The adventure travel landscape has changed in recent years thanks in part to global events like Covid-19 and a shift in experience priorities for many travelers. Off-the-beaten-path destinations, more authentic experiences, and trips tailored to your preferences offer unique adventures for a more discerning travel demographic looking to explore beyond cookie-cutter tourist itineraries.
Growth of the adventure tourism industry generates new travel opportunities
Adventure tourism often focuses on visiting unique sites and activities like hiking, biking, and other activities to highlight the best, often unseen, side of destinations. Local guides and residents make experiences authentic by sharing their knowledge and perspectives.
Despite global travel disruptions over the past five years, the adventure travel industry is expected to grow 19.5% annually, according to a study by Allied market research. As a result, companies like G Adventures and Intrepid Travel have positioned themselves to become adventure tourism giants by offering immersive, small-group adventure travel to destinations around the world.
At sea, the cruise industry has also taken notice of this trend. In recent years, cruise lines have begun offering more personalized adventure travel experiences onboard and at exclusive ports of call.
The rise of sustainable tourism
Travelers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly travel. Reservation.com mentioned in their 2023 Report that sustainable travel is important to 80% of people.
Noting this trend, several adventure travel companies are making it easier to plan responsible, eco-friendly tourism. Many now have sustainability initiatives that can either offset the impact of your travels or minimize the carbon footprint generated from the start.
Responsible travel with leading adventure companies
Well known in the industry for their exciting trips with local guides, G Adventures and Intrepid travel have also set high standards for responsible travel with their initiatives.
- Respect for local communities and environments: Through its G for Good program, G Adventures helps travelers respectfully engage with local communities. They patronize local businesses to keep tourism dollars in the community.
- Environmental Restoration Efforts: G Adventures' Trees for Days program plants a tree for each day of its clients' travelers. To date, they have planted more than 1.8 million trees to help offset the environmental impact of global travel.
- Giving back to communities: Intrepid Travel launched the Intrepid Foundation to support the communities in which they operate. They fund education, employment and medical care in international communities.
Comparing G Adventures and Intrepid Travel As part of their responsible travel initiatives, both companies have demonstrated an ever-evolving attitude aimed at respecting and benefiting local people, cultures, economies and the environment. More and more global companies are taking note and also integrating these initiatives into their travel and experience goals.
Adventure travel that reduces carbon emissions
As more and more travelers strive to reduce their environmental impact, travel companies are rising to the challenge. G Adventures is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. By 2050, they want to achieve net zero carbon emissions from their travels. Intrepid Travel already offsets all carbon emissions from its travel by purchasing carbon credits associated with six key international projects.
Cruise lines are also working to be more environmentally friendly. Carnival, the largest cruise line, is striving to be carbon neutral by 2050. It has launched ships running on liquefied natural gas and is developing systems to save energy on board. Royal Caribbean has also championed its environmental responsibility, notably with its latest addition, the Icon of the Seas, which runs on liquefied natural gas, processes its own waste and produces its own water.
How technology pushed adventure travel
The increasing availability of WiFi and cellular coverage, even in the most remote locations, is changing the way people move. Some say being connected is a modern advantage, while others feel it takes away the raw essence of being in a remote place. Unless you're traveling to extremely remote places, the days of completely disconnecting from civilization are long gone. Even on remote Himalayan peaks, you can record your adventures via photo and video and share them live with everyone at home.
With the power to inspire and educate, this instant social sharing has pushed the boundaries of travel. Remote and previously unknown destinations now seem more accessible and feasible for less adventurous travelers.
Technology can also be used to create a more comfortable travel experience. For example, cruise lines are integrating revolutionary technologies into their ships. On the best carnival cruise shipsThe OceanMedallion program offers all passengers a small portable disk that pairs with their mobile applications and functions as:
- Door key
- Tap to pay card
- Family Member Locator
- Orientation
- Food Ordering System
Tailor adventure experiences to individual preferences
With so much social content generated online, modern adventure travelers are now looking to create more personalized itineraries that will set them apart and provide a more authentic experience at their destination.
Some adventure companies, like Intrepid Travel, with their tailor-made trips, allow you to create a completely personalized adventure trip. Others offer a wide variety of travel styles to suit different tastes, like multi-activity trips, twenty-something trips, train-focused trips, treasure huntsphotography trips, golden age trips and luxury trips, among others.
Even on a cruise, there are plenty of options for tailoring an itinerary to your preferences. This is especially true on larger, newer cruises like the Icon of the Seas with its seven swimming pools, the world's first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a casino and more than 40 restaurants and bars. With this focus on tailor-made adventures, cruising has grown in popularity, according to CBS Newswith passenger volume exceeding pre-pandemic figures since 2023. This year, the cruise industry is expected to reach a new high of $36 million, with spending on experiences increasing 65% since 2019.
You can further personalize your trip by researching things to do at your destination and going on your own. For example, if you are on a cruise or traveling in Mexico and are looking for things to do in Cozumelyou'll find dozens of activities, from beaches to snorkeling to food tours, tailored to different traveler demographics.
Explore beyond travel trends with modern adventure tourism
Travel has always been the ultimate way to explore new places and cultures, but the evolution of travel in recent years makes it even easier to personalize your adventures. New technologies, customizable adventures and a focus on sustainable and responsible travel mean that every trip will be a unique and authentic experience that can have a positive impact on the destination and the planet.
Norbert FigueroaGloboTreks.comis an architect and travel writer on a mission to visit all 195 UN-recognized countries and beyond. He shares his adventures and his passion for travel, architecture and cultures on his blog and his social networks.
