| Despite much negative talk about what seems to be | | | | who are dissatisfied with their current situation and |
| a now overused word, 'recession', the adventure | | | | negatively affected by the economic downturn are |
| travel and luxury travel sectors are fast growing | | | | looking for travel experiences that will inspire and |
| segments of the travel market. Regardless of this I | | | | invigorate them. Adventure travel is certainly |
| think many travel agents are still unsure how to | | | | personally rewarding and time spent in nature is a |
| approach this growing market. The term 'adventure | | | | remedy for dissatisfaction, frustration and boredom. |
| holiday' cries out for a personal service. After all my | | | | - Another reason also linked to the economic climate |
| perfect adventure might be your hell! The concept of | | | | is that adventure travel can now combine with |
| personal service is further complicated since many | | | | activities and voluntary work in local community |
| potential travellers often don't really know what they | | | | projects. This, together with the group one often |
| want out of an adventure travel experience. The | | | | travels with on an adventure travel experience can |
| solution? Know what adventure travel really is, search | | | | provide an opportunity to develop social experiences, |
| out what you want to do and dare I say it - 'be your | | | | new skills and knowledge which can relate to an |
| own travel agent'! | | | | individual's career often providing travellers with a |
| So, what exactly is adventure travel? | | | | competitive edge on their return. |
| There is still a preconceived idea that adventure | | | | And so to the final question - if travel agents are |
| holidays are solely about high impact active | | | | failing to provide the kind of personal service required |
| experiences such as battling white water rapids, rock | | | | for such an experience then how should you go |
| climbing or abseiling down a cliff face. This may be | | | | about an adventure travel experience? |
| true to a point but adventure travel goes much | | | | - The first thing you could do is practise. Allow |
| deeper than this and can encompass a huge range of | | | | yourself to go out and get lost! You'll be surprised |
| options with a cultural, wildlife and more easy going | | | | what you'll find out there when you don't plan |
| flavour. | | | | anything. |
| Adventure travels involve exploration or travel to | | | | - You can subscribe to outdoor adventure magazines |
| remote and more exotic destinations as opposed to | | | | and subscriber based newsletters to get a feel of |
| an experience exclusively for the adrenaline junkie. If | | | | what is out there, how it all works and what would |
| you intentionally step outside the box and choose to | | | | suit you. |
| go further afield, deliberately looking for new | | | | - The most effective tool you have is the web. |
| experiences in otherwise unfamiliar off-the-beaten | | | | There is so much information out there in cyber |
| track territories then adventure travel is in your | | | | space on the big wide world and how you can |
| heart. | | | | explore it! The whole point of 'adventure' travel is to |
| Many would wrongly associate adventure travels with | | | | have an 'adventure' so you could take the bull by the |
| 'roughing it' when in reality it can be about distinctive | | | | horns and plan your own adventure holiday by using |
| accommodation and surroundings that reflect the | | | | the growing number of information portals (like the |
| locality and culture, something that is comfortable and | | | | Best of Zambia) that aim to give you everything you |
| character driven as opposed to opulent style and | | | | need to provide yourself with your own personal |
| luxury. | | | | service. |
| Adventure travel can offer rest and relaxation, | | | | - Finally, if that thought is way too scary then there |
| stimulation and variety, inspiration and well earned | | | | are a number of top quality adventure travel tour |
| treats as well as high quality and safe expedition | | | | operators who can help you - and they are not your |
| environments for family trips. | | | | standard high street travel agents who usually only |
| So why is the adventure travel market expanding? | | | | provide off the shelf, over done and commercialised |
| - Escapism is a key factor! More and more people | | | | experiences. |