Not so lonely planet

Growing up, my mum loved travel guides. It didn’t always mean that we were planning on travelling, she just liked reading up about different places from a perspective that sat somewhere between a tourist and an insider’s understanding of far-off places like Chad, Chile or China.

It seems quaint now, in this hyper-connected world; getting a book from the library, a thick one with very small print at that (speaking of which, make sure you pick up a copy of the 2026 QS Yearbook), and spending a week or so finding out about somewhere else. But, regardless, it’s something she still enjoys doing.

On Sundays, my family and I would also watch travel programmes on tv. Michael Palin’s shows were always a must watch, as was the Australian series, A river somewhere. Our viewing habits weren’t unique; many other families also watched those shows both out of interest and vicarious enjoyment.

Being in one of the most remote major countries in the world, Australia, may have influenced our interest. It certainly goes a long way towards explaining why it’s so difficult to go anywhere in the world without bumping into an Australian.

But I think that’s too convenient to say one nationality is more interested in travel than others. In 2025, there were 7 million international students around the world, and the QS Global Student Flows report predicts that will increase to 8.5 million by 2030. There is a deep desire to learn about different cultures and different places, to travel there, to experience, and to expand perspective.