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Visiting friends and relatives

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) refers to a form of travel in which the primary purpose of the trip is to spend time with family members or friends, typically involving non-commercial accommodation provided by the hosts.^[1] This type of travel is distinct from leisure or business tourism due to its social motivation, though it may include secondary activities such as sightseeing or dining out.^[2] VFR constitutes a substantial portion of global tourism activity. In many countries, it represents around half of domestic overnight travel, making it a critical yet often under-researched segment of the industry.^[2] For instance, in Australia, VFR accounted for 19% of domestic overnight trips in 2024, totaling 39.9 million trips (as of 2019 data) and 126.5 million nights, generating $17.4 billion in expenditure (2019), primarily on food, transport, and airfares rather than lodging.^[1]^[3] Economically, VFR travelers tend to spend more on certain categories like dining and attractions compared to non-VFR domestic tourists, supporting local businesses and informal sectors even if they forgo paid accommodations.^[2] In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, VFR is particularly prominent due to migration patterns and social obligations, contributing over 25% of domestic tourism expenditure in countries such as South Africa.^[4] Post-pandemic, VFR has shown resilience, aiding recovery in international arrivals to near pre-2019 levels by 2024.^[5] Key characteristics of VFR travel include its resilience during economic downturns, as social bonds drive participation regardless of market conditions, and its role in fostering community ties by positioning hosts as informal ambassadors for destinations.^[2] Demographically, VFR participants are often older adults—such as those aged 55 and over, who make up 38% of trips in Australia (2019)—and frequently travel without children, with a high proportion of solo or couple journeys.^[1] The market is heterogeneous, encompassing "pure" VFR (focused solely on visits), those using commercial lodging alongside hosts, and trips blending VFR with leisure elements, which complicates measurement but underscores its broad influence on tourism flows.^[4]

Overview

Definition

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism is a form of travel involving a visit whereby either or both the purpose of the trip or the type of accommodation involves visiting friends and/or relatives.^[6] This core definition, articulated by Seaton and Palmer in their 1997 analysis of United Kingdom tourism survey data, positions VFR as a distinct market segment characterized by personal connections rather than commercial leisure or business motives.^[6] VFR often involves non-commercial accommodation provided free of charge by hosts, though it can also include commercial lodging if the primary purpose is visiting friends or relatives, emphasizing relational ties over transactional exchanges. Additionally, VFR often blends primary personal interactions—such as family gatherings or catch-ups—with incidental tourism activities, including local exploration or cultural experiences facilitated by the host.^[7] For instance, a person traveling to a distant city primarily to spend time with a sibling, staying at their home over the holidays and joining guided tours of nearby attractions at the host's suggestion, represents classic VFR travel. In contrast, if the trip's purpose shifts to independent leisure without significant interaction with friends or relatives, even with a booked hotel, it would align more closely with general leisure tourism.^[6]

Significance in Tourism

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel represents a substantial portion of the global tourism market, accounting for approximately one-quarter of international tourist arrivals in many contexts.^[8] This segment often encompasses a broad range of trips motivated by personal connections, contributing significantly to overall tourist flows despite varying definitions across regions. According to estimates from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), when combined with related purposes such as health, religion, and other non-leisure activities, VFR-related travel was projected in a 2011 report to constitute around 31% of all international arrivals by 2030.^[9] Its scale underscores VFR as a foundational element of tourism dynamics, influencing destination planning and resource allocation worldwide. Despite its prominence, VFR travel is frequently underrepresented in official tourism statistics, primarily because many participants stay in free or non-commercial accommodations provided by hosts, which excludes them from hotel-based arrival counts and expenditure tracking. This methodological oversight leads to undervaluation of VFR's true volume and economic footprint, as national tourism organizations often prioritize paid lodging metrics that overlook informal stays. Research highlights that such exclusions can underestimate reported VFR shares by 20-30% in Australian destinations, for example, distorting policy decisions and marketing strategies.^[10] VFR's broader impacts extend beyond direct travel, fostering secondary economic activity through expenditures on food, local transportation, shopping, and attractions, which indirectly bolster local businesses and supply chains.^[11] These spillover effects generate multiplier benefits, such as increased revenue for restaurants and retail outlets, even as VFR travelers avoid hotel costs, supporting community-level economies in ways that complement traditional tourism. In comparison to leisure tourism, VFR participants often exhibit higher per-trip spending in non-accommodation categories like dining and entertainment, despite overall lower totals due to free lodging; for instance, studies indicate VFR groups allocate more to meals and activities per person than pure leisure visitors in surveyed markets.^[12] This pattern highlights VFR's role in diversifying tourism revenue streams and enhancing destination resilience.

Historical Development

Origins and Early Recognition

The practice of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) has deep historical roots in pre-20th century migration movements, particularly the European diaspora of the 19th century, when over 50 million people emigrated from Europe to North America, South America, and other regions in search of economic opportunities and land.^[13] These mass migrations dispersed families across continents, fostering informal patterns of return visits and family reunions that combined personal ties with long-distance travel, even as transportation was limited to sailing ships and early railways. In the early 20th century, global conflicts and economic shifts intensified such patterns, but it was the post-World War II era that significantly amplified VFR through large-scale labor migrations to Europe and North America. Reconstruction efforts created demand for workers, leading to programs that recruited millions from Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia; for instance, Western Europe's guestworker initiatives from the 1950s to 1970s brought in laborers from Turkey, Morocco, Italy, and Yugoslavia, resulting in family separations followed by reunions and ongoing visits to maintain social bonds.^[14] These migrations established VFR as a recurring travel form, often involving extended stays and cultural exchanges, though still viewed primarily as personal rather than touristic activity. The formal academic recognition of VFR as a distinct segment of tourism emerged in the 1990s, as scholars began to differentiate it from general leisure or business travel in response to growing evidence of its scale in national surveys. A foundational work was A.V. Seaton's 1994 chapter, which critiqued the conventional aggregation of VFR within broader tourism categories and proposed reassessing it as a unique market segment characterized by social motivations, lower commercial accommodation use, and potential for supplementary tourism spending.^[15] A major milestone in this recognition came with the 1997 publication by Seaton and C. Palmer, which analyzed data from the first five years of the United Kingdom National Tourist Survey (1990–1994) to empirically map VFR patterns, volumes, and behaviors. This study framed VFR within established tourism market segmentation theories, demonstrating its dominance in domestic trips—accounting for up to 40% of visits in the UK—and highlighting its underestimation in policy and industry analyses.^[16]

Evolution in Modern Tourism

In the early 21st century, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel experienced significant growth, largely driven by rising international migration. The global stock of international migrants increased from 173 million in 2000 to 281 million in 2020, representing a 62% rise, which directly boosted VFR flows as migrants and their networks maintained transnational ties through visits.^[17] This surge was particularly evident in regions with high migration, where VFR accounted for a substantial portion of inbound tourism, contributing to more stable visitor patterns compared to leisure travel.^[18] Technological advancements further facilitated VFR's expansion since the 2010s, with low-cost carriers (LCCs) making air travel more accessible and affordable for personal visits. For instance, the proliferation of LCCs in Asia-Pacific markets reduced fares, enabling more frequent VFR trips among migrant communities, such as in China where such travel became economically viable for lower-income groups.^[19] Concurrently, social media platforms strengthened interpersonal connections, allowing migrants and their relatives to coordinate visits more effectively and share real-time experiences that reinforced travel intentions.^[20] Policy developments in the 2010s increasingly incorporated VFR into broader tourism and mobility frameworks, recognizing its role in economic and social cohesion. In the European Union, analyses of intra-EU migration highlighted VFR as a key driver of tourism between member states, prompting its integration into discussions on sustainable mobility and regional development strategies.^[21] The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted this trajectory, causing a sharp decline in VFR travel from 2020 to 2022 due to border closures and restrictions, with international VFR volumes dropping alongside overall tourism.^[22] However, VFR rebounded strongly post-2022 as an essential category, often prioritized in reopening policies for family reunification, driving recovery through domestic and short-haul visits that emphasized reconnection over leisure. By 2024, VFR trips in regions like Scotland increased by 24% year-over-year, indicating sustained global recovery.^[23]^[24]

Motivations and Characteristics

Key Motivations

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel is primarily driven by the desire to strengthen familial and social bonds, with approximately 75% of domestic VFR trips motivated by visits to relatives rather than friends.^[25] These journeys fulfill essential relational needs, such as providing emotional support during life events and reinforcing interpersonal connections that may have been strained by geographic separation due to migration or work. Cultural obligations further propel these travels.^[26] Secondary motivations often blend VFR with leisure activities, allowing travelers to combine relational visits with sightseeing or recreational pursuits guided by hosts, thereby enhancing the overall experience without shifting the primary focus from personal connections.^[27] This integration reflects a practical approach to travel, where the presence of accommodating hosts reduces logistical barriers like lodging costs. Psychologically, VFR travel fosters a profound sense of belonging and evokes nostalgia, particularly for migrants returning to ancestral or familiar places, which helps reaffirm identity and provide emotional relief from daily stresses.^[28] Such journeys serve as a mechanism for processing memories and longing for home, contributing to personal well-being through renewed ties to one's cultural or social roots.^[26] Demographic patterns highlight VFR's prevalence among specific groups, including migrants who maintain transnational links to their origins, young adults such as international students seeking affordable social connections abroad, and ethnic minorities like South Asian communities who prioritize these visits to preserve heritage.^[28]^[2]^[29] These influences underscore how life stage, migration status, and cultural background amplify the relational pull of VFR over other travel forms.

Distinct Features Compared to Other Travel

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel differs from conventional tourism primarily through its reliance on personal relationships, which fundamentally alter operational and behavioral patterns. Unlike leisure or business travelers who typically book commercial accommodations, VFR visitors predominantly stay with hosts at no direct cost, fostering deeper social immersion but shifting economic burdens to local residents. For instance, studies indicate that approximately 86.2% of VFR travelers opt for free stays with family or friends, contrasting with the hotel-centric model of other tourism segments.^[30] This host-provided lodging often extends to informal guidance, where relatives or friends serve as de facto tour operators, recommending off-the-beaten-path experiences unavailable through standard travel agencies. Itinerary flexibility represents another hallmark of VFR travel, setting it apart from the rigid schedules of package tours or conference agendas. VFR trips lack the seasonal peaks common in leisure tourism, occurring year-round and adapting spontaneously to host availability or family events, which allows for unstructured exploration guided by personal connections rather than commercial itineraries. Research highlights how hosts influence activity choices through word-of-mouth, blending obligatory social visits with optional outings, such as local dining or attractions, in a way that leisure tourists rarely experience due to their independence from local networks.^[31] This host-driven adaptability often results in less predictable patterns, prioritizing relational dynamics over predefined destinations. In terms of duration and frequency, VFR travel typically involves extended stays and repeated visits, diverging from the shorter, one-off trips of many other travelers. Data from surveys in South Korea show that a significant portion of VFR stays exceed 11 days—for instance, 32.6% last 11–30 days—enabling prolonged family interactions not feasible in time-constrained business or holiday travel.^[30] Frequency is similarly elevated, as 33.4% of VFR participants return four or more times, reinforcing ongoing bonds and contrasting with the infrequent nature of most recreational tourism. These patterns contribute to a blended activity profile, where private engagements like family gatherings seamlessly integrate with public pursuits, such as visiting cultural sites, amplifying the relational essence of the journey.^[30]

Types of VFR Travel

Domestic VFR

Domestic VFR travel represents a significant portion of overall tourism activity within national borders, particularly in expansive countries where population distribution and mobility play key roles. Domestic VFR is one of the largest segments of leisure travel in the United States. This prevalence is similarly pronounced in China, where internal migration of approximately 300 million rural-to-urban workers fuels substantial VFR movements, especially during annual homecoming periods.^[32] Patterns of domestic VFR travel typically involve shorter distances compared to international journeys, with road travel dominating due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. In the US, for instance, holiday weekends like Thanksgiving see massive VFR participation, with nearly 80 million travelers in 2024, of whom 71.7 million opted for driving to visit family and friends.^[33] In China, the Chunyun period around Lunar New Year exemplifies this, involving hundreds of millions returning to hometowns via road, rail, and air, often covering hundreds of kilometers from urban centers to rural origins.^[34] Common examples include urban-to-rural visits by city dwellers to ancestral villages or family gatherings in regional towns, reflecting migration-driven family ties. A key unique aspect of domestic VFR is the absence of international barriers such as visas or customs, enabling seamless mobility within national territories. This ease contrasts with international VFR, which often contends with cross-border complexities. In China, while the hukou system regulates residency, it does not impede physical movement, allowing visa-free domestic journeys that support frequent VFR despite regional economic disparities.^[35]

International VFR

International visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel involves cross-border movements primarily motivated by maintaining familial and social ties, often closely intertwined with global migration patterns. This form of tourism frequently follows diaspora pathways, where migrants and their descendants return to countries of origin or host relatives in new destinations. For instance, in the European Union, human migration stocks, representing about 3% of the EU28 population, are strongly correlated with VFR tourism flows, with a 1% increase in immigrant stocks leading to a 0.23% rise in corresponding tourism arrivals between 2000 and 2012. Globally, VFR accounted for approximately 27% of international tourism flows as of 2012, underscoring its scale in transnational mobility.^[36] Key challenges in international VFR include stringent visa requirements and associated financial costs, which can deter frequent travel, particularly for migrants from non-EU or developing countries seeking short-stay Schengen visas. These barriers often involve extensive documentation, such as invitation letters and proof of financial stability, with application fees and travel to embassies adding significant expenses—sometimes exceeding €150 per applicant for related exams or processes. Representative examples highlight the migration-VFR nexus. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) frequently return to the Philippines for family visits, comprising about 8.2% of total inbound arrivals in 2023 as overseas Filipinos engaging in VFR travel.^[37] Similarly, the Indian diaspora contributes substantially to inbound tourism, with diaspora visitors accounting for 28.3% of foreign tourist arrivals in 2024.^[38] Growth in international VFR has been bolstered by rising remittances, which provide the financial means for migrants to fund return trips, as emigrants' earnings directly support outbound VFR tourism to origin countries. Additionally, post-2010 family reunification policies in regions like the EU and other migrant-receiving nations have eased legal pathways for relatives to join migrants, indirectly promoting sustained cross-border VFR by strengthening transnational family networks and enabling more visits.^[18]

Economic Impacts

Spending Patterns

VFR travelers typically exhibit spending patterns that differ markedly from those of conventional leisure tourists, with minimal outlays on accommodation due to staying with hosts. This results in near-zero expenditures on lodging, allowing a larger share of the budget to be allocated to other categories such as food, transportation, and entertainment. Research indicates that food and transportation often constitute a substantial portion of VFR budgets, reflecting the emphasis on shared meals, local outings, and mobility during extended social visits.^[27] Despite lower daily spending rates compared to leisure segments, VFR trips frequently result in elevated total expenditures owing to longer durations of stay. For instance, studies in Canadian urban areas show VFR travelers averaging $220.42 per trip, surpassing the $158.00 for pleasure travelers, primarily because of extended lengths like 5.7 nights versus 3.3 nights. Similarly, in New Zealand's Niue, international VFR visitors spend an average of NZ$1,136 per trip, representing 78% of holiday visitor expenditures when adjusted for similar stay lengths.^[39]^[40]^[41] Hosts play a pivotal role in shaping these patterns by providing recommendations and often accompanying guests, which directs spending toward local eateries, shops, and attractions rather than tourist-oriented venues. This influence fosters patronage of community-based businesses, amplifying the indirect economic value of VFR visits beyond the travelers' direct outlays.^[27] Domestic VFR travel generally involves lower per-trip spending but occurs more frequently, sustaining consistent economic contributions at destinations. In Canada, for example, domestic VFR trips average $433.70 excluding accommodation, lower than the $526.13 for paid pleasure trips, yet VFR accounts for a significant volume of repeat and short-haul movements. In contrast, international VFR tends toward higher individual trip costs driven by airfare and longer distances, though data variations highlight the need for context-specific analysis.^[40]

Contributions to Destinations

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism provides substantial economic injection to host destinations by channeling expenditures into local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in sectors like food services and retail. In Australia, VFR travel constitutes approximately 34% of the total overnight domestic tourism market as of 2019, supporting regional economies where tourism often represents a larger share of GDP and employment compared to urban areas.^[1]^[42] This influx bolsters SMEs through increased demand for dining, groceries, and local goods, as VFR travelers tend to integrate into community consumption patterns rather than relying solely on tourist infrastructure.^[43] The multiplier effects of VFR spending further amplify its macroeconomic impact, generating secondary economic activity that stimulates job creation across supply chains. For instance, initial VFR expenditures on local services lead to re-spending by businesses and households, with tourism multipliers typically ranging from 1.5 to 2 times the direct input in many destinations, including indirect effects on employment in transportation, hospitality, and retail.^[44] In VFR contexts, this effect is enhanced by host-facilitated spending, such as entertaining guests, which creates a "hidden" multiplier through additional local purchases.^[44] These dynamics contribute to sustained job growth, particularly in communities with limited alternative economic drivers. VFR tourism also promotes sustainability by fostering year-round visitation patterns that mitigate seasonality challenges in host destinations. Unlike leisure tourism concentrated in peak periods, VFR trips occur more evenly throughout the year, driven by personal ties rather than weather or holidays, thereby stabilizing revenue streams for local businesses.^[45] This reduced susceptibility to seasonal fluctuations helps maintain employment and infrastructure utilization, supporting long-term economic resilience in regions prone to off-peak downturns.^[46] Case studies illustrate VFR's role in post-COVID recovery efforts. In New Zealand, following border reopening in 2022, overall international visitor numbers reached 76% of 2019 figures in 2023, with VFR contributing to the rebound and helping inject $9.9 billion in spending as of 2023, aiding economic stabilization in urban and regional areas alike.^[47] By the year ending September 2024, international visitors numbered 3.31 million and contributed $11.7 billion, indicating continued recovery.^[48] Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel plays a crucial role in strengthening interpersonal relationships, particularly among family members and close networks separated by distance. Through physical copresence during visits, participants reinforce emotional bonds, providing opportunities for direct interaction that virtual communication cannot fully replicate. This relational strengthening enhances emotional well-being by offering comfort, self-reflection, and a sense of security, especially for migrants who may feel isolated in their host countries.^[49]^[50] For diaspora communities, VFR travel facilitates community integration by allowing hosts to introduce visitors to local social networks, which aids in acculturation processes. Hosts often guide guests through everyday community life, fostering a deeper understanding of the host environment and helping newcomers build connections that ease their transition. This integration not only supports the visitors but also reaffirms the hosts' own ties to both their heritage and adopted communities, promoting a balanced sense of belonging.^[49]^[51] The broader benefits of VFR include the accumulation of social capital, manifested through increased trust, reciprocity, and expanded networks that bridge personal and communal spheres. Studies indicate that such travel reduces feelings of loneliness among immigrants by enabling hosting activities that showcase personal achievements and provide mutual support, thereby enhancing overall psychological stability. For instance, multi-generational gatherings during VFR trips often preserve family traditions, strengthening collective identity and relational ties across age groups.^[49]^[51]^[52]

Cultural Exchange and Identity

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel facilitates cultural exchange through intimate interactions where hosts and guests share traditions, languages, and foods, enabling the transmission of cultural knowledge in everyday settings. For instance, immigrant hosts often prepare traditional meals and recount family stories during visits, which reinforce familial bonds while introducing visitors to the nuances of the host's adopted culture. This reciprocal sharing builds cultural capital, as hosts gain confidence in navigating their new social environments by explaining and demonstrating their heritage practices.^[53] VFR is especially crucial for second-generation migrants in preserving and reinforcing their ethnic identity, providing opportunities to reconnect with ancestral roots amid assimilation pressures. These visits allow individuals to experience their heritage firsthand, helping them reconcile dual identities and foster a sense of belonging. In one study of Estonian migrants' children in Australia, participants described such trips as "touching with your roots," where immersion in the homeland's customs and landscapes solidified their cultural self-perception and countered feelings of disconnection.^[54] Among U.S. Latino communities, VFR travel plays a key role in maintaining cultural heritage, with 61% of Latino and Hispanic travelers identifying family visits as their primary motivation, often encompassing celebrations of traditions like quinceañeras or Día de los Muertos that sustain linguistic and familial legacies. Similarly, for the Indian diaspora, VFR during festivals such as Diwali enables second-generation individuals to participate in rituals like lighting diyas and exchanging sweets with relatives, evolving yet preserving core elements of their identity across generations.^[55]^[56] Beyond individual benefits, VFR contributes to broader societal effects by promoting tolerance and multiculturalism in host communities, as locals encounter diverse perspectives through personal interactions rather than superficial tourism. These exchanges challenge stereotypes and encourage cross-cultural empathy, enhancing social cohesion in increasingly diverse destinations.^[57]

Health and Safety Considerations

Associated Risks

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travelers face elevated health risks primarily due to prolonged close contact with locals, extended stays in endemic areas, and reduced adherence to preventive measures compared to tourists. These factors contribute to a higher incidence of infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. For instance, VFR travelers have up to a 4.5-fold increased risk of contracting malaria relative to tourist travelers, often because of partial or waning immunity from prior residence in endemic regions and less use of prophylaxis. Similarly, VFR travelers account for a disproportionate share of imported cases, including 94.4% of typhoid fever and 52.9% of malaria diagnoses among Quebec travelers returning from high-risk destinations.^[58]^[59] The COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) further highlighted elevated risks for VFR travelers, who often engage in close-knit family gatherings that facilitate transmission. Studies showed VFR travelers were at higher risk of infection due to lower rates of pre-travel health consultations and vaccination uptake compared to other travelers, with diaspora communities sometimes facing barriers to accessing boosters or testing. Emotional wellbeing was also impacted, as travel restrictions strained social connections central to VFR motivations. As of 2025, ongoing vigilance for respiratory illnesses remains advised, particularly in group settings.^[60]^[61] Safety hazards in VFR travel arise from navigating unfamiliar environments, where travelers often rely on hosts for guidance in local transportation, activities, and daily routines, potentially heightening accident risks. Unintentional injuries represented about 18.7% of travel-related deaths among Canadian travelers (1996-2004), with VFR travelers particularly susceptible due to engagement in community-based outings that may involve poor road conditions, lack of safety infrastructure, or unfamiliar hazards like drowning in local waters. Road traffic injuries, which cause approximately 27% of global injury fatalities (as of 2024), are amplified for VFRs in low- and middle-income countries through shared vehicles or informal travel arrangements guided by relatives.^[62]^[62]^[63] An additional concern is the potential overburden on hosts, who may experience fatigue, resource strain, and emotional stress from accommodating visitors. Hosting often disrupts daily routines, incurs extra financial costs for food and lodging, and leads to loss of privacy, sometimes resulting in relational tensions if expectations are unmet. These strains are more pronounced during long visits or in resource-limited settings.^[64] Certain groups within VFR travel parties are especially vulnerable to these risks, including elderly relatives and children, who may have compromised immunity or limited mobility. Pediatric VFR travelers face heightened chances of vaccine-preventable infections like hepatitis A and typhoid due to incomplete immunization and exposure during family interactions. Elderly participants are at greater risk for complications from infectious diseases and injuries in unfamiliar settings, compounded by chronic health conditions. Preventive measures, such as tailored vaccinations and safety briefings, can help mitigate these vulnerabilities.^[65]^[66]^[67]

Preventive Measures

Travelers engaging in visiting friends and relatives (VFR) trips should prioritize vaccinations and health preparations to mitigate risks associated with extended stays in potentially high-risk environments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all eligible VFR travelers receive the hepatitis A vaccine or demonstrate serologic immunity prior to departure, as this disease is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water in many destinations.^[68] Additionally, screening for hepatitis B infection followed by vaccination for those who are uninfected and non-immune is advised, typically via a two- or three-dose series.^[68] Routine immunizations, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, should be updated, with early doses considered for children aged 6–11 months traveling to outbreak areas.^[68] Destination-specific vaccines, including typhoid, yellow fever, and meningococcal, are essential based on the itinerary; for instance, typhoid vaccination is routinely suggested regardless of prior infection history if the risk is present.^[68] For post-pandemic travel, ensuring up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status is also recommended, particularly for destinations with ongoing transmission risks. Pre-travel consultations ideally occur 4–6 weeks in advance to allow time for vaccine series completion and to address chronic conditions or medications.^[69] Hosts play a crucial role in supporting VFR travelers by fostering preventive practices during visits. Advice from health authorities emphasizes maintaining strict hygiene standards, such as safe food and water handling to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses, and using insect repellents and bed nets in malaria-endemic areas.^[70] Emergency planning is vital, including knowledge of local healthcare facilities and ensuring travelers carry essential medications obtained prior to departure.^[68] Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended, as VFR travelers may face barriers to care abroad due to assumptions of familial support or limited resources.^[69] Hosts should also discuss and respect traveler preferences for preventive measures, countering potential social pressures to forgo them in familiar settings.^[68] Policy tools tailored for VFR travel enhance risk mitigation through targeted advisories. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), via its migrant health guide updated as of March 2025, urges VFR travelers to consult country-specific travel advice 6–8 weeks before trips, integrating health risks with entry requirements.^[69] This includes alerts on malaria prophylaxis for African destinations and typhoid vaccination for the Indian subcontinent, with healthcare providers encouraged to screen for VFR plans during routine visits.^[69] The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) provides specialist lines for complex cases, promoting opportunistic education on insurance and post-travel monitoring.^[71] Education campaigns focused on diaspora communities aim to boost awareness of VFR-specific risks and encourage pre-travel preparations. Community-based initiatives, such as those distributing multilingual materials through newspapers, radio, and festivals, have targeted high-VFR ethnic groups to highlight vaccine needs and malaria prevention.^[72] These efforts address barriers like underestimation of local risks during family visits, promoting care-seeking behaviors through culturally tailored messaging.^[72]

Global Statistics and Trends

Key Statistics

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism represents a substantial segment of global travel activity. VFR accounts for approximately 25% of all international tourist arrivals.^[8] This form of travel is especially common among migrant communities, where familial connections drive frequent visits. Post-pandemic recovery has been robust, with international tourism reaching 99% of pre-COVID levels in 2024.^[73]

Emerging Trends

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual visiting friends and relatives (VFR) through video calls has emerged as a key supplement to physical travel, enabling maintained social connections despite travel restrictions or logistical challenges. Studies highlight that video calls facilitated ongoing family care and social enrichment in settings like aged care facilities during lockdowns, with 44% of participants reporting increased contact frequency compared to pre-pandemic norms. Post-2020, this digital approach has persisted as a hybrid model, complementing in-person visits by allowing more frequent, low-barrier interactions that reduce the need for long-distance travel.^[74] Sustainability concerns are increasingly shaping VFR patterns, with travelers opting for eco-conscious choices that align with the inherently lower-carbon profile of VFR compared to traditional tourism. VFR trips often involve staying in private homes, which results in reduced energy consumption—such as lower daily power and water use—than hotel-based stays, positioning VFR as a more environmentally friendly segment. According to 2025 research, 93% of global travelers express intent to adopt more sustainable practices, including low-carbon transport options like trains or carpooling, which are rising in popularity for family visits to minimize emissions. A Booking.com survey notes this shift, with 84% of respondents prioritizing sustainability in their planning.^[75]^[76] Demographic changes, particularly aging populations, are driving a surge in elder-care oriented VFR travel, as older adults seek to strengthen family ties amid longer lifespans and dispersed networks. In the United States, adults aged 50 and older averaged 3.9 trips in 2024, with 56% motivated primarily by spending time with family or friends, reflecting a prioritization of multi-generational connections for emotional and health support. This trend is amplified by global population aging, where the "third age" segment—active seniors—expands VFR demand for caregiving and companionship visits.^[77]^[78] Climate change is introducing disruptions to VFR routes through intensified extreme weather. For example, the Central Europe floods in September 2024, exacerbated by climate-driven heavy rainfall from Storm Boris, led to road closures and rail inundations, complicating family reunions and care visits in affected areas.^[79] In the United States, more than 60,000 miles of coastal roads and bridges are at risk of flooding due to sea level rise, posing ongoing threats to transportation networks used for VFR travel.^[80] These impacts are projected to increase, prompting VFR travelers to adapt by selecting resilient or alternative paths to ensure continuity.

Challenges and Policy Implications

Main Challenges

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel faces significant measurement challenges, primarily due to its non-commercial nature, which leads to underreporting in official tourism statistics. Traditional data collection methods, such as those relying on accommodation surveys or purpose-of-visit classifications, often overlook VFR travelers who stay in private homes rather than commercial lodging, resulting in incomplete counts. For instance, in the early 2010s, official figures in Australia estimated VFR at around 25% of the market, while independent research from the same period suggested it constitutes up to 48% of overnight tourism, highlighting the gap caused by definitional ambiguities and exclusion of non-paid stays.^[81] As of 2024, official estimates have adjusted to 19% of domestic overnight trips, though debates on underestimation persist.^[3] Additionally, the lack of a standardized global definition for VFR—often overlapping with leisure or business travel—further complicates accurate measurement, as evidenced by varying frameworks across studies that fail to consistently distinguish visiting friends from relatives or account for hybrid trip purposes.^[30] Visa requirements and travel costs present formidable barriers to VFR participation, particularly for low-income migrants and their families. Restrictive visa policies in high-income destinations impose lengthy application processes, high fees, and frequent denials, disproportionately affecting those from developing countries who seek to visit relatives abroad. Economic hurdles, including airfare and ancillary expenses like insurance and medical checks, can exceed several months' income for low-wage households; for example, round-trip flights from South Africa to destinations like Australia or the UK range from $1,000 to $1,800 USD, often deterring visits altogether.^[82] These barriers contribute to reduced VFR mobility among the poor, as high migration and travel costs limit return visits and family reunions, exacerbating emotional and social strains. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these issues through travel bans and health requirements, delaying family reunions and increasing financial burdens in recovery, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.^[83] Host overload is a pressing issue in VFR dynamics, where frequent or large-group visits strain personal and community resources in popular destinations. Hosts, often migrants themselves, bear the burden of providing accommodation, meals, and transportation without financial compensation, leading to elevated stress levels from the emotional expectations tied to kinship obligations. In urban immigrant hubs like Brisbane, Australia, Taiwanese hosts report heightened preparation demands for first-time VFR guests, including cultural hosting norms that amplify resource use and fatigue.^[84] This overload can manifest in depleted household supplies, time away from work, and infrastructure pressures in densely populated areas, potentially reducing hosts' quality of life if visits become too frequent or extended. Inequality in VFR benefits distribution further undermines its sustainability, with gains disproportionately favoring urban areas over rural ones. In regions like South Africa, VFR flows are concentrated in metropolitan centers where migrant networks are denser, channeling economic and social advantages—such as local spending and cultural exchanges—to city economies while rural communities see minimal spillover.^[83] This urban bias perpetuates regional disparities, as rural hosts and destinations receive fewer visitors and less associated support, reinforcing broader socio-economic divides in tourism participation.^[85]

Strategies for Support

Policy recommendations for enhancing visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism emphasize simplifying visa processes to reduce barriers for family visits. Governments are advised to introduce or expand dedicated visa streams that prioritize short-term family reunions, including streamlined applications, lower fees, and faster processing times to boost VFR participation. For instance, Australia's Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored Family stream enables eligible family members to visit relatives with sponsorship from Australian citizens or permanent residents, allowing stays of up to 12 months while requiring proof of ties to the home country to prevent overstays. ^[86] Such approaches align with broader calls for relaxed entry policies, which studies show can increase tourism arrivals by making travel more accessible for diaspora communities. ^[87] Marketing strategies targeting VFR involve destination campaigns that engage diaspora populations to encourage return visits and family invitations. These efforts often leverage cultural ties and word-of-mouth promotion rather than traditional advertising, as VFR travelers rely heavily on personal networks. In Canada, initiatives by Destination Canada indirectly support VFR through branding that highlights authentic connections and community openness, appealing to immigrants' networks to foster more visits. ^[88] Research underscores the potential of such targeted promotions to elevate VFR's role in overall tourism, particularly by partnering with ethnic communities to co-create content that resonates with potential visitors. ^[31] Community programs play a key role in supporting VFR hosts by providing resources and training for sustainable practices. Initiatives focused on host education can include workshops on resource management, cultural sensitivity, and eco-friendly hosting to alleviate burdens like increased household costs or environmental strain. For example, programs promoting sustainable VFR emphasize off-season visits and local engagement to distribute tourism benefits more evenly across communities. ^[89] These efforts help transform hosts into active participants in tourism development, enhancing resident satisfaction and long-term viability. ^[75] Addressing research needs requires improved data collection methods to better incorporate VFR into tourism planning. Current approaches often rely on inconsistent surveys that undercount VFR due to its informal nature, leading to overlooked contributions in economic forecasts and policy design. Recommendations include adopting mixed-methods tools, such as host-based tracking and diaspora registries, to capture VFR volumes, expenditures, and impacts more accurately. ^[30] Enhanced data would enable evidence-based strategies, filling gaps in understanding VFR's role relative to other tourism segments. ^[2]

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