Main Reasons Why People Travel » Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR)

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Definition and importance of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel
Key characteristics of VFR travellers
Economic, social and cultural impacts of VFR tourism
How VFR differs from other forms of tourism
Global trends and statistics in VFR travel
Case studies of VFR tourism in different countries

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Introduction to Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR)

Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) is one of the most common reasons why people travel, yet it's often overlooked in tourism studies. This type of travel involves people journeying specifically to spend time with friends or family members who live in different locations.

Key Definitions:

VFR Tourism: Travel primarily motivated by the desire to visit friends and/or relatives in their home location.
VFR Travellers: People who travel specifically to visit friends or family members.
Domestic VFR: Visiting friends and relatives within the same country.
International VFR: Crossing international borders to visit friends and relatives.

Did You Know?

VFR travel accounts for approximately 27% of all international tourism globally, making it one of the largest segments of the tourism industry!

Why VFR Travel Is Important

VFR travel plays a significant role in the global tourism industry and has several unique characteristics that set it apart from other forms of travel:

📅 Resilience During Crises

VFR travel tends to be more resilient during economic downturns or global crises compared to leisure tourism. People will often prioritise visiting family even when cutting back on holiday spending.

🏠 Alternative Accommodation

VFR travellers frequently stay with the friends or relatives they're visiting rather than in commercial accommodation, creating different economic impacts compared to other tourists.

Characteristics of VFR Travellers

VFR travellers have distinct patterns and behaviours that tourism businesses and destinations need to understand:

Length of stay: Often longer than typical holiday tourists
Seasonality: More likely to travel during major holidays and family celebrations
Repeat visits: Higher likelihood of returning to the same destination multiple times
Local knowledge: Often have access to insider information through their hosts
Spending patterns: May spend less on accommodation but more on gifts, dining out with hosts and local attractions

Economic Impact of VFR Tourism

While VFR travellers are sometimes overlooked because they often don't use hotels, they still contribute significantly to local economies:

💰 Direct Spending

Restaurants, attractions, transport, shopping and sometimes accommodation.

🍽 Host Spending

Local residents often spend more when hosting visitors, eating out more and visiting attractions they wouldn't normally visit.

🚗 Transport Impact

Significant spending on airlines, trains, buses and car hire to reach friends and family.

Social and Cultural Impacts

VFR tourism creates unique social and cultural exchanges that differ from other forms of tourism:

Cultural exchange: Visitors may learn about local culture through their hosts
Social bonds: Strengthens relationships between people living in different places
Diaspora connections: Helps maintain cultural ties for immigrant communities
Local integration: VFR visitors often experience a destination more like a local than a tourist

Case Study Focus: UK Diaspora Tourism

The UK receives millions of VFR visitors annually due to its large diaspora communities. People with family connections to the UK from countries like India, Pakistan, Poland and Commonwealth nations frequently travel to visit relatives. This creates a significant tourism segment that's less affected by seasonal fluctuations and contributes to local economies throughout the year. During Diwali, Christmas and Eid, airports see surges in VFR travellers arriving to celebrate with family.

VFR Travel Motivations

People travel to visit friends and relatives for various reasons, including:

🎉 Celebrations and Events

Weddings, birthdays, graduations, religious holidays and other significant life events often trigger VFR travel as people gather to celebrate together.

💪 Support and Care

People travel to provide care or support during difficult times, such as illness, bereavement, or when relatives have new babies.

Other common motivations include:

Maintaining family bonds and relationships
Reconnecting with old friends
Introducing children to extended family
Combining family visits with holiday experiences
Attending family reunions

Global Trends in VFR Tourism

Several global trends are shaping the future of VFR tourism:

Migration patterns: As more people move for work or study, VFR tourism increases
Globalisation: Increased international connections lead to more dispersed social networks
Technology: Social media helps maintain connections that can lead to VFR travel
Transport accessibility: Low-cost airlines have made VFR travel more affordable
Changing family structures: Blended families create more complex VFR networks

Case Study: COVID-19 Impact on VFR Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of VFR travel. When borders reopened after lockdowns, VFR travel recovered faster than leisure tourism as people prioritised reconnecting with loved ones they had been separated from. Many countries saw emotional scenes at airports as families reunited after prolonged separations. This demonstrated the resilience of VFR tourism and its importance to human wellbeing beyond economic considerations.

Challenges and Opportunities for Destinations

VFR tourism presents unique challenges and opportunities for destinations:

🚧 Challenges

Difficult to market to as travel decisions are based on personal connections
Lower spending on accommodation
Often not counted in tourism statistics if staying with hosts
May travel to areas not typically considered tourist destinations

🎯 Opportunities

More resilient during economic downturns
Hosts can be encouraged to show visitors local attractions
Contributes to year-round tourism rather than just peak seasons
Can help develop tourism in non-traditional areas

Comparing VFR with Other Travel Motivations

VFR differs from other travel motivations in several key ways:

Aspect	VFR Travel	Leisure Tourism	Business Travel
Primary motivation	Social connections	Relaxation/experiences	Work requirements
Accommodation	Often with hosts	Hotels/rentals	Hotels
Destination choice	Based on where contacts live	Based on attractions/amenities	Based on business needs
Seasonality	Often tied to holidays/events	Typically peak seasons	Year-round, weekdays
Repeat visits	Very common	Less common	Sometimes common

Summary: The Importance of VFR Tourism

VFR tourism is a vital component of global travel that creates significant economic, social and cultural impacts. While it may not always be as visible as other forms of tourism, it represents one of the most resilient and consistent travel motivations worldwide.

Understanding VFR tourism is essential for:

Tourism planners developing strategies for destinations
Transport providers planning routes and schedules
Local attractions seeking to reach visitors through their hosts
Communities understanding migration patterns and cultural connections

As global mobility continues to increase, VFR tourism will likely grow in importance, creating both challenges and opportunities for destinations worldwide.

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