Exclusive: World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari talks major trends in adventure travel

Exclusive: World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari talks major trends in adventure travel

Let’s face it: adventure travel is taking over the world right now. But unlike other forms of world domination, this one is for the better.

Recent research has shown just how diverse the face of adventure travel really is, and how its definitions are continuously changing to become a more inclusive and rejuvenating experience.

Read more: Travel Trends: The changing nature of adventure travel 

World Expeditions recently noted a whole range of new and continuing travel trends they used to shape their new Africa offerings.

The adventure travel company already have a long history in evolving the concept of what’s possible in an African adventure for its travellers, having pioneered the first commercial treks of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Remote Northern Circuit and Shira Routes.

To find out more about what’s going on in the world of adventure travel and what other trends we should be looking out for, we sat down with World Expeditions Travel Group CEO, Sue Badyari.

Badyari told us the standout trend this year is flexibility of choice.

“Our customers favour doing something less mainstream. So our focus on flexibility really appeals to them,” she told us.

“People like to mix and match activities.  In Africa, this might mean combining a Kilimanjaro trek with relaxing in Zanzibar.  It’s about finding a balance between roughing it and something more high end so that you balance an Inca Trail trek with a few days in a quality hotel in Cusco.

“So many of us are time-starved, and it’s important that people can customise their trips to cover everything they want out of their holiday.”

Another trend that has caught Badyari’s attention is that travellers are SUPER keen to know how big their travel footprint is. So they love that World Expeditions practices the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, encouraging travellers to take only photos and leave only footprints:

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimise Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors

“A lot of people are also interested in animal welfare, so it’s comforting for travellers to know about our Animal Welfare Code of Conduct that we developed with World Animal Protection,” Badyari said. You can read all about their stance on animal tourism and the 10 steps to being an animal-friendly traveller here.

“We also work closely with local communities to make sure travellers tourism dollars are going to the right place.”

These values go hand in hand with some of the MANY reasons more and more travellers are choosing adventure travel.

Badyari said the connection to nature offered through adventure travel is really important to many travellers.

“Adventure travel gives them the opportunity to disconnect from the day to day and the overpowering reach of social media and technology.

“It’s also a way to ensure your tourist dollars are going to the right place, lots of adventure travel trips are immersive and involve lots of interaction with local communities so it’s important to travellers to know their money is going back into these communities.

“Many travellers are surprised to learn how much of their trip cost goes back to local communities – buying equipment, food and transport locally and using local guides wherever possible, thereby creating employment.”

Another benefit is being around like-minded people.

“Finding that connection with your tribe. People form lifelong friendships on our treks and tours. We’ve even had travellers getting married after meeting on one of our trips,” Badyari told us.

We asked Badyari, who is herself a seasoned adventure traveller, why she can’t get enough of it.

“It’s incredibly rejuvenating for your mind, body and soul.”

“[You] return to the daily grind feeling recharged and renewed. It gives a fresh perspective.”

Latest News

  • Hotels
  • Luxury

Accor announces the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel and residences

Accor has announced the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences, a landmark luxury development set to bring Sofitel’s French elegance to the highlands of Northern Vietnam. The project is a combination of 176 rooms and 436 branded residences. It is expected to open its doors in 2030, making another milestone in the expansion of […]

  • Events

ICC Sydney celebrates 100 events in record-breaking year

International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, is set to break the record for number of live events in a single year with 100 shows. The James Blunt concert taking place on 23 November marks the venue’s 100th live entertainment event in a single year. To celebrate this historic achievement, ICC Sydney is giving […]

  • Travel Agents

Last chance to win Globus family of brands’ $1K a Day Giveaway

Agents are reminded they can still enter an unmissable giveaway by making a deposited booking with Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways for departures in 2025. The trade incentive will remain open to agents until 30 November. To take advantage of the offer, agents simply need to make a deposited booking with either Avalon Waterways, Globus […]

  • Events

Intrepid Travel champions responsible business at UN Global Compact Sustainability Event

Intrepid Travel championed the agenda for responsible business at the United Nations Global Compact’s UNiting Business Live Australia conference this week. During her visit to Australia, UN Global Compact assistant secretary-general, Sanda Ojiambo, met with Intrepid CEO James Thornton, where they discussed the future of sustainable practices in the travel industry. Thornton and Ojiambo discussed […]

  • Hotels

Fusion launches GLOW Bangkok Riverside

Fusion Hotel Group has opened GLOW Bangkok Riverside, a new hotel overlooking the Thai capital’s Chaophraya River from the city’s Dusit district. The modern 5-storey property features 126 rooms and suites, ranging from the Superior Room at 19-22sqm to the 40sqm River Suite. All rooms have either king-sized or twin beds, and are tastefully decorated […]

  • Hotels

Nesuto Apartment Hotels launches summer secret offers

Nesuto Hotels and Apartments has launched its summer campaign with a 25 per cent off discount across its 13 neighbourhood properties across Australia and New Zealand. Nesuto’s “unveil summer’s best kept secrets” campaign offer is valid for bookings made from 1 November 2024 until 30 March 2025, for stays until 30 June 2025. In addition […]

  • Aviation
  • Travel Agents

ATAC’s signs exclusive deal with Helloworld’s Air Tickets for enhanced air consolidation services 

Australian Travel Agents Co-operative (ATAC) has appointed Helloworld Travel’s Air Tickets as its sole and exclusive air consolidator following comprehensive market assessment on best value for its members. ATAC chairman Jack Taylor said that the appointment, effective 1 January 2025, reflects the co-operative’s commitment to securing the best value for all members. “ATAC has ambitious […]