Travel one of the most common ways people satisfy curiosity

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

CURIOSITY IS ONLY GROWING WITH AGE, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH.

A SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICANS FINDS NEARLY SIX IN TEN SAY THEY’RE MORE CURIOUS NOW THAN EVER, WITH MOST WANTING TO TRY NEW THINGS AND LIVE MORE ADVENTUROUSLY.

FOR MANY, THAT MEANS TRAVEL – WITH FOUR IN TEN SAYING SEEING THE WORLD IS HOW THEY FEED THAT CURIOSITY.

AND IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT RELAXING – SIX IN TEN SAY TRIPS FOCUSED ON DISCOVERY ARE JUST AS APPEALING AS A TRADITIONAL VACATION.

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? DO YOU TRAVEL TO RELAX OR TO EXPLORE? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Feb. 20 and Feb. 26, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.