In the past, many families saved up for a single long summer holiday, but today a large number of people prefer several short trips abroad throughout the year. This trend is mainly driven by cheaper travel and changing work patterns, and while it has personal benefits, I consider it a largely negative development because of its environmental cost.
There are several reasons for this change. Budget airlines and online booking platforms have made it possible to fly to another country for a weekend at a relatively low price, sometimes for less than a long train journey at home. At the same time, many employees find it difficult to take two or three weeks off work at once, either because of heavy workloads or because they worry about falling behind. A long weekend in a nearby capital is easier to fit around these pressures. Social media also plays a part, as people are encouraged to collect new destinations rather than spend a long time in one place.
From an individual point of view, frequent short breaks can be refreshing. Regular time away from work may reduce stress more effectively than one holiday a year, and travellers get to experience a variety of cultures. However, the wider consequences are more troubling. Each short trip usually involves two flights, so a person who takes four city breaks a year may produce far more emissions than someone who takes one longer holiday. Popular cities also suffer, as a constant stream of weekend visitors adds to overcrowding and pushes up rents for local residents.
In conclusion, short trips abroad have become popular because they are cheap and convenient for busy workers. Although they offer real benefits for well-being, their impact on the climate and on crowded destinations makes this a mostly negative trend, unless travellers choose rail journeys or fewer, longer stays.