Would You Learn Something on Vacation? Meet the Skillcation

Would you learn something during your stay?

For some travelers, a vacation is also an opportunity to come home with something new, whether it is a skill, a hobby, a creative spark, or simply a fresh perspective.

Enter the Skillcation, a blend of skill and vacation. It is a trip built around learning or improving a skill, from cooking and pottery to photography, sailing, wellness practices or traditional crafts. Unlike conventional sightseeing, it encourages travelers to actively participate in the destination and its culture.

In this sense, the emerging skillcation can be summed up as: Place + experience + learning + personal transformation.

This trend is now becoming visible in the hospitality industry. According to an article published by InterContinental in 2026, IHG Hotels & Resorts in collaboration with Talker Research, surveyed 1,000 Americans and found that 47% were interested in taking a skillcation, while 68% believed such an experience could be life-changing.

But the appeal of skillcations may go beyond learning a new skill. The concept naturally sits at the intersection of several broader shifts in travel and consumer behavior.

• Experiential travel: A cooking class, craft workshop or local outdoor activity turns a destination from a backdrop into an experience.

• Wellness travel: The goal of a trip can extend beyond relaxation. Learning a new practice or spending time on a meaningful activity can leave travelers feeling that they have returned better than when they left.

• Digital detox: A hands-on activity offers a natural reason to put the phone away and be present. Skillcations can create moments of concentration and connection that are difficult to find in everyday digital life.

• Authentic and local travel: Learning directly from local people can offer a deeper connection to a destination. Instead of simply consuming local culture, travelers can participate in it, whether that means making regional food, learning a traditional craft or understanding a local practice.

• Personal development: A skill learned abroad can become a hobby, a habit or even a new interest that continues long after the trip.

The experience economy: As consumers place greater value on experiences over possessions, a skillcation offers both a memory and a capability. Travelers are paying for something they can take away with them.

Perhaps the most compelling promise of a skillcation is that you return from a trip with both lasting memories and something new to carry forward.