Having emerged from Tumblr and established a presence on TikTok, the cottagecore subculture has seen young Americans go online to post pastoral aesthetics and participate in activities that are more common in rural areas. But what exactly is driving Gen Z’s interest in quaint lifestyles?

From mushroom-inspired murals to cabinets filled with crystals, as an interest in nature and mystical practices grows more and more popular, people are swapping out the rural comforts of cottagecore for the otherworldly, dreamlike aesthetic of 'fairy core'.

Glamping is on the rise in China as people look for novelty in local getaways. Whether they’ve been inspired by the North Face x Gucci collaboration or have acquired a renewed appreciation for nature, young luxury spenders are driving a boom in domestic travel and countryside living.

The pandemic has left the travel industry shellshocked and travelers unsure when they can travel again. HipCamp offers people the opportunity to stay anywhere from a cabin in the woods to unused farmland, offering the dose of nature they crave and helping hosts stay afloat in tough times.