The Top 10 Active Travel Trends for 2024: Backroads
We joined 14 new friends on a biking river cruise with Backroads in Bordeaux, France. It was one of our most rewarding trips.
Backroads, our favorite active travel company, has identified its Top 10 active travel trends for 2024. Based on early bookings, the company says that Biking, Walking and Hiking and Multi-Adventure activities are equally popular.
For a while now, we have been noticing that travelers want more adventurous outdoor experiences, and Backroads is stepping in to offer more choices in more destinations for all kinds of travelers.
Backroads Top Active Travel Trends for 2024
1. Taking Women-Only Trips
When Backroads launched Women’s Adventures in August 2023 with Walking & Hiking trips, they were in such demand that they sold out quickly, prompting the company to add additional destinations as well as Biking and Multi-Adventure tours to keep up with the strong interest.
Visit exciting exotic destinations on the “Finland Northern Lights Walking & Hiking Tour” or “Bhutan Walking & Hiking Tour,” for examples.
2. Picking E-Bikes and Easygoing Travel
The use of electric-assist bikes continues to grow in popularity since Backroads introduced their custom-designed e-bikes in 2013. Backroads also offers dedicated e-bike tours as part of its Dolce Tempo collection, which was designed to be enjoyed at a more easygoing pace. Backroads Dolce Tempo itineraries are attracting more travelers who are new to active travel or looking for additional downtime for spa treatments, shopping or other individual interests and activities.
3. Embarking on a Pilgrimage
People seeking active journeys are being drawn to the world’s traditional pilgrimage routes. Spain and Portugal’s Camino de Santiago remain bucket-list destinations, and Backroads is excited to unveil a new Taste of Camino de Santiago Bike Tour in 2024 to complement its popular Walking & Hiking, Dolce Tempo and Women’s Adventure trips in the region.
4. Exploring Norway’s Islands and Fjords
Norway tops many 2024 travel destination lists as travelers want to experience the country’s spirit of community, beautiful and accessible natural landscape and outdoor lifestyle. Bookings reveal that Backroads travelers are eager to explore Norway’s Fjords and the Lofoten Islands. In fact, all Northern Europe trips are popular, with a surge in bookings for Biking, Walking & Hiking and Multi-Adventure tours in the region.
5. Joining Family for Big Adventures
An increasing number of families are discovering that active travel is a way to connect, have fun and explore the world together, and that trend is reflected in the growth of Backroads Family Trips offering – especially for families with college-age children. Backroads is the only active-travel company to run Family Trips designed for three distinct age groups: Families with Teens and Kids (best for ages 9 and older), Families with Older Teens and 20s (one or more kids age 17-plus) and Families with Young Adults 20s and Beyond (one or more kids age 20-plus).
6. Cruising the Oceans and Rivers
Backroads pioneered a new way to cruise, and travelers have discovered that exploring actively while living aboard a luxurious small ocean or river ship is a great way to see more and cover great distances. You can unpack only once and get all the benefits of an active Backroads vacation while cruising some of the world’s most beautiful rivers and oceans.
We have enjoyed amazing active voyages with Backroads on the Danube River, around New Zealand and most recently in Bordeaux on an active biking river cruise, staying on the luxury ship AmaDolce from AmaWaterways (video of our voyage above).
7. Booking Early
The trend of booking future travel earlier than what used to be the norm started post-pandemic and continues with 2024 bookings. Backroads guests are reserving their 2024 trips early to take advantage of the best selection and availability. Nearly 40 percent of Backroads 2024 bookings were arranged by the end of 2023.
8. Going Private
Whether it’s a group of friends, a corporate retreat or multiple generations of a family, going private is more popular than ever and Backroads makes it easier than any other travel company. Taking over an existing scheduled Backroads departure allows for a turnkey yet flexible and personal experience for everyone.
9. Traveling During Shoulder Season
Backroads is seeing a bigger boom in travel earlier in the spring and even later in the fall than before as travelers look to beat the summer crowds when kids are back at school, enjoy more temperate weather and get better deals on airfare. The company has added more active adventures in the 2024 shoulder season to keep up with demand.
10. Trekking Hut-to-Hut
Backroads has seen a surge in interest for “hut-to-hut" hiking trips with people wanting to travel under their own power and at their own pace without transportation to move between locations. These trips are a chance to be fully immersed in nature on challenging hikes by day, with unique lodge experiences each night. Backroads’ hut-to-hut or lodge-to-lodge trips in the Dolomites, Peru, Nepal, the Pyrenees and the Italian & Swiss Alps are in high demand for the coming year.
“In 1979, Backroads essentially set the trend for active adventure travel, and 2024 is no different,” said Tom Hale, Backroads founder, president and CEO. “Backroads has always been about giving guests the most flexibility and choice when they’re on vacation, and the trends we’re seeing for 2024, from Women’s Adventures to e-bikes and family travel, offer something for every type of active traveler with challenging bike rides and hikes to easygoing Dolce Tempo trips.
“So now, more than ever, is the time to book your next active adventure.”