G Adventures: “Deadzoning” trend sees more travellers unplugging on vacation

A growing travel trend dubbed "deadzoning" is encouraging travellers to disconnect from their devices while on holiday in an effort to improve mental wellbeing, reduce stress and reconnect with the world around them, according to G Adventures.

The small-group adventure operator says the trend, which is particularly popular among Millennials and Gen Z travellers, involves limiting access to phones, social media and work notifications by either choosing destinations with little or no connectivity or intentionally switching devices off altogether.

The company says the movement reflects a broader shift in why people travel.

Research conducted by G last fall found that 66 per cent of travellers cited relaxing and de-stressing as a key reason for booking a holiday, while 46 per cent said they wanted to disconnect from the pressures of work and everyday life.

Mental reset

The desire to unplug appears even stronger among younger travellers. 

More than one-quarter of travellers aged 25 to 30 said the ability to switch off from their devices was what made them happiest on a past trip.

According to G Adventures, the findings suggest travel is increasingly being viewed as a tool for mental reset rather than simply an escape.

The company also points to experts who say intentional disconnection can help reduce burnout, improve mood and strengthen real-world relationships.

Five itineraries for digital detoxing

G Adventures has highlighted five itineraries designed to make digital detoxing easier by taking travellers to remote destinations where connectivity is limited and immersion takes centre stage.

Among the featured trips is the Local Living Ecuador Amazon Jungle itinerary, where travellers stay with an Indigenous community deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon with no Wi-Fi or mobile service.

Instead, the experience focuses on learning how the community lives in harmony with Pachamama, discovering medicinal plants and reconnecting with nature.

For more active travellers, the Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek offers a jungle hike through remote landscapes and Indigenous hilltribe communities, replacing social media feeds with cultural experiences and time outdoors.

G Adventures also recommends its Antarctica Classic voyage, where Wi-Fi is available onboard but not included in the fare, allowing guests who choose not to purchase it to remain offline while crossing the Southern Ocean and exploring Antarctica's landscapes and wildlife.

The company's Patagonia: Turquoise Lakes & Torres del Paine itinerary targets younger travellers looking to escape digital distractions.

With little to no cell signal along parts of the trek, the journey encourages hikers to immerse themselves in Patagonia's glacier-fed lakes, mountain scenery and trails.

Rounding out the list is the Namibia to Cape Town Overland Safari, which takes travellers across Southern Africa aboard one of G Adventures' overland vehicles.

The itinerary features wildlife viewing, camping under the stars and visits with local communities, offering what the company describes as a complete break from the routines and notifications of everyday life.

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