‘Organised adventures’ can help rebuild travel ‘in better way’

The boss of adventure booking platform TourRadar says the “organised adventures” sector can help travel to rebuild “in a better way”.

Travis Pittman, chief executive and co-founder at TourRadar, told delegates at the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) conference that he is trying to change perceptions of the sector and help the post-pandemic recovery to be more sustainable.

He explained how the sector has a very diverse offering – including tailor-made itineraries, group trips, family tours, cruises, self-guided holidays, private trips, small groups and more – but said: “We need to change perceptions, it’s a massive group.”

TourRadar has tried to bring the wide range of options together under one umbrella called “organised adventure”.

“It’s a bit of an oxymoron, how can an adventure be organised?” he commented.

But he said it offers a range of benefits, such as seamless logistics, high commissions, the personal touch of a guide and the chance for strangers to become friends.

Tours can also boost the economies of developing nations, and support local cultures, communities and the countryside, he added.

“Our goal as an industry should be to rebuild travel in a better way, by getting more people out of the main tourist hubs to experience themselves and the planet more meaningfully and sustainably through organised adventures,” he said.

Pittman told delegates about his recent cycling tour in Dolomites, which was adventurous – but all the elements were taken care of in advance, so he could just relax and avoid “decision fatigue”.

He also outlined technology innovations that “reduce customer friction”, creating real-time pricing, instant bookability, automatic invoicing and the opportunity for customers to input their own credit card details safely online themselves.