06 Feb 2014
Destinations that were once considered no-go zones or too remote are now beckoning adventurous travellers, as Australia's leading adventure travel operators - Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures and Geckos Adventures - report an increase in popularity for far-flung countries. And those who take on the challenge are rewarded with smaller crowds, some of the friendliest locals and authentic experiences.
Countries that have been considered dangerous are slowly shaking off their bad reputations, with small group tours in Iran, Colombia, Central America and West Africa having recently seen a surge in sales. Rather than being unsafe, these countries have become immensely rewarding for travellers who want a true off-the-tourist-map experience led by a local.
Intrepid have developed three new itineraries in Colombia this year after the country experienced high demand in 2013 and Central America trips have seen a 32% and 49% growth for Intrepid and Peregrine respectively year on year, with many trips in the region frequently booked out. Interest has increased in Ethiopia as well as for Peregrine's West African Kingdoms, which travels through Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo to Ghana.
Additional trips have just been added to Intrepid's Iran Adventure and Peregrine's Ancient Persia in Depth this year with most other departures sold out or selling fast. Peregrine has already exceeded last year's Iran trip bookings - a total of 49 travellers - with 84 travellers booked for 2014. This ever-widening torrent of Western travellers may be attributed to the improved relations between Iran and the West - last year's nuclear negotiations between the USA and Iran, and the election of the relatively moderate and liberal President Rouhani, has portrayed Iran as more of a friendly destination which is translating into a renewed tourism interest.
To satisfy the adventurous travellers appetite, Peregrine have added brand-new far-flung destinations to their 2014 programme, with the Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia trip having already sold out the two departures scheduled. A further two have just been added in May and September.
Interest has also been growing over Peregrine's new Expedition Algeria, a trip in Africa's largest country that boasts no less than seven UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. "Algeria's incredible Roman ruins and mosaics would be packed with tourists if they were in Europe, but after 20 years off the tourist map due to a civil war during the 1990s, you're likely to have them to yourself," said Steve Wroe, General Manager Peregrine Adventures. "The majority of the country is quite safe to return to and is the ultimate destination for experienced travellers to see a country that has not experienced huge tourist developments and commercialisation neighbouring countries have undergone.
"It's possible that Algeria has the potential to be the next Sri Lanka or Burma - two other countries that were also off-limits to most travellers and where tourism is now booming."
For further information on trips operating in these emerging destinations visit:
High-res images are available to download here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fgsobt2l61nk73c/knCVTxklc9
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Linardon
Australia & New Zealand PR Manager
amanda.linardon@intrepidtravel.com
+61 (0)481 009 149
