What's A 'Skillcation'? Here's Why This Type Of Travel Is Gaining Popularity.

Try doing this on your next vacation if you want a more enriching experience.

There are many central goals and themes that can drive people’s travel planning ― think “sleepcations” built around rest, “sports tourism” centered on big athletic events, “green travel” for sustainability-minded explorers and “gig tripping” for concert experiences.

But would you ever try a “skillcation?” This type of travel takes a different approach that’s all about personal growth and using your time away to develop expertise you might carry into your life back home.

Here’s what you should know about skillcations, from the benefits and downsides to the best way to pursue this type of travel.

What is a ‘skillcation’?

“Skillcations are vacations centered around learning, reflecting a revolution in soft and vocational skills development,” Ben Martin, an economics practice director and principal at the architecture and hospitality strategy firm HKS, told HuffPost in an email. “Travelers immerse themselves in experiences like ‘knitting your way around Iceland,’ combining leisure with hands-on learning. This trend satisfies a desire for personal growth and cultural engagement, making trips more enriching than traditional sightseeing.”