The train and the pursuit of happiness

This model suggests that people should observe how they interact with the present: do they live with full awareness, savoring the everyday moments, or are they always focused on what is missing to achieve their happiness? The theory stresses that our satisfaction should not depend on the culmination of great goals, but on our ability to enjoy the journey. If at every step of the way we are able to find value and meaning, then we may be closer to experiencing full happiness.

This concept is not foreign to positive psychology, the branch of psychology that focuses on human strengths and well-being. Researchers such as Martin Seligman, a pioneer in this field, have emphasized the importance of living with gratitude, mindfulness and optimism to improve our quality of life.

The relationship between trains and tourism

If we transfer this theory to the field of tourism, we find a direct connection. For many, vacations are a temporary escape from routine, an opportunity to disconnect from daily responsibilities and engage in pleasurable activities. However, there is a risk of falling into the same trap described by the “Train Theory”: planning and looking forward to the trip as a future reward, without really enjoying the process.

Travelers, like passengers on a train, often focus so much on the final destination that they forget to enjoy the journey. For example, in the modern world, it is common for people to spend long hours planning their vacations: looking for the best destinations, the cheapest flights, or the most recommended activities. But when it finally comes time to travel, expectations can be so high that they forget to enjoy what they have in front of them. The vacation becomes a goal rather than an experience to savor.

In this sense, theory suggests that we should try to enjoy both the process of preparing for a trip and the experience itself. This includes everything from the pre-trip excitement, to the conversations with friends about destinations, to the actual moment of being in that dream place. In this way, tourism becomes a tool that not only offers relaxation, but also teaches us to value the present and to live each moment to the fullest.

Traveling with mindfulness

Mindfulness, or mindfulness, is a practice that invites people to focus on the present, observing the environment and its sensations without judgment. Traveling with this attitude can be a powerful way to apply the “Train Theory” to tourism.

Imagine a trip to an unfamiliar place. Instead of rushing to see all the sights or making long “to do” lists, you could focus on enjoying each experience. This could include savoring a local meal at leisure, stopping to watch a leisurely sunset, or simply walking the streets observing the daily life of the place. In doing so, you would be applying the train approach: not rushing towards the “goal” of happiness (in this case, having completed a comprehensive itinerary), but enjoying the journey and the small moments.

Conscious tourism, or slow tourism, has become a trend that advocates traveling in a leisurely, reflective and respectful manner with the environment and local communities. This way of traveling promotes total immersion in the destination, not only as a way to disconnect, but also as a way to reconnect with oneself.

The importance of the journey in travel

Tourism is, in many ways, an excellent metaphor for life. We don't just travel to get to a destination, but to enjoy the process of traveling. For example, train travel is a perfect symbol of this concept. Unlike flights, which take us quickly from one place to another, train travel offers a slower experience, allowing passengers to observe the scenery, read a book, reflect, and enjoy the stillness of the moment.

This type of travel promotes a deeper reflection on our relationship to time and space. Traveling by train invites us to slow down, to observe the world through the window, and to remember that it is not only the destination that matters, but the journey itself.

Happiness in wellness tourism

Currently, one of the tourism segments that has grown the most is wellness tourism, focused on providing experiences that promote the physical, mental and emotional health of travelers. This type of tourism not only focuses on providing relaxation, but also on offering tools for travelers to reconnect with themselves, learn to manage stress and find ways to live a more balanced life.

From yoga and meditation retreats, to destinations offering spa therapies and wellness treatments, wellness tourism is a clear expression of the pursuit of happiness through the enjoyment of the present. This type of travel invites tourists to stop, to be aware of their emotions and to appreciate life's small pleasures, such as a sunrise walk or a relaxing massage.

The “Train Theory” offers us a valuable opportunity to reflect on how we live our lives, and how we travel. It reminds us that happiness is not a destination we arrive at, but a way of living the journey. By applying this theory to tourism, we can transform our travel experiences into moments of true satisfaction and fulfillment.

Travel, like life, should be something we enjoy in the present, savoring each moment without constantly worrying about the final destination. In this way, not only do we find happiness along the way, but we also learn to live more consciously and fully. Tourism, at its best, invites us to stop, enjoy and reflect on what really matters: the journey itself, not just the destination we arrive at.

Author: Anne Donoghue

Researcher, writer and lover of tourism