¿Los programas de viaje «todo lo que puedes viajar» están afectando al turismo sostenible?

¿Los programas de viaje «todo lo que puedes viajar» están afectando al turismo sostenible?
This article was originally published in English

Travel subscriptions offer unique experiences and lower rates amidst environmental issues and exclusivity.

advertisement

Companies across the tourism sector have begun to offer subscription programs to travelers With benefits for members, from exclusive accommodation discounts to «unlimited» or discounted sea trips.

These styles offer ‘All you can travel«Seems like an interesting opportunity and, for travelers like Marius Bittner, it’s easy to take advantage of. «Since I bought the ‘All you can fly’ pass from Wizz Air in December, I have taken 12 flights to destinations such as Seville, Rome, Paris, London, Prague, and Vienna.»

Youtuber, known by the username The airline Cost cut shortly after his first trip. Bittner traveled from Vienna to London and then from London to Prague.

«All you can fly» from Wizz Air

Bittner is not the only traveler taking advantage of the program. A spokesperson for Wizz Air told «Euronews Travel» that the first group of members was sold out 48 hours after its debut in August 2024. Although The airline claims that travelers booked their favorite flight over 90% of the time, YouTuber told his followers that the program has challenges.

«The booking process was generally straightforward through the dedicated site, although travel planning can be a bit tricky.» The Wizz Air website states that the pass applies to 780 routes in 53 countries, although domestic flights within Italy are not included. Slots are Subject to availabilityan essential clause because the window for standby extends only 72 hours three hours before departure.

Bittner states that this limited window makes it harder to secure preferred accommodation in popular tourist destinations like Iceland. He also mentioned other challenges with the flight pass such as unexpected fees for currency exchange and a requirement for Online check-in that has a fee of 50 euros if not completed three hours before departure.

«Another challenge I hadn’t planned for is Long layovers that Wizz Air flight programs involve. If you arrive at 9:00 a.m. and have a connecting flight at 9:00 p.m., you have no other option.

For 189,000 euros, you can explore 365 days in 2026 with a cruise pass

You don’t have to look to the sky to find a pass that suits your travel interests. Both Interrail and Euroil passes provide residents and foreign Europeans the opportunity to secure Unlimited train travel in selected countries and dates.

The Cruise sector has also joined this trend. Virgin Voyages, sailing in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean debuted an annual pass in 2025. For a price of $120,000 (114,260 euros) for a single companion, the company allows pass holders to sail for up to 365 days on any of its cruise routes.

Nicole Huang, Senior Vice President of Virgin Voyages, explains to «Euronews Travel» that the Annual pass from 2025 led to the launch of the 2026 annual cruise pass. In addition to a price increase to $199,000 (189,490 euros), the pass includes perks such as flights and shower transfers, a cabin reservation at a selected property, and a week-long stay on Richard Branson’s exclusive Necker Island.

«After Richard Branson appeared on ‘Good Morning America’ to talk about our annual pass, there was a lot of anticipation,» said Huang. Our travel planners shared the feedback from cruisers who asked for 2026 now, so we thought, ‘Why wait?’ and added some elements to make the package (cruise) a little suite-r.

Seeking flexibility without linking

Inspirato, a luxury Travel subscription brand offers its members discounts on its offering of over 400 accommodations, including hotels, resorts, and vacation homes. With more than 100 global destinations and over a dozen exclusive experiences for members, Inspired caters to travelers seeking luxury getaways in major metropolitan areas and Distant places.

«The increase in subscription programs for luxury travelers reflects a growing demand for secure, quality, and crack experiences,» says Payam Zamani, President and CEO of Inspirato. «Globally, we see a strong and growing appetite for luxury travel programs, as travelers seek more flexibility, exclusivity, and high-end experiences, without long-term ownership.

Other hotel groups are opening their doors to Travel subscriptions. The AKA AKA subscription has an annual fee of $750 (714 euros) and offers discounts at hotels and restaurants in the UK and US, as well as a list of benefits, from free access to the SPA to upgrades in accommodation.

The Global Tablet Hotels brand launched the Tablet Plus program in 2019, a year after being acquired by Michelin. For $99 (94 euros), the annual membership includes spa, daily breakfast, airport transfers, room upgrades, and complimentary wine. Some of the Tablet Plus hotels that can affiliate have Michelin-starred restaurants.

advertisement

Do «all you can travel» programs hinder sustainable tourism?

Neo Zealand Sound Air, as well as the US-based Alaska and Frontier Airlines, have also offered flight programs similar to Wizz Air. While few airlines worldwide offer such programs, the European Environment Agency indicates that Global emissions from the transport sector are growing. «All you can travel» options are based on transportation, which can have unforeseen consequences.

A spokesperson for the EEA states that many EU Member States have policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14.3% by 2030, programs promoting Unlimited flights could contribute to environmental degradation, overtourism, and increased carbon footprint. «An effective strategy to mitigate environmental impact is to Manage demand wherever possible,» adds the EEA spokesperson.

«Travelers should be aware of their consumption and waste. Choose destinations, accommodation, and activities that are Environmentally friendlySupport local businesses, and prioritize options with Lower emissions (such as public transportation, trains, walking, and biking) over air travel can contribute to more sustainable tourism.»

FUENTE

nuevaprensa.info

Deja una respuesta

Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada. Los campos obligatorios están marcados con *