Travellers are increasingly looking beyond the usual tourist hotspots, with new research from Intrepid Travel finding that 81% want to explore places not typically seen on social media.
The tour operator is highlighting a few winter destinations that it claims are a little more ‘unusual’. The data also highlights a desire for group tours, with 48% saying ease of planning is more important than it was a year ago, and 86% saying local guides give them the confidence to take more complex trips.
Intrepid Travel ANZ md Brett Mitchell says places like Central Asia, Borneo and South Korea, all of which are seeing significant rises in demand year-on-year, offer ‘incredible cultural and natural experiences’, but can be more complex to plan independently.
“That’s where small group travel really comes into its own, making these destinations more accessible while supporting local communities along the way.”
Among the tours to the aforementioned destinations that still have availability this winter is the 17-day Central Asia Explorer, through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which includes the Issyk-Kul and Song-Kul lakes, the Tien Shan mountains and the ruins of Panjakent. Prices start from $5672pp.
In Borneo, agents can recommend the 11-day Sabah Adventure taking clients into the jungle to search for wildlife like orangutangs and pygmy elephants, with a sunrise hike up Mt Kinabalu also featured. Prices are from $3648pp.
Intrepid’s eight-day South Korea Real Food Adventure is also spotlighted, a culinary journey exploring Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju and Jeonju. Prices are from $5088pp. See more on these trips HERE.
