admin According to the 2019 Adventure Travel Trends Snapshot adventure travellers, are increasingly seeking out new and immersive experiences, cultural encounters, and soft adventure activities though that thrilling adrenaline rush and an opportunity to be pampered still entices them.
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has released its annual Industry Snapshot Report, 2019 which is broken into two documents: Adventure Travel Trends Snapshot and Adventure Travel Financial Snapshot.
Insights such as top-of-mind adventure destinations, average trip length, common operational practices, and more are revealed in The Adventure Travel Trends Snapshot and The Adventure Travel Financial Snapshot discloses complementary information highlighting the financial status of the industry.
As the industry continues its evolution to include more cultural and less technical adventure activities, 83% of survey respondents report their 2018 gross revenues surpassed 2017 gross revenues, and 59% expect a net profit increase for 2019. Thirty-five percent say the key factor driving the growth is new customers.
Regarding clientele, another notable finding in this year’s report indicates an increasing number of women traveling on their own. Responding tour operators noted 53% of their customer demographic is female, and 56% of their solo travellers are female. In 2018, 51% of tour operators’ solo travellers were female.
“Our report reveals findings that align with some of the current traveler behavior trends we are seeing in broader context. As the contemporary person seeks different opportunities for personal growth, how they choose to travel is influenced too,” said Milena Nikolova, the ATTA’s director of knowledge and Adventure EDU.
According to the surveys, customizable itineraries remain the most requested trip type, though remote destinations and trail experiences have jumped in popularity. Further, green/sustainable itineraries — trips that are intentionally and carefully designed to be environmentally sustainable, such as zero-waste or carbon-negative trips — are in high demand. Hiking/trekking/walking is once again the most popular activity requested by travellers, though cycling on electric bikes and culinary activities are also hot.
“Travel can enhance our identity in two ways,” Nikolova said. “First, it offers many opportunities for immersive, transformational, self-enhancing experiences that involve interacting with living cultures different from what we experience during everyday life — learning about new places and new lifestyles that enrich our world view. Second, it is about the impact we have on places and people. This is where the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable itineraries comes in as it makes people feel they are enjoying themselves and personally growing but also making a positive impact on places and people.”
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