Gap in the Market Volume 3 - Adventure Travel

What is adventure travel and why is it so popular?

Adventure travel is one of those broad sectors, comparable in size with responsible tourism. Unlike responsible travel though, there is an element of subjectivity to what constitutes an adventure.

Some people might find a night of international cheese tasting a little adventurous, for example. But for the sake of this blog post, we'll assume that this sector revolves around experiences that get your heart racing. So anything from water sports holidays to mountain climbing, base jumping.

To get you in the mood, here's some incredible footage of a pretty spectacular destination for adventure travel, Norway.

So why has adventure travel proved so popular in recent years?...

For many of the world´s billions of tourists, adventure travel has become a focal point of the tourism experience. Even for those that don't holiday exclusively to enjoy those short bursts of adrenaline, many trips will involve moments of adventure and excitement.

In an increasingly globalised world, travellers want to enjoy something authentic, something memorable. So it's easy to see why adventure tourism is a sector of high growth and high demand. What many want is a holiday with a point; sitting mindlessly on the beach, though great for the tan, is not enough to stimulate many travellers.

The result is a huge amount of potential opportunities and activities, adding value to the experience of tourists who can learn and interact with locals and nature while having a great time.

There are also upsides for companies and destinations. For starters, many forms of adventure travel aren't seasonal. The summer sun isn't relied upon so heavily, so operators can appeal to visitors outside of peak season. Adventure travel also tends to highlight the best assets of any destination, both natural and cultural. This relationship between travellers and their environment is key to promoting responsible, sustainable tourism.

There's also a physiological argument at play here. Adrenaline is widely considered to be a drug like any other. This means that adventure tourism could literally be seen as an addiction. In other words, adventure travellers are a committed bunch. They are also resilient and willing to try new things.

The numbers: Is adventure tourism a viable business opportunity?

Adventure tourism attracts high-value customers

There's no doubt that adventure tourists are willing to pay top dollar for the finest, most exciting experiences. According to a report by Skift, adventure operators have reported an average of ,000 spent person, with an average trip length of eight days. Boom! Jumping out of planes ain't cheap you know.

With that little statistical nugget in mind, let's take a closer look at the numbers in this sector. Last year (2015) the adventure travel sector alone grew by around 23%, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). ATTA's research suggests that adventure tourism is worth around 3 billion a year worldwide, and is yet to be fully tapped by agents.

 

What does the future hold for adventure tourism?

• The World Tourism Association, the UNWTO, predicts that there will be 1.8 billion arrivals globally by 2030. The growth of international tourism arrivals in emerging economies will rise at double the pace of developed nations.
• Active travellers are leading the way - These days, the ageing process is something that nobody wants to stare in the face. This results in the pursuit of fitness as a lifestyle. Along with Gen Xers and millennials, travellers who are 50+ are keener than ever to pursue the kinds of activities often seen as a bit on the wild side.
• Travellers will need less help than before - Customised itineraries are becoming increasingly popular.
• Soft adventure travel is a thing - Remember earlier when we mentioned that some people's idea of an adventurous evening involves tasting exotic cheeses? Well, it turns out that there's a mellower category in this sector, which can include anything from walking and biking tours to sightseeing and boating. Don't fancy jumping off a cliff? That's fine, there are other ways to get involved.

The growth pattern in adventure travel is extremely high. It’s because people want more from their vacation, they want something transformative, they want it to be memorable.” - Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)

Food for thought

Adventure travel is fairly unique, in that the characteristics that drive people toward it also tend to drive them away from traditional agencies.

Think about it for a second. If you're into adventure travel, you're probably pretty open to new things, confident and ready for a challenge. These qualities go hand in hand with seeking adventure independently and, according to ATTA vice president of marketing and communications Casey Hanisko, thinking they “can just do it all themselves”.

According to research, adventurous folk will spend an average of 40 hours researching a trip, with 69% of adventure travellers research and plan their journeys online. This is where the gap is. This is where agencies can come in. If you can prove a respectable source of information and a one-stop-shop for bookings and local, specialist knowledge, your agency will quickly be on to a winner.

It's also true that many adventurous activities require specialist and expensive equipment. Shouting loud that you can offer these for competitive prices is a great way to attract tourists who might eventually want to book activities with you as well.

So what has Travelshift got to do with all of this?

Just in case you didn't know by now, Travelshift software provides you with the platform and the tools you need to build a successful travel marketplace. Our unique solution has been tried and tested in Iceland, where we have successfully built the country's most popular travel services provider from a standing start.

With proprietary SEO technology, a ready-made community platform to boost your content marketing efforts, and full localisation capabilities, it's fair to say that we've done all the hard work for you. All that's left is to choose your travel niche, populate your marketplace with traders and watch the money roll in. At Travelshift we're here to help you shout louder than the big boys in the travel industry. Get in touch today to find out more.