plan excludes any losses caused by the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or any related physical symptoms.

Travel may be cheaper. It’s simple: Skip the spirits and save money! Use your savings to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime meals and experiences instead.

Sober vacation destinations

Another advantage of sober travel: It opens up a world of destinations that you might never visit on an alcohol-centered trip. These include countries where people don’t drink because of religious or cultural reasons, as well as those where drinking just isn’t an everyday thing.

• Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, with 6,000 inhabited islands. Yet all the tourists seem to go to one island: Bali, where partying is a way of life. Drinking (especially spirits) is frowned upon elsewhere. Explore the beaches of Lombok, the jungles of Borneo, and Komodo National Park, home to the famous dragons.

• Malaysia, like Indonesia, is a majority-Muslim nation where alcohol is heavily taxed and restricted. It’s not a big destination for U.S. tourists, but Malaysia offers incredible experiences. Visit the world’s oldest forest in Taman Negara National Park. Sample street food in Kuala Lumpur. Scuba dive off Sipadan Island.

• Nepal is a welcoming sober travel destination. While alcohol is legal, most Nepalis do not drink. You’ll enjoy a warm and hospitable culture and the incredible natural beauty of the Himalayas.

• Jordan offers Roman ruins, stunning desert landscapes, Dead Sea spas and the ancient city of Petra. Alcohol is legal, but only larger urban restaurants and hotels serve it.⁴

•  Sri Lanka is a tropical island off the southeastern coast of India known for its temples, beaches, and lush green highlands. Who needs a cocktail when you can drink the world’s best tea?

What if you really want to visit a place where drinking is common, but you don’t want to be tempted? Sober travel companies offer group resort vacations and tours, often with 12-step meetings included. Sober Vacations International organizes yearly Sober Villages, when the company fully buys out a Caribbean resort, removes all the alcohol, and hosts activities and events for as many as 600 non-drinking guests.⁵

Another option for an alcohol-free getaway: a stay at a wellness resort. Many of these places, both overseas and in the U.S., serve only healthful food (which may be vegan or vegetarian) and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sober travel-friendly airlines, cruise lines and hotels

The dry-tripping trend is inspiring big travel brands to rethink their offerings. Just because someone doesn’t drink alcohol, that doesn’t mean they only want water! Sober travelers enjoy delicious drinks too.

JetBlue serves a nonalcoholic beer (Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale) as well as a mocktail for Mint business-class passengers called the Mint (Under One) Condition: seltzer, ginger, lime, cucumber, and mint. Cathay Pacific’s signature drink is the Cathay Delight, with kiwi, coconut milk and fresh mint. And Japan Airlines serves Queen of Blue’s Royal Blue Tea in first class, a rare and expensive tea.

Cruise lines are also expanding their alcohol-free options. Virgin Voyages serves complex mocktails developed by professional bartender Julia Momosé, as well as fancy teas at the Afternoon High Tea Service. Celebrity Cruises offers a zero-proof drinks package with no-alcohol cocktails, fresh juices, frozen smoothies, and specialty coffees and teas. “On many Royal Caribbean International ships,” Travel + Leisure reports, “it’s possible to request booze-free alternatives from the Bionic Bar, the robot that shakes up umbrella drinks.”⁶

Tempo by Hilton has a dual cocktail program: “Spirited” selections contain alcohol, while “Free-Spirited” versions taste and look a lot like classic cocktails without the ABV. The Deer Path Inn In Chicago goes a step further. Its “Mocktail Mixology” package includes an in-suite DIY mocktail kit with recipes, “plus a private mocktail mixology lesson with our Chief Spirits Officer.”⁷ Ette, a boutique hotel in Orlando, is 100% alcohol-free, serving only “sophisticated, seasonal and euphoric mocktails.” However, there’s also a “Secret Bring Your Own” Code, which means guests who drink are welcome to provide their own alcohol.

Wherever your sober travels take you, you can count on Allianz Travel Insurance. Discover why more than 70 million American travelers each year trust us to protect them: Get a quote today!

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