The need for downtime to unwind, concerns about overtourism and the desire to travel sustainably are the major influencers on adventure travel in 2019.
Concern about overtourism is convincing adventure travellers to avoid travel hotspots and seek out alternatives in lesser-known destinations; the desire to escape the frenetic pace of the modern lifestyle and the aspiration to maximize positive impact in the destinations we visit and are all shaping the future of adventure travel globally.
Quieter travel: Publicity about overtourism is encouraging more confident travellers to look beyond replicating what they may see on social media of friends’ travel. World Expeditions reports a significant increase in enquiries for the company’s range of exploratory expeditions in remote regions and in alternative treks in better-known destinations.
“We’ve been longtime advocates for the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ style of travel and we’re well-positioned to cater for this trend,” says World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari. “We’re finding that more confident travellers are less interested in replicating the travel experiences of others that they may see on social media and more interested in seeking out lesser-visited destinations and trails.”
Slow travel: A multi-day trek or a cycling journey allows travellers to switch off and immerse themselves in the natural landscape and puts them in touch with their senses in a way that is becoming a luxury for many people. World Expeditions’ vast selection of active adventures is designed to capture the essence of each region, with a focus on discovery, cultural immersion and personal achievement.
“It’s a case of travelling less and seeing more – rather than travelling more and seeing less – that is inspiring many people to undertake slow travel,” Ms Badyari said. “When your body is your vehicle and you are immersed in your surrounds, life slows down.”
Smarter travel: Ask anyone who has travelled on one of our active trips what makes a good trip an exceptional one and they’ll most certainly tell you: Their local guide. The first-hand knowledge of their home country, as well as meticulous training with experts who are widely-recognized in their field, adds a dimension to a trip that is not possible otherwise.
“By training and empowering local people, World Expeditions is able to provide positive employment opportunities and secure incomes while our travellers benefit through the authentic experience that local imparts.” Ms Badyari said. “We’re very proud of the calibre of our staff and guides.”
Greener travel: Being a Thoughtful Traveller and ensuring the places we visit are positively-impacted by our visit is a priority for many travellers. Furthermore, World Expeditions’ initiatives like the ’10 Pieces’ litter collection, Child Safe Tourism program and Animal Welfare Code of Conduct are all parts of a stronger commitment to minimize negative impacts and create a positive one.
“Sustainability sits at the core of World Expeditions’ adventure itineraries,” Ms Badyari said. “We have recently expanded our ’10 Pieces’ litter collection initiative in all our treks in Nepal and on litter ‘hotspots’ on mountain trails in Bhutan and Peru as well as our Mount Rinjani and Mount Kilimanjaro summit treks.”
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About World Expeditions: Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys. The company offers more than 500 stand-alone itineraries, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to take the ‘paths less travelled’. Always innovative, it was the first company to offer cycling holidays in India (1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980) and Tibet (1981). In 2011, it became the first (and remains the only) company to offer the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail. World Expeditions is an independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices around the world, including Ottawa, London and Sydney.