Former no-go zones attract adventure travellers

Former no-go zones attract adventure travellers
By admin


Destinations once considered “no-go zones” are seeing a spike in popularity, according to Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures and Geckos Adventures.

Places once thought of as dangerous such as Iran, Colombia, Central America and West Africa, are shedding their bad reputations resulting in a surge in sales in recent years.

For example, Peregrine has 84 travellers booked for Iran itineraries in 2014 compared with 49 in 2013.

“Relations between Iran and the West have softened dramatically, which would explain why a trickle of Western travellers has now grown into an ever-widening torrent,” Intrepid Group Middle East destination manager Pete Miers said.

Central America has reported a 32% and 49% growth for Intrepid and Peregrine trips respectively year on year. Colombia has also peformed well with Intrepid developing three new itineraries in the destination this year.

Meanwhile, Peregrine has added an itinerary through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, along with a new Expedition Algeria tour.

“Algeria has been off the map for mainstream tourists for 20 years or so, after a civil war during the 1990s rendered it off-limits,” Miers said.

“Now, the majority of the country is quite safe to return to and presents a chance for even the most-travelled to get in early and see a country that has not experienced huge tourist developments and commercialisation neighbouring countries have undergone”.

With seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, the destination has the potential to become the "next Sri Lanka or Burma", according to Miers.

“We are aiming to demystify some of the associations these countries have with being unsafe because they are immensely rewarding for travellers who want a true off-the-tourist-map experience,” he said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]