Why Reading Retreats Are Becoming a Hot Travel Trend
As I write this, I’m in Greece on a small island called Amorgos. The sea is bright blue, the sky is clear and the temperature is hovering around 78 degrees. Surrounding me at the pool overlooking the water are avid readers. They’ve traveled from around the world to gather here for a week to read. Yes, read. The books, primarily fiction, cross genres. While there are a few electronic devices, most choose to read print. It’s refreshing to see.
What I’m witnessing is the rise of a luxury travel phenomenon: reading retreats. In an age where most vacations are meticulously documented for Instagram and packed with adrenaline-pumping activities, the idea of paying premium prices to essentially do what you could do at home—read a book—might sound counterintuitive. But as I watch people from around the globe lose themselves in paperbacks while sipping wine under the sun, it’s clear that this trend speaks to something deeper than mere literary appreciation.
Meeting Multiple Needs
The retreat I’m attending is hosted by Jonas Saul, a Canadian bestselling author who started offering these literary getaways after the pandemic left readers craving both human connection and uninterrupted reading time.
What strikes me most about this experience isn’t just the obvious appeal of reading in paradise, but how it represents a radical reimagining of what luxury travel can be. Where once prestige vacations meant Michelin-starred restaurants and helicopter tours, the new status symbol appears to be the ultimate commodity: time. Specifically, guilt-free time to be completely present with a book, surrounded by others who understand that choosing to read for hours is aspirational, not antisocial.
What I’m experiencing firsthand on Amorgos is that reading retreats satisfy multiple contemporary travel desires simultaneously. They’re inherently mindful, forcing participants to slow down. They build genuine community around shared interests rather than forced group activities. They cater to solo travelers who want connection without commitment. And crucially, they provide something increasingly rare: permission to be unproductive.
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A Passion for Literature
The variety of companies now offering literary getaways reflects the diversity of reading culture itself. Some focus on female fellowship. Others take the concept further, pairing specific novels with their geographical settings.
The economic data supports what I’m observing anecdotally. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent nearly 23 percent more on recreational books in 2020 than the previous year, and reading time increased at a similar rate—a trend that has continued well beyond the pandemic.
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During yesterday’s excursion to an 11th century monastery, I watched as fellow retreat-goers discussed plot structures and character development with the kind of passionate intensity usually reserved for sports debates. These are serious bibliophiles who’ve made reading a central part of their identity and are willing to travel across continents to find others who share that passion.
A Golden Opportunity for Writers and Publishers
For writers and the publishing industry at large, the explosion of reading retreats represents a transformative opportunity to forge deeper, more meaningful connections with readers than traditional book marketing could ever do. While authors have long relied on brief bookstore appearances and hurried festival signings to connect with their audience, reading retreats offer extended, intimate access to their most devoted fans in settings designed for thoughtful literary discussion.
The retreat model creates multiple revenue streams for authors beyond traditional book sales. Writers can host their own retreats, as Saul has done, charging premium prices for the experience of reading and discussing literature alongside the creator themselves. Or, they can partner with existing retreat companies as featured guests, earning speaking fees while building their personal brand.
For publishers, reading retreats represent a sophisticated form of experiential marketing that targets the industry’s most valuable customers: voracious readers with disposable income who influence others’ reading choices. Rather than competing for fleeting attention in crowded digital spaces, publishers can sponsor retreats or partner with retreat organizers to create themed experiences around upcoming releases. The intimate setting allows for genuine relationship-building with readers who become organic brand ambassadors, spreading word through their personal networks and social media with authentic enthusiasm that money can’t buy.
The publishing industry has struggled for years to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and find new ways to monetize content beyond traditional book sales. Reading retreats offer a path toward building sustainable communities around literary culture itself. Shifting from transactional to experiential engagement could prove crucial as the industry continues to evolve in an increasingly digital world.
Calling All Writers: Your Readers Are Waiting
If you’re a writer, consider this your invitation to explore what might be the most rewarding form of reader engagement you’ve never tried. Start small: Reach out to retreat organizers about guest appearances, or survey your own readership about interest in literary travel experiences. Partner with local bookstores or libraries to test the waters with day-long reading events before committing to international destinations.
The readers are already gathering; they’re just waiting for the writers brave enough to join them in reimagining what literary community can look like in our disconnected age.