Just like last year, people can’t wait to get out and see the world in 2023. And many travelers want to do that by pedaling their bikes, hiking through breathtaking landscapes, or paddling on a river. This is why active and adventure travel is a popular choice for visiting destinations near and far.
“Throughout the pandemic, as people have become active by walking, hiking, biking or on their peloton, more and more people want to keep this movement going even on vacation,” says Graeme Montgomery, brand director for luxury travel company Butterfield & Robinson. “Multi-asset trips (a mix of biking, hiking and other activities) are very popular, as people are looking for well-balanced itineraries that bring adventure, change the pace from day to day and highlight the best in the region. Think rafting in Northern Greece, camel riding in Morocco, horseback riding in Iceland or kayaking in Uruguay.”
As 2023 promises to be another banner year for travel, active and adventure tour operators are seeing some trends emerge. Here’s what to expect in the active travel space in 2023.
TOP TOUR OPERATORS: 14 Best Group Travel Agencies for Sightseeing Tours
1. Active and adventure travel will book up quickly
Active travel company Backroads has already seen a 60% increase in bookings over nine months for 2023 departures and the company expects to see its highest customer numbers in its 44-year history in 2023 The story is the same in many other travel agencies.
TRIPS FOR WOMEN ONLY: 9 Best Women-Only Travel Groups and Tour Operators
“2023 is moving fast,” says Heather Heverling, president of AdventureWomen, which offers more than 50 trips to more than 65 countries designed by and for women. “Customers are eagerly booking adventures and not just for travel in 2023; the excitement of 2024 is unfolding as well.”
2. Japan is about to have a great year
Many travelers were excited to return to Europe in 2022. For 2023, Japan is expected to be a hot destination as it welcomes visitors back after the pandemic. “As Japan has reopened, we’ve seen an influx of interest from people wanting to visit these super iconic places in Japan,” says Alexandria Sanchez, US consumer marketing manager at G Adventures, which offers a variety tours to explore the Asian country.
BRING THE KIDS:10 best travel agencies for family trips
Global tour operator Intrepid has relaunched 12 trips to Japan ranging from seven to 24 days. This includes its signature Japan Real Food Adventure to sample the country’s diverse cuisine and the Japan Tour: Hike, Bike and Kayak for travelers who want to see the island in an active way.
3. Immersive experiences will continue to have strong appeal
A standard bus tour or high-end cruise isn’t enough for many travelers. “They really want to get into the country and experience all there is to offer,” says Sanchez of G Adventures. “They want to try the food, they want to hear the language, they want to meet the people and see the faces behind the experience they’re having.”
EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS: 9 tips for choosing the best European tour for you
Travelers can definitely get that kind of immersion on G Adventures tours. And they can go even further with one of the company’s “local life” tours that give travelers a real sense of everyday life in destinations around the world.
4. Tour operators will continue to work to help protect the places they visit
As part of its partnership with NatureMetrics and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, adventure tour operator Exodus Travels recently launched 20 citizen science departures where travelers help collect environmental DNA samples for the eBioAtlas to monitor biodiversity around the world. The tours take participants to places like the Zambezi Valley and Vietnam, where they will help collect freshwater samples that provide clues about the species living in each ecosystem.
GO IT ALONE: 4 great companies for independent tours
At Intrepid, protecting the planet is a top concern. The company offers more than 40 alternative low-carbon tours where carbon-intensive activities have been replaced by more sustainable options like walking and cycling and short flights have been replaced by train or bus trips. other low-emission means of transport. Intrepid Premium Tours offer premium adventure travel that also incorporates sustainability. The new 10-Day Premium Alaska Tour, for example, includes low-emission rail travel, nature and conservation tours, and a stay at the sustainably built Talkeetna Lodge.
“The luxury tourism market is booming, as is the looming threat of climate change,” said Matt Berna, president, North America for Intrepid. “Creating a more sustainable premium travel product has been a key goal for Intrepid…(People are) willing to pay for premium travel that delivers an exceptional experience at great value, while by giving back to local communities and positively affecting the environment.”
The story continues below.
5. Drafting is optional, but not required
Hiking and camping can definitely be part of active travel and even family travel adventures. But if you want physical activity during the day and a comfortable bed at night, you can have it too. Escape Adventures conducts a range of biking and walking tours in the United States where travelers spend their nights in a tent. But on his new bike tour of Bentonville, Arkansas, private groups are staying at a company-owned luxury vacation rental. “We offer both ends of the spectrum and a lot in the middle,” says company co-founder Jared Fisher.
LUXURY CAMPSITE:10 Best Family Glamping Resorts in the USA
Travelers can also book active and adventure trips where they don’t have to travel every minute of the day. Backroads’ Dolce Tempo tours slow things down a bit, offering easy biking, walking, and multi-adventure trips to places like Switzerland, Napa Valley, Scotland, and U.S. national parks like Yellowstone and Zion.
And while traditional bicycles will always have their fans, e-bikes will continue to help travelers of all ages and abilities pedal through scenic destinations. “A lot of people are still concerned about fitness and don’t want to ride an e-bike,” says Fisher of Escape Adventures. “But they want to ride with their best friend who isn’t as fit. So it really opens the doors all around.”
6. Wellness will be on the wish list
G Adventures has seen growing interest in its wellness tours in places like Bali, Costa Rica and Iceland. “People want to have a life-changing experience,” Sanchez says. “They want to know more about themselves or are looking for wellness, active time, yoga or different things that promote mindfulness.”
HAVE A NICE TRIP: 7 immersive visits to France to do in 2023
“Adventure travel, focused on nature and the best of yourself, is a celebratory tool for embracing life’s changes,” says Heverling of AdventureWomen, which offers tours for breast cancer survivors. in collaboration with the iRise Above Foundation and Japan tours that explore the country’s ancient traditions. “At AdventureWomen, it’s less about age or athleticism and more about a state of mind…One of the reasons women book is to put us first with an emphasis on life experiences. The post-pandemic world reinforces how vital it is to live boldly.”
6 adventure travel and active tour trends for 2023 originally appeared on TourScoop.com.
More from TourScoop:
TourScoop.com covers group tours and tour operators with comprehensive tour operator reviews, tour route reviews, tour news, and travel tips and tricks tailored to guided travellers. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.