Future Narrative #2 - Bol-a-days
This story looks at how a might family might travel between Catalonia and Scotland in 2035. It was imagined in discussions at a 2022 event that brought together Traveltech for Scotland with our sister cluster, Cataloniaâs Tech Tourism Cluster. Over a few days in Scotland, we collaborated on a range of initiatives that culminated in a Travel Tech Futures Workshop. This session explored the future of travel in 10 years time, particularly the relationship between Catalonia and Scotland. The story touches on themes that participants thought would be important in near future travel: sustainable transport, combining volunteer work in exchange for leisure, and creating quality screen-free time for a family.
Illustrated by Esme MacIntyre and written by MĂĄire Ryan.
Bol-a-days - Illustrated by Esme MacIntyre
âMark was at a point in his single parenting journey where he was really beginning to question his choices.â
Not the kids, obviously. Alfa and Beta were his pride and joy. Even during the summer holidays. More, those snap decisions you make which tend to come back and bite you: randomly instigating a once-weekly âveggie nightâ, for example. Having ceded to the pressures of the internet (and, of course, the more self-satisfied (and loud) parents at school pick-up), Mark had become panicked about nutrients and opted to announce that Thursdays were all about vegetables. There, he thought, thatâll make sure they get all their vitamins in one go. Alfa and Beta did not embrace their dadâs efficiency. Rather, they rebelled on âveggie nightâ, sensing the underlying slapdash quality to his decree, and feeling the pre-teen need to resist. They didnât want him getting into the habit of generating random rules. A stash of biscuits in Alfaâs room ensured their hunger strikes were impactful but not too much of a sacrifice.
Of equal concern for Mark were the choices heâd made that actually had lasting resonance. He couldnât exactly put his finger on when heâd decided to pop a VR headset on Alfa (the eldest)âlikely at a time where a work deadline and childcare were his rock and hard placeâhe simply knew that both kids were fully addicted to gaming. Heâd have to turn the electricity off at the fuse to get them to answer a question sometimes. It galled Mark that an interim solution to his workload had led to his gorgeous, funny and curious children spending the majority of their free time transfixed by the digital. While, it could be argued, they were mastering technology which would set them miles ahead in future employment, they remained unruffled by wind, unbruised from adventure, unfreckled by a sunny day. Mark made a new choice: something had to change.
Then his children surprised him. Not only did they willingly take off their headsets (miracles can and do happen, people), but they raised Markâs proposition by suggesting they pursue one of those âworking vacationsâ that had been popping up in their ad spaces for some time now. Mark couldnât risk the annual leave required, since this was usually reserved for when one (or both) kids caught whatever was going around, and so they countered by pursuing âblended holidaysâ which allowed them all to easily combine work with leisure. Alfa dubbed this premise a âbol-a-dayâ: equally relaxing and stimulating experiences for Alfa and Beta, with Mark making guest appearances once the market closed.
Mark was on board with giving his offspring a stimulating dose of reality. The trio gathered around the kitchen table and harangued their virtual travel assistant with ideas. Operation Bol-a-day, as it became known, churned out a series of locations, each combining exploration with contribution. They reached consensus on a tour of rural Scotland, with each leg bringing them to a new local farming family. In exchange for their bed and board, the family would offer their time and skills to assist with farm work, creating a meaningful connection and giving back to the local community. This unique arrangement not only helped them save money on accommodation but also allowed the family to fully immerse themselves in the local culture. As Mark attended to his work remotely, Alfa and Beta could participate in farm activities, gaining valuable insights into sustainable agriculture and experiencing the rewards of hard work.
Throwing in a dash of social consciousness, Beta had also insisted they travel via cargo ship; foregoing the carbon-belching option of an airplane. Hopping on an already-chartered cargo ship with spare capacity was not only better for the planet; it was much, much cheaper, since it was sailing in that direction anyway. Indeed, as the trioâs heads popped over the bow of the ship (at the captainâs invitation) just in time to witness a modest pod of humpback whales surfacing and resurfacing, they were unanimous. The cargo-ship was the only way to travel. However, this unconventional approach was not without its challenges. Blending work and holidays required a significant cultural shift. The family encountered sceptics (Mark from the drop-off crowd, who regarded him as dangerously radical; Alfa and Beta from friends who considered anything other than a beach holiday to be tantamount to torture) and found they had to educate others about the benefits of bol-a-days, emphasising the positive environmental impact and the authentic connections forged with local communities.
What was particularly difficult to convey was the easing of Markâs parenting guilt as, at the end of the day, he received two muddy, grinning kids who were too knackered to even think of plugging into the other reality. Alfa and Beta, more naturally bubbly and thus emotionally verbose, did a somewhat better job of capturing the imagination of their peers: near-misses with enraged bulls and the cold promise of freshly-bedded potato tubers taking on epic significance before their wide-eyed cohorts. The trioâs blended holiday showcased the power of combining work and leisure in a sustainable manner. Travelling via cargo ship, staying with local families and working on farms fostered meaningful connections through contributions to the local communities.
As the concept of bol-a-days gained traction, the challenges of a cultural shift were met with determination, offering a glimpse into a future where work and holidays intertwine for the benefit of individuals and the planet alike.â
Provocation Questions
Weâd love to hear your thought on this story. Here are some questions that we hope might provoke some interesting debate. Feel free to add your comments below!
Thinking about your own life, does the concept of a long-form, blended work and leisure family holiday appeal to you?
Are you starting to seek screen-free time today, and how important do you think it will be in 2035?
Watch our discussion about âBol-a-saysâ
We hosted a discussion about this story with the Founder and CEO of Vocalista, Annabel Illingworth. Together we discussed tech-enabled blended work and voluntourism in rural destinations. Enjoy!