Traveling as a sober person may be quite difficult at times. No matter how good you’re feeling about your sobriety or how long it has been because you last drank alcohol, it may possibly still feel like you might be missing out. After all, traveling is about having as many recent experiences as possible, and plenty of of those experiences appear to involve drinking alcohol. When you might be around other individuals who appear to be having fun with themselves much more due to their intoxication, it may possibly feel quite awkward to say no to participate.
Thankfully, travel and hospitality providers finally appear to be getting serious about offering satisfying non-alcoholic alternatives which are on a par with their alcoholic counterparts. Instead of getting to order a non-alcoholic drink (whatever you wish) that's more likely to just be cocktail mixers or syrup and ice, sober and sober-minded travelers are beginning to get more gourmet options in terms of their beverages. In fact, I've noticed that mocktails are starting to seem quite naturally on menus alongside cocktails lately.
We reportedly have the younger generation to thank for this, with Gen Z travelers increasingly embracing the sober or sober-curious movement when on vacation. Alternatively, the increased acceptance of an alcohol-free lifestyle might be as a consequence of the ever-increasing demand for wellness services and a post-COVID self-care mentality. Whatever the rationale, it's truthfully a relief to give you the option to take a seat down at a bar along with your companions and find something to sip on that doesn't just make you’re feeling ignored.
The difference today, because the Washington Post put it, is that abstinence is widespread in society – without the query “why?” In its annual trends report, Expedia found that greater than 1 / 4 of college-age Americans don't drink alcohol, while their parents are also drastically cutting back on their consumption. The OTA coined the term “dry-tripping” for the best way this trend has spilled over into the tourism sector.
So kudos to the travel and hospitality firms which have recognized the demand and brought steps to normalize the serving of non-alcoholic beer, wine and mixed drinks in bars and restaurants.
Ana Esteves, vp of hotel operations for Lindblad Expeditions, told Travel + Leisure, “The demand for non-alcoholic beverages has increased significantly in recent years,” adding that the cruise line spends as much time developing delicious mocktail recipes because it does making traditional cocktails. Celebrity Cruises, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises and others also carry non-alcoholic spirits and serve a wide range of non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Back on land, hoteliers are also responding to the decision for non-alcoholic beverages. At the tip of 2021, Hyatt introduced its “Zero Proof, Zero Judgment” program at select Andaz and Thompson hotels within the US. Hilton is embracing the “dry-tripping” trend at its recent Tempo by Hilton hotels, where the bar menu offers each “spirited” and “free-spirited” cocktails.
Even airlines are jumping on the alcohol-free bandwagon. Last spring, JetBlue became the primary U.S. airline to supply non-alcoholic beer on board, and in addition offered a non-alcoholic version of the favored Mint Condition cocktail in business class. Alaska Airlines followed late last yr with its own non-alcoholic beer, which is free in premium cabins but can be purchased by passengers in economy class.
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