1. Off the beaten track
Whether it’s the vast, isolated landscapes of the Middle East or the untouched rainforests of Southeast Asia, adventure-seeking travellers are increasingly lured by unique, far-flung destinations where few tourists tread.
According to Brigid Avery from Wild World Travel, heightened awareness around overtourism and a desire to escape the crowds means globetrotters are venturing out to lesser-known places – think the hidden gems of Sri Lanka, or the adventure playground that is Costa Rica, home to Cloud Forests, volcano national parks and pristine beaches.
When intrepid wanderers opt to visit more well-trodden destinations, they do so outside of peak seasons. A report published earlier this year by Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) highlighted an uptick in shoulder-season travel to sought-after European destinations, and found that almost half of parents (47%) plan to take their children out of school in 2024 to travel outside of peak season.
2. Customised and curated
It makes sense that adventurous travellers want to explore the world on their own terms, and are turning to travel advisors to help them craft the perfect itinerary that caters to their specific needs and preferences.
“Post-COVID, customers are looking for unique experiences. They want something custom made for their needs, and they are happy to pay to get it,” says Gold Coast travel agent Nate Taiaroa, CEO of Adventure Out Loud.
Tailor-made adventure tours are especially ideal for groups and multi-generational families who may have more particular requirements, whether it be extra touches of luxury for those with generous budgets, or a slower pace with plenty of downtime between activities for those travelling with kids or elderly family members.
3. People and planet
The wellbeing of the planet is top-of-mind for adventure travellers, with a growing desire to support the local communities they visit and minimise their carbon footprints while exploring some of the world’s wildest and most pristine natural destinations.
“Our impact on the planet is starting to play a significant role in the decisions travellers make around destinations and the suppliers they travel with,” says Avery.
Many adventure travel operators are wholeheartedly embracing the eco movement. For example, G Adventures has calculated a ‘Ripple Score’ for most of its tours, allowing travellers to view their impact on the places they visit, while Intrepid Travel has introduced carbon labels to 500 trips, helping its customers make informed decisions.
4. Eyes on Africa
Those with a big appetite for adventure are heading to Africa, which has seen a 33% growth in visitors on organised adventures in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic 2019, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)’s 2024 Industry Outlook.
Egypt has reeled in 87% more bookings across TourRadar’s operators since 2019, while safaris in Tanzania and Kenya also saw notable upticks.
Backroads’ bookings for active African safaris for 2024 are nearly double 2023 numbers, while African adventure specialists Adventure Out Loud’s safari, gorilla and chimp tours are growing in popularity.
With its diverse landscape just ripe for exploration and the chance to get up close and personal with the Big Five, it’s no wonder that Africa is on many bucket lists.
5. Hitting the road
Roadtrips offer the ultimate freedom, and at a fraction of the cost of an overseas trip, which is why more Australians than ever are packing their 4WDs and camper vans to explore their own backyard.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s National Visitor Economy Report shows that Aussies took a total of 15.2 million overnight caravan and camping trips last year – a figure that exceeds the pre-COVID numbers by 9%.
According to Turo’s Summer Road Trip 2024 report, 54% of Aussies surveyed said they go on a driving holiday/road trip to enjoy new and unique experiences, and 38% want to explore nature’s wonders.
The opportunities are endless for self-driving adventurers, with many heading to the Red Centre to immerse themselves in authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences and witness the wonder of the outback.
6. Adventure for all
You needn’t be young and fit to embark on an adventure travel experience – in fact, there is a much wider demographic flooding the segment now, from multi-gen families to elderly solo travellers.
“Age does not discriminate here,” Avery emphasises.
There is a rising interest among older ‘actives’ in slower-paced tours, she explains. There’s walking the ancient routes in Europe, like the Camino de Santiago; staying overnight on an operational sheep station in New Zealand; hiking the Southern Alps; or enjoying a cycling trip in Bolivia.
Taiaroa has also observed this trend, noting most of her business’ customers are aged 55-65 years.
“They have high disposable income, or are retired, they want to make the most of the time they have left to travel, and they are taking one or more high-end trips each year,” he says.
7. Flipping holiday destinations on their head
Saudi, Afghanistan, Iraq and Sierra Leone. Former war zones…and possibly, your next holiday destination.
According to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer website, the Middle East is seeing the strongest relative growth of all continents, with international arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 36%, and Africa welcoming 5% more arrivals in Q1 of 2024 than in Q1 of 2019.
“Many travellers are drawn to these destinations to experience the aftermath of conflict and to gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and resilience of the local people,” says David Smythe, Director at Forward Travel consultancy.
