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Writer's pictureBrent MacGillivray

The Rise of Experiential Travel


Experiential travel, a trend that has been steadily gaining momentum in recent years, is transforming the way people approach vacations. It's no longer just about visiting famous landmarks or relaxing on a beach; it's about immersing oneself in the local culture, engaging in unique activities, and creating lasting memories.




What is Experiential Travel?

Experiential travel, also known as immersion travel, is a form of tourism where travelers seek out authentic experiences that allow them to connect with the local people, culture, and environment. This could involve anything from learning a traditional craft to volunteering in a community project to simply wandering off the beaten path and exploring hidden gems.


Why is Experiential Travel on the Rise?

There are several factors driving the popularity of experiential travel:

  • Desire for Authenticity:Travelers are increasingly seeking authentic experiences that allow them to connect with the places they visit on a deeper level. They want to escape the tourist traps and discover the hidden gems that only locals know about.

  • Shift in Values: There's a growing emphasis on personal growth and self-discovery, and experiential travel provides an opportunity for travelers to learn new skills, challenge themselves, and gain a broader perspective on the world.

  • Social Media Influence: Social media platforms like Instagram have played a significant role in promoting experiential travel by showcasing unique and inspiring experiences from around the globe.

Types of Experiential Travel

Experiential travel encompasses a wide range of activities and interests, including:

  • Cultural Immersion:This could involve learning a new language, participating in a traditional ceremony, or simply spending time with locals and learning about their way of life.

  • Adventure Travel:From hiking and biking to rock climbing and white-water rafting, adventure travel offers a chance to push personal boundaries and experience the thrill of the great outdoors.

  • Volunteering:Many travelers are choosing to combine their vacations with volunteering opportunities, allowing them to give back to the communities they visit and make a positive impact.

  • Culinary Tourism:Food is an integral part of any culture, and culinary tourism provides an opportunity to explore a destination's cuisine through cooking classes, food tours, and visits to local markets.


The Benefits of Experiential Travel

Experiential travel offers numerous benefits for both travelers and the communities they visit:

  • Personal Growth: It allows travelers to step outside their comfort zones, learn new skills, and gain a broader perspective on the world.

  • Cultural Understanding: It fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, breaking down stereotypes and promoting empathy.

  • Economic Impact: It supports local businesses and communities, providing them with a sustainable source of income.

  • Environmental Awareness: It encourages travelers to become more aware of the environment and their impact on it.


The Future of Experiential Travel

As travelers continue to seek out authentic and meaningful experiences, experiential travel is poised to become even more popular in the years to come. With a growing focus on sustainability and responsible tourism, we can expect to see more innovative and impactful experiential travel offerings emerge, creating a win-win situation for both travelers and the communities they visit.


WHERE TO GO...


ALBORG, DENMARK

It rates as Denmark’s fourth-largest city, with around 120,000 residents, but out-of-the-way Ålborg might seem an unlikely international-travel hub. That's not stopping Scandinavian Airlines, which is betting on the compact, alluring city with newly launched flights from Newark Liberty International, which will run three times a week from April through October. The cobbled streets of Ålborg’s old town are lined with half-timbered houses and pastel exteriors; the attractively refurbished waterfront — where you’ll find the newly renovated Pier 5 Hotel — is another walkable district. The city’s rich cultural scene includes a modern art museum, an architecture center, and, a short drive away, Regan Vest, a Cold War museum that opened in a former bunker in February 2023. Indeed, Ålborg is a gateway to the wider region of North Jutland, with its dramatic coastline around the town of Skagen, long a draw to Danish artists; windswept dunes of Thy National Park; and 2,000-year-old Viking ring fortresses which have, at long last, been collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Cartagena, Colombia

A perennially hot destination, Colombia is coming into its own as a luxury escape these days, thanks to a ton of excitement in and around Cartagena, on the country’s Caribbean coast. In 2023, the city welcomed Casa Pestagua, a 16-room boutique hotel within a restored 17th-century building, in the historic center. Now, the same owners are working to open bungalows on Isla Barú, a popular day-trip spot, before the end of 2023. Sustainability minded travelers can find their fit at Blue Apple Beach, an eco-hotel on Tierra Bomba Island, just off the coast, that’s B Corp certified and generates half its power from solar, as T+L recently reported. In 2024, Disney's “Encanto”-themed tour of Colombia will debut, shining more light on Cartagena, one of the many stops on the itinerary. And there’s even more growth in the pipeline: Delta Air Lines is adding new nonstop flights to Cartagena from Atlanta in December 2023, a Four Seasons hotel is on the horizon, and the nation is investing in an airport expansion that will serve an ever-increasing number of visitors.


Rajasthan, India

India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan, with its wealth of iconic hotels and cultural attractions, is one of the best-known among U.S. travelers. It also promises new delights in the coming year, with several new addresses in Jaipur worth planning a trip around. There's Villa Palladio, a delightful nine-room hotel on the outskirts of town created by the Swiss-Dutch team behind Bar Palladio, an Instagram favorite in the city center. The Johri is a beautifully designed five-room property with a chic cocktail bar and organic vegetarian restaurant on the ground level, tucked away in a heritage townhouse in Jaipur's Old Town. Meanwhile, the Anantara hospitality group is set to launch its first-ever property in India next year. The 150-room, new-build Anantara Jaipur Hotel is designed with India's ballooning market for destination weddings in mind: it will have event facilities that can accommodate as many as 2,500 guests. In the meantime, the city and wider region are becoming more accessible than ever, thanks to a new six-lane expressway that connects Jaipur to New Delhi, a major hub for international flights.


There are so many possibilities, as for me, I'm off to Ecuador once again. Stay posted for my travel experiences in South America. Cheers, and have a happy hump day!


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