Go RVing’s Trends To Know: Quietcation

📊 Trends and insights: Go RVing is committed to keeping you up-to-date on trends and insights that impact the RV industry.

• One trend to watch is quietcations.

🤔 What are quietcations? According to the BBC and Hilton 2026 Travel Trends Reports, “quietcations,” also called hushpitality, is a movement centered on comfort, silence, and finding a way to escape the compounding stress of modern life.

• “With our always-on digital culture colliding with an endless rollcall of global events reaching us in real time, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking to disconnect,” reports the BBC.

🔢 Numbers to know: The current trend of seeking a quiet, peaceful vacation is supported by data.

• 57% of U.S. travelers say they’d be interested in a quiet/silent retreat, and 53% specifically are interested in a reading retreat.
• Interest is also high for retreats that prioritize stillness and nature: 67% nature immersion, 60% spiritual retreats, 56% meditation/silent retreats.
• 26% of travelers plan to travel alone in 2026, and 48% say they’ll add solo days before or after a family trip.

🤫 The bottom line: In 2026, quiet travelers are looking for:

• Space and low-density surroundings: Not crowds. Not high-rises. Not the feeling that you’re sharing every moment with 400 other guests.
   
• Nature that does the heavy lifting: Places where the environment naturally softens your nervous system: sea horizon, steady breezes, stars at night.
   
• Choice without decision fatigue: A stay that feels easy. You can do activities, but you don’t have to be “on” all day.
   
• Simple pleasures that feel almost radical now: A long swim. A quiet breakfast. A book you actually finish. An early night.

🚌 This is where RVing comes in. RVs’ versatility makes them uniquely suited to quietcations. RV travelers are able to prioritize peace and quiet on their trips by:

• Going offline: While many RVs have Wi-Fi, the lifestyle makes it easier to unplug, and going "off-grid" provides a legitimate excuse to turn off notifications.
• Traveling slowly by design: Quietcations are about the quality of the moment, not the quantity of the sights. And, once RVers have parked, the "commute" to nature is just beyond the RV door.
• Controlling the environment: On a quietcation, environmental control is key to maintaining a "flow state" of relaxation. RVers can bring their own comforts from home. There is no stress from "acclimation" to a new room, which helps the mind settle faster.
• Accessing "deep quiet" locations: Unlike hotels, which are anchored to developed (and often loud) areas, an RV allows you to stay in:
  • National Forests and Bureau of Land Management Land: Boondocking allows you to park far from other travelers, where the only sounds are wind, water, and wildlife.
  • Dark Sky Parks: Many RV-friendly spots are in certified Dark Sky areas, which naturally enforce a "quiet culture" to preserve the nocturnal environment.

🎤 Our thought bubble: The RV industry can market to those seeking quietcations with:

• Acoustic insulation: Marketing advanced sound-dampening materials as a premium feature to create a true sanctuary.
• Highlight solar power: Prioritizing high-capacity lithium batteries and solar arrays to eliminate the need for noisy generators, allowing for a "silent stay" even when off-grid.
• Emphasize marketing to Millennials & Gen X: Data shows these generations are leading the quietcation movement to escape "decision fatigue." Campaigns should highlight the simplicity of staying in one place for days to enjoy the simplicity of nature.

🌳 One last thought: RV travel allows consumers to enjoy their quietcation from the moment they embark to returning home. Instead of delayed airports or crowded hotels, travelers enjoy their familiar comforts while taking in America’s iconic scenery throughout the journey.