Saving Travel’s Cherished Traditions: A Path Forward

In an age dominated by digital communication, the tradition of sending postcards remains a cherished practice among many travelers. Instances like the morning spent on the Thai island of Koh Chang exemplify this enduring connection. Amidst the allure of new technologies, some still find joy in sending handwritten messages across the globe.

Preserving the Postcard Tradition

For over a decade, individuals have maintained their postcard rituals. One traveler reflects on her long-standing tradition of mailing postcards to her best friend in North Carolina. Despite their geographic distance, this practice helps bridge the gap. It takes just a simple postcard, a few minutes, and a minimal cost of around ฿50 (£1.13) to carry on this decades-old custom.

Decline of Traditional Mail Services

Although some continue to cherish postcard sending, national postal systems face significant challenges. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has accumulated a staggering debt of $15 billion, posting a loss of over $9 billion in 2025 alone. The volume of first-class mail, which encompasses letters and postcards, has suffered a significant downturn, plummeting by 50% over the past 15 years. Projected declines of an additional 29% in the coming decade raise serious concerns.

• In 2024, Americans sent approximately 325 million stamped postcards.
• This figure is a drastic reduction from over 2.7 billion postcards sent in 2000.

Internationally, changes echo similar sentiments. Denmark’s postal service, PostNord, will cease letter deliveries by the end of 2025. Citing a staggering 90% drop in letter volumes since 2000, the country has begun dismantling its famous red post boxes, marking the end of a 400-year postal legacy.

A New Wave of Enthusiasm

Travelers across generations—baby boomers, millennials, and Generation Z—are still committed to exchanging postcards. This movement symbolizes a desire for meaningful connections with loved ones, contrasting the impersonal nature of digital communication.

The Future of Postcards

As technology continues to evolve, the future of postcards hangs in the balance. However, the heartfelt connection they foster may never fully fade away. To many, sending a postcard is not merely an act; it is a labor of love, preserving cherished traditions amidst a rapidly changing world.