Intrepid Travel, which launched a programme of domestic trips during the pandemic, said it is still seeing good demand for its walking and cycling trips in the UK. “Female solo travellers, in particular, are really coming through [for this product],” said Joanna Reeve, head of business development and partnerships.
Reeve was speaking at the Adventure Travel Networking conference in London last week, where dozens of adventure suppliers got together for two days of panel sessions and networking opportunities for the first time in two years.
“The appeal of the ‘bucket list in your own backyard’ that grew during the pandemic, like walking the Jurassic coast or Cornish coast, is still there,” she explained. “Travelling with like-minded people in a safe environment, with a company you can trust, is an over-riding trend.”
She added that taking a walking trip in the UK had also been a “gateway” to customers then having the confidence to book one of Europe’s classic walking trips.
Will Cairns, director of Active England Tours, said there were swathes of the United Kingdom that are still undiscovered. “Last July I went walking in College Valley in Northumberland, which was as beautiful as the Lake District, yet I only saw three other people,” he noted.
“Yes, people will be travelling more freely this year, but they might take two or three holidays in a year; we want [England] to be part of that mix.”
Fiona Marshall, product team lead for Macs Adventure, said domestic trips were still booming for her brand, and that the products on offer have expanded significantly. “The variety of experiences you can have in the UK is widening, with things like walking with llamas, and amazing bushcraft activities,” she pointed out. “The adventure umbrella is softening”.
