Now, Cornwall Joins With Algarve, Provence, Lanzarote, Oslo, Kyoto, Bora Bora, Tuscany, Marrakech, Tasmania, Vancouver Island, Bali, and Other Top Slow Travel Destinations Redefining Global Tourism in 2025

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Cornwall named best place for slow travel in the world in 2025Good news for the UK (and the planet) – With the world embracing the joy of travelling a bit slower and more consciously, the Slow Travel Index from Sainsbury’s Bank, which looks at original criteria to find the very best slow travel destinations, names Cornwall for its individual appeal, over more established Mediterranean hotspots like Lanzarote, the Algarve and Provence. As travellers increasingly seek sustainable, more enlightened and restorative trip experiences, it stands to reason that slow tourism is gaining traction in not only these gorgeous sojourns, but all corners of the globe.

Compiled in-depth research of 30 favoured holiday hotspots in order for the Slow Travel Index to assess: access to nature; places to stay; eating locaclly; opportunities to relax. What is slow about slow travel, as distinct from travel about connecting and engaging in culture and place in a deeper, more relaxed way than it does in standard mass tourism? The list — which ranges from South Africa’s Western Cape, where tourists are encouraged to drive the Eastern Cape’s “slow route,” to Mexico’s endorheic lake region and islands — was inspired by new research from the Sainsbury’s Bank Slow Travel Index, which identifies 12 destinations that are places where visitors can slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture.

The 12 Best Slow Travel Destinations in 2025

Cornwall, UK

The Algarve, Portugal

Provence, France

Lanzarote, Spain

Oslo, Norway

Kyoto, Japan

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Tuscany, Italy

Marrakech, Morocco

Tasmania, Australia

Vancouver Island, Canada

Bali, Indonesia

With the first stop, Cornwall, number one on the list, the remaining slow travel hotspots align beautifully in giving a unique slow travel setting each. The Algarve beckons with sun and adventure on Portugal’s coastline, Provence seduces with charm at the French vineyards and Lanzarote tempts with the perfect volcanic span in Spain. Stylish Oslo of Norway, which pairs city culture with close proximity to calm natural surroundings, never goes out of fashion, and Japan’s Kyoto surely never will either as a cultural destination. In the Pacific, Bora Bora is the pinnacle of peace and quiet, and Italy’s Tuscany captivates visitors with wineries sprinkled across rolling hills and medieval towns. Marrakech offers an exotic shopping and sensory experience of its throbbing souks, while Tasmania, with its wilderness offering solitude and contact with nature. Vancouver Island intermingles wilderness with lively local culture, while Bali is a sanctuary for the mindful and the relaxed.

Effects on global tourism industry

Slow travel’s impact on the world tourism industry is huge. Mass tourism is being replaced with more respectiful discoveries, as increasingly travellers seek regenerating experiences. Slow travel enquiries are up by 5.4% YoY according to UK and Portuguese government data, indicating a change in consumer habits. This growing demand towards meaningful travel experiences is changing tourism trends and forcing destinations to follow suit.

As slow travel becomes the hottest trend under sustainable travel, governments all over the world are finally seeing the value in the movement. For example, the acknowledgment of Cornwall as the country’s leading destination fits into the UK’s wider drive towards eco-tourism and sustaining local economies. It has helped draw attention to rural areas and supported local and regional business, from small inns and guesthouses to farmers’ markets, according to the U.K. government’s tourism board.

In Portugal, the authorities have been working on the promotion of rural tourism as their solution for slow tourism. Known for its stunning beaches, challenging golf courses and quaint towns, The Algarve is now drawing attention as a place where visitors can slow down, spend real time in nature and connect with local communities. The emergence of slow travel in places like the Algarve and Provence are teaching us to travel more sustainably, spending more time in one place and exploring off the beaten track.

Furthermore, if these regions are successful on the Slow Travel Index, others will most likely be encouraged to act. I’d expect government tourism bodies in particular to begin to invest more heavily in infrastructure and services for slow travelers, such as smaller, more eco-friendly hotels, guided nature hikes and cooking studios offering local heritage appreciation. Such efforts could minimize the impact of tourism on the environment, while affording local communities benefits from tourism.

A Focus on Wellness and Traveling With Intention

Eloise Skinner, ‘a wellness coach’ says that slow travel is not merely traveling slowly but a change in mindset. Spending a longer time in one place enables travelers to have time to soak in the culture, the food, and the outdoors of their immediate surroundings, leading to a more intimate relationship with where we wake up in the morning. This style of travel promotes mindfulness, stress reduction and more fully-rounded experiences. The wellness tourism market has grown significantly, with travellers looking not only for physical rest but emotional rejuvenation through their journeys.

Research from wellness tourism companies and government reports highlight the health benefits of slow travel – improved sleep quality, decreased anxiety, better well-being. Where there are vineyards, olive groves, and unspoiled country, as is the case in regions like Provence and Tuscany, it is the soothing embrace of nature that defines the slow travel experience.

Supporting Local Economies

Slow travel also boosts local economies, as tourists are encouraged to visit rural, non-touristy areas. Local reports on the effect in Cornwall, where they have been overrun by visitors, the numbers choosing to stay longer and spend money on local shops, markets and accommodation have also been flagged up in government reports. The history of Cornwall and it beautiful coastline provide a wealth of exploration opportunities from famous cliffs to secret beaches and long lost castles. Cornwall’s adoption of slow tourism is actually helping stimulate the economy with small towns and villages benefiting hugely which are untouched by mainstream mass tourism.

This is also happening elsewhere – from Lanzarote to Provence. In these regions, small businesses are popping up to serve mindful travelers looking for an authentic experience, whether it’s a visit to a food artisan or a stay in an eco-friendly hotel. These governments are partnering up with local businesses to help ensure that tourism growth is managed, and that it makes a positive impact on the local community, as is happening around the world with the trend toward responsible travel.

The Future of Slow Travel

As we progress through 2025 and onwards the slow travel movement is likely to build. The COVID-19 pandemic has sped the changes in the way we think about travel, with an increasing number of us seeking sustainability, relaxation and cultural immersion over convenience and speed. As more and more of us are searching for deeper, more meaningful connections with the places that we visit, destinations like Cornwall, the Algarve and Provence are at the forefront of the future of travel.

Governments are backing slow tourism not only on economic grounds but also because it helps to save the planet. By promoting that people stay longer, thereby solving the issue of long travel to and from that destination, and with eco-friendly accommodation, slow travel can also be a sustainable alternative to traditional tourism.

Conclusion

Cornwall being crowned the No.1 slow travel destination is as much a reflection of the trend but also a sense of the world coming more into line with desirable travel practices in a more mindful, sustainable manner. The world is starting to realize that the real allure of a destination is not when one is speeding through it, but when it is being absorbed at an unhurried and deliberate pace. Slow travel is turning the tourist industry, as we know it, on its head, supported by both governments and business. Whether it’s the cliffs of Cornwall, the vineyards of Provence or the beaches of Lanzarote, slow travel has something deeper to offer: an experience that allows you to get to the heart of a place and to leave it better than we found it.