The We Society S9 Ep3: Our Love Affair with Travel with journalist Simon Calder
Oct 15, 2025
Simon Calder, a seasoned travel journalist with decades of experience, joins Will Hutton to share his insights on the evolving travel industry. They discuss how budget airlines have democratized travel across Europe, making spontaneous weekend trips a reality. Simon highlights the societal benefits of tourism, including job creation and cultural exchange, while also addressing the challenges of overtourism and economic pressures. He offers intriguing destination recommendations and emphasizes the joys of solo travel, along with the importance of personal responsibility in combating climate change.
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Budget Airlines Democratized Travel
- Low-cost airlines democratised travel by making last-minute and short-haul trips affordable for many.
- Simon Calder argues this widened horizons and made Europeans feel more connected.
Tourism As Economic Opportunity
- Tourism brings substantial financial benefits to many communities and creates jobs quickly.
- Simon Calder considers tourism “the closest thing that anybody can get to free money.”
Regulate Short-Term Lets
- Avoid renting or buying short-term lets that displace local residents in popular destinations.
- Local authorities should regulate and tax short-term lets to protect housing markets, says Simon Calder.