Did you know that international travel rapidly fell by 72% over the first ten months of 2020? It was the year our world was engulfed by the deadly pandemic that enforced border closures and affected our everyday lives and destination tourism, as countries allowed 900 million fewer international tourists compared to the same 10-month period in 2019.
Fast forward to today, we have the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots that have given a new life to tourism worldwide and have also enabled a surge in luxury adventure holidays. As people and travel companies adapt to the new normal, the world is taking the necessary safety measures to bring destination and adventure travel back to life.
The Popularity of Adventure Travel in the Post-Pandemic World
Here are four reasons why adventure travel continues to gain popularity in today’s post-pandemic world:
The Urge to Explore Nature & Wilderness
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, about 20% of the Earth’s population was experiencing COVID lockdowns. While the lockdowns halted everyday life, they allowed the Earth to become cleaner and wilder in areas where people stayed at home.
Even though this was a most welcome and refreshing change, many people felt trapped inside their homes. They felt a strong urge to explore wild, open spaces to shrug off their isolation. When the lockdown was lifted, many families and individuals worldwide went on luxury safari holidays and explored national parks in their countries.
The search for a semblance of peace, quiet, and relaxation became the norm as the world was continually bombarded with pandemic-related tragedies. With many people missing the outdoor world, many sought refuge in adventure holidays, such as hiking a trail, walking through a forest, going on a safari and climbing a mountain.
The Growth of Sustainable Travelling
In a comprehensive report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Oliver Wyman and WTTC highlighted four trends that will shape tourism in the post-pandemic world, and sustainability was one of them. From anti-racism movements and widespread unemployment to the restoration of natural habitats, the world has been re-energised to tackle environmental, social, and institutional sustainability. Moreover, the increased public awareness of poaching and wildlife markets has raised the advocacy for wildlife protection.
It has resulted in travellers becoming more conscious of how they travel. Many people are actively seeking a luxury travel company that specialises in travelling sustainably to minimise the impact of tourism on the planet. Adventure tourism befits this aim seamlessly with its low-impact itineraries and focuses on caring for nature, working with and supporting the local community, prioritising organic food, and using renewable energy. The focus is to rebuild tourism and move toward sustainable travel.
Safety in Small Groups
Even though we are currently living in a post-pandemic world, COVID-19 impacted how we interact with our loved ones. Thanks to social distancing becoming the norm, we missed interacting with our friends and family. However, people worldwide also learned the importance of health, hygiene, and being vaccinated, especially when travelling.
Many individuals and families continue to travel in smaller groups to maintain their safety and benefit from an authentic travelling experience that mass tourism cannot offer. They are seeking an unrushed, unhindered travel experience and looking to make more profound and impactful connections with nature and their small group of loved ones as they travel.
People Are Seeking Active Holidays
Many people experienced fatigue, cabin fever, and other problems that affected their general wellbeing while being stuck at home during COVID-19 lockdowns. The continued lockdowns also resulted in people developing unhealthy coping mechanisms and a sedentary lifestyle. While people kept themselves busy at home and exercised to remain healthy, they spent their lives indoors. It cannot beat the outdoors, fresh air, wilderness, and the liberating feeling of being one with nature.
Many tourists are actively planning outdoor travelling adventures and visiting luxury family holiday destinations to explore the outdoors with their loved ones. Whether it’s hiking a remote trail, kayaking under the glorious sun, mountain biking with a friend, or trekking a striking mountain, people are seeking outdoor activities to recharge their bodies post-pandemic and kill the stress they must have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Tourism took a significant hit during the pandemic, so now that the world is exploring a new normal post-COVID, adventure tourism is experiencing a surge in popularity. Tourists are planning conscious, sustainable, authentic, nature-centred adventures to explore the world with their loved ones.
Author Bio: Rhodri Andrews
Rhodri Andrews is the Head of Content at SevenTravel, a luxury travel company based in Mayfair, London, that specialises in once-in-a-lifetime experiences. SevenTravel is all about the kind of travel that forges deeper connections with the countries you visit, encouraging you to linger for longer with trips that last ten or more days. Rhodri manages all of SevenTravel’s content, bringing to life the countries, regions and unique tailor-made experiences its clients will discover as well as all the useful information SevenTravel clients need to know before they head off on a luxury holiday of a lifetime. He crafts content for all SevenTravel’s luxury holiday destinations, whether it’s the Arabian charm of Oman to the Amazon jungle of Peru and everything in between. Through his natural curiosity and passion for travel, he also brings SevenTravel’s one-of-a-kind experiences to life, from trekking through the Patagonian wilderness to exploring Morocco’s souks and medinas. Whether you’re a couple, honeymooners or a family embarking on an exciting luxury holiday, the experiences are crafted to suit your personal preferences.
