The Evolution of Adventure Travel Trends

Adventure travel is nothing new, but its definition expands with each passing year to include a wider variety of destinations and activities, according to a new report from the Adventure Travel Trade Association.

After completing an extensive adventure travel survey in 2006, the association conducted a follow-up study in 2016 to compare data and see how adventure travel changed in 10 years. The most significant change over the decade was the destinations of interest. In the 2016 survey, the top five destinations were New Zealand, Australia, South America, South Pacific and Western Europe. In the 2006 study, the top choice by far was North America. Not only did New Zealand and Australia take over as the most popular adventure destinations, but South America moved from ranking seventh in 2006 to third in 2016.

Adventure activities also evolved. In 2016, top activities included hiking, backpacking, trekking and sea and whitewater kayaking and rafting — all somewhat easier activities than those listed in 2006, including mountain climbing, rafting and canoeing. This doesn’t necessarily mean travelers are getting lazy, but rather adventure travel becomes more democratized over time, appealing to more travelers with different priorities.

What’s motivating adventure travelers? The most important components, according to the 2016 survey, are being in a natural environment (94.2 percent), learning, meaningful human experiences and experiencing a new culture. While many of the motivating factors remain the same since 2006, a notable shift lies in the prioritization of mental health while traveling.

Looking ahead to 2018, G Adventures predicts top destinations for adventure travel based on infrastructure improvements, museum openings, sporting events and overall travel trends. The list includes Egypt, Sri Lanka, Russia, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Morocco, Bolivia, Hawai’i and Oman.