The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has released a new report, 20 Adventure Trends to Watch In 2018, providing a comprehensive look at the issues facing adventure travel businesses and destinations.

With 2018 shaping up to be another milestone year, the report considers the paradoxl that, in an increasingly unpredictable world, where natural disasters and terrorism hit major tourism destinations and where borders are tighter and nationalist rhetoric is stronger, tourism numbers continue to grow.

With tourism overall outpacing the growth of the global economy, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and tax revenues around the world, ATTA Chief Executive Shannon Stowell explains “our sector continues to grow and, along with it, the responsibilities of managing sustainable growth, protecting vulnerable communities, and safeguarding the planet’s most pristine places

“The ATTA is looking to ramp up several initiatives in 2018, including continued support of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund to support conservation organisations and AdventureEDU trainings to ensure tourism entrepreneurs on the front lines of business have the knowledge and tools they need to operate sustainably and deliver a strong conservation message to their guests. In addition, we will continue to put on events around the world to connect the industry to important resources, knowledge, and, of course, each other.”

ATTA is focusing on several initiatives in 2018, including an active commitment to conserve and preserve the natural environments in which the adventure travel industry thrives.

Research suggests that growth will continue, but tourism trends may fluctuate. As a result of crisis and shocks, some destinations will benefit more than others, and as democracy declines in some destinations, traveling to them may be a riskier proposition than before.

New technologies are impacting the adventure travel space. Blockchain seems to offer compelling opportunities for disintermediation, while bots and virtual reality becoming more sought after as marketing tools.

Examining traveller trends, research shows people are becoming more adventurous, seeking to be ‘temporary locals’ when they visit new places. The tendency to adopt slow travel means visitors are staying in destinations longer, and more people are venturing out by themselves, driving an upswing in solo offerings from adventure tourism providers.

On the supply side, the report predicts an increase in trail tourism, women-only itineraries, and an exploration into how to increase interest in winter products, which may help destinations smooth out visitors over the course of a year.

Finally, the report, which covers 20 trends across five chapters examines, trends facing adventure destinations. Both overtourism and undertourism are issues in various places, and holistic planning will be required to ensure adventure tourism growth is not only sustainable but also contributes to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Source
Australian Leisure Management