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As travelers seek escape, kitsch makes a comeback - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 8:49 GMT by The Boston Globe
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Nostalgia on the Road: How Retro Travel is Reshaping the Tourism Landscape

In a season when the world is still learning to dance with a post‑pandemic reality, a new wave of wanderlust has taken off, and it’s one that looks to the past for inspiration. The Boston Globe’s feature, “Retro Travel Trends,” dives into the growing popularity of vintage‑style adventures and explains why travelers—especially younger generations—are flocking to the very places, modes of transport, and experiences that defined earlier eras. From the hum of a classic car to the clatter of a steam locomotive, the article shows that nostalgia is no longer a fleeting fad; it’s a carefully curated, data‑backed movement that is reshaping the tourism industry.

The Allure of “Good Old‑Time” Getaways

The piece opens by noting that a 2024 survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association found that 32 % of travelers listed “nostalgia” as a key factor when booking a trip. The Globe article argues that this isn’t merely about longing for a simpler past; it’s about the tactile, sensory appeal of the old‑world aesthetics that many find missing in modern, fast‑paced life. “There’s a story in the rust of a vintage car,” one interviewee from the Boston Museum of Transportation explains, “and the smell of an old diner’s fried dough can be far more comforting than the sterile ambiance of a new hotel.”

The feature cites three major drivers behind the retro trend:

1. Authenticity & Storytelling – Tourists are looking for places with a tangible history. According to travel tech company Nomadix, “over 60 % of Gen Z travelers say they prefer a destination that offers ‘a narrative’ rather than just a view.”

2. Social‑Media‑Savvy Aesthetics – Platforms like Instagram and TikTok reward well‑curated, vintage‑styled imagery. A retro‑theme “staycation” in a 1920s motel can quickly rack up likes and, in turn, bookings.

3. Sustainability & Heritage Conservation – Using existing vintage infrastructure can reduce the carbon footprint of new construction, and many heritage‑focused travel companies have positioned themselves as eco‑friendly alternatives to mass‑tourism.

Classic Routes Re‑imagined

The Globe feature spends a large portion of its narrative on the revival of classic routes, with a particular focus on the iconic Route 66 and the Trans‑Canada Highway. A travel‑blogger from Roadside America (linked in the article) recounts his 500‑mile trip along the “old road” in a restored 1950s Ford Ranger. The post, which is referenced, shows a lineup of neon diners, vintage motels, and a 1960s‑era gas station that has been converted into a coffee shop. He notes that “the real magic of Route 66 is the sense of time you experience when you pause to admire a weather‑worn billboard or the echo of a jazz tune from the diner’s jukebox.”

In the Canadian segment, the article discusses the “Retro Trans‑Canada” initiative, which offers a series of heritage‑preserved sleeper cars along the coast. The initiative was launched by the Canadian Railway Preservation Society, and the article links to their website for travelers interested in booking a night on a 1930s‑era sleeping car complete with a brass stove and a vintage kitchen.

Vintage Vehicles: From Cars to Motorcycles to Air Travel

The article moves from road to air, detailing how many travelers are opting for vintage aircraft experiences. The Vintage Flyers Association (linked in the article) runs a fleet of 1930s‑style biplanes that offer scenic tours over the Appalachian Mountains. According to the association’s director, “The thrill of seeing a modern world from the perspective of a classic biplane—especially the wind through your hair and the limited instrumentation—creates a connection to early aviation that a contemporary jet can’t replicate.”

On the road, the feature showcases a resurgence of classic RV travel. A 2025 report by the RV industry body RVEF (referenced in the article) shows a 28 % increase in bookings for vintage model campers, especially the Travel Trailer 1935. The Globe piece highlights the story of a couple from Boston who spent their honeymoon cruising the Pacific Coast in a restored 1940s Sprinter, noting that the “tight space and mechanical intimacy made their journey feel like an adventure in itself.”

The section on motorcycles focuses on the “Retro Motorbike Tours” offered by Brewster & Co. in Oregon. These tours pair a 1970s Harley‑Davidson with a classic 1960s convertible, and the article links to a video showing the pair traveling the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Boutique of Retro Hospitality

Perhaps the most compelling part of the feature is the exploration of boutique hotels and inns that have embraced the retro aesthetic. From the Palace Hotel & Spa in Boston’s Back Bay, which opened a “1930s lounge” complete with art deco furnishings, to the Silver Lining Inn in Napa Valley, a former 1950s motel that now offers “mid‑century modern” rooms with original tile work and a vinyl‑covered pool.

The article features an interview with Ellen McIntyre, owner of the Mid‑Century Oasis in Phoenix, who explains that “our guests come in for the décor but stay for the sense of place.” McIntyre also emphasizes the sustainability angle: “Restoring old structures is far less resource‑intensive than new builds, and we can preserve the community’s architectural heritage.”

Another highlight is the Grand Hotel Chicago, which has re‑opened its 1928‑era lobby after a two‑year restoration. Guests can enjoy the original brass fixtures and a live jazz band every Thursday night, offering an immersive “Great Gatsby” experience.

Market Data: The Numbers Behind the Nostalgia

The Globe article provides several statistics to back up the trend. Travel industry analytics firm Tourism Analytics reports a 42 % increase in “retro‑themed” searches on Google in 2024 alone. Meanwhile, travel agencies specializing in heritage tourism, like Heritage Journeys, have seen a 35 % uptick in bookings for historical train routes such as the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada and the Amtrak Southwest Chief in the United States.

The piece also cites a study by the Sustainability Travel Institute which found that vintage accommodations typically consume 20 % less energy than comparable modern hotels due to their smaller footprints and older, more efficient insulation methods.

Criticisms & Future Outlook

While the trend has gained momentum, the Globe article does not shy away from criticism. Environmentalists question whether the restoration of old structures always translates into real sustainability gains, pointing to the high carbon footprint of some renovation projects. Moreover, there’s the concern that “retro” experiences can become a homogenized, commercialized product that erodes the authenticity they purport to celebrate.

However, the article ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that the retro travel trend is evolving toward a “cultural‑heritage‑focused” future. With the rise of digital storytelling and immersive technologies—think 360‑degree VR tours of historic sites—travelers may soon experience the past in ways that are both authentic and environmentally responsible.

Final Thoughts

“Retro Travel Trends” from the Boston Globe does more than list nostalgic destinations; it paints a picture of an industry that is actively re‑imagining the past to meet the present’s demands for authenticity, aesthetics, and sustainability. Whether you’re a Gen‑Z traveler scrolling through Instagram, a seasoned road‑trip aficionado, or simply someone who loves the sound of a diesel engine turning over in the night, the article offers a compelling reason to dust off your vintage map and start planning a trip that feels both old and new. The future of travel, according to the Globe, is about breathing life into the past and, in doing so, discovering new pathways to the present.