Safe travels

Adventure tourism has risen in its popularity over the past few years and the trend is likely to grow at a fast pace within the next three years. According to the Global Adventure Tourism Market 2016-2020 report published by consultancy firm Sandler Research, this segment of the tourism industry is anticipated to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 46 per cent by 2020. This is good news for the industry which generated USD7.88 trillion in 2015, as per the report.

Research is showing that people now prefer holidays focused around activities such as hiking, surfing, caving, skydiving, deep sea diving and other high octane activities rather than taking a cruise, regular sightseeing or shopping.

Kripa Hadani, Founder of I Love Adventures, the GCC-based partner for international adventure tourism agencies such as Exodus Travel, G Adventures, Intrepid Travel, Grand American Adventures & Trek America, says adventure tourism is definitely picking up as a strong trend in 2017. “In the last two years we have seen a tremendous interest in our trekking and cycling holidays. For instance, cycling is being hailed as the new ‘golf’, which is quite evident in the growing number of cyclists, tracks and cycling-based events being held in Dubai. Based on the demand, we provide cycling holidays to more than 80 destinations, offering a variety of levels from a leisure trip around a city on two wheels to more challenging cycling routes in Leh or Mont Ventoux, one of the Tour de France climbs. Interestingly, cycling holidays in India and Vietnam have become very popular with the expat population in Dubai.

“Apart from cycling, trekking in Nepal to the Everest base camp and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa are two of our best-selling walking holidays.  Fitness in general is a growing trend and these trips give you a fitness goal as you prepare for your trip as well as a tremendous sense of achievement when you finish. More and more people are seeking that personal sense of accomplishment,” she says.

Top choices

Hadani’s company has been operational for two years and offers a portfolio of more than 1,800 adventure trips to around 120 destinations. She says the popularity of these trips among people living in the UAE was initially limited to Western expats, who are more comfortable and familiar with an outdoorsy lifestyle. “This trend is now changing; we are gradually seeing a rise in interest amongst the Asian and Arab population.  And age is not a criteria, as we have holidays catering to young Millennials on a budget to more comfortable adventure trips, which are popular with people in their 40s, who are big on adventure but want more upgraded accommodation choices.”

Europe remains the top choice for adventure lovers. Some of the places, she predicts will be top choices for visitors from the UAE in 2017 include Slovenia in Europe. “It’s off the beaten track, visually stunning and offers physically challenging activities. Slovenia is one of Europe’s undiscovered countries. The northernmost province of the former Yugoslavia, this small but beautiful country offers the spectacular Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Lake and Bohinj. The natural landscape provide activities from gentle walks to tough weekend summits, cycling trails and multi-sport adventures such as kayaking, rafting and hydrospeeding. Other popular destinations for 2017 include Madagascar for its unique wildlife, Peru as well as Canada.”

The need for safety
One of the other trends riding on the popularity of these adventure trips is an awareness of the importance of safety especially since adventure travel comes with its own risks. And that’s where travel insurance steps in. In the past, most travelers have bought travel insurance only when it has been mandatory when procuring a visa. Things have changed, says Hadani. “Nobody wants to think about all the things that might go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. Emergency medical insurance covering any activities that you may be participating in during the trip is mandatory for our travellers. Our company has a tie-up with Tune Protect, a global travel insurance online facilitator which has partnerships with local insurance organizations in the region, ensuring our clients can easily avail one-time travel insurance at a reasonable price to cover their entire trip.

“Specifically the company’s Travel Assurance Platinum plan as well as the Adventure Plan covers emergency medical and travel inconvenience when embarking on an adventure journey. In the unfortunate circumstance of a mishap, the traveler can have some peace of mind if they are covered with the right insurance.  Some adventure activities covered by the product include, high altitude trekking, cycling and other non-professional sports.”

Insurance, especially when travelling on a trip focused on adventure activities, is imperative, says Arijit Munshi, General Manager, Tune Protect EMEIA, online facilitator of travel insurance. “The awareness of the importance of travel insurance has been slow to catch on within the region apart from mandates from specific countries such as Georgia, Schengen or EU countries. However, there is a definite rise in the number of people who now understand its relevance owing to various events in the last two years, including airline disasters, terrorist activities and weather calamities. We are getting large numbers of inquiries on the products facilitated by Tune Protect through it local insurance partners from travel management companies and Travel industry professionals from within the travel trade in the region. Travelers as well as travel industry professionals are now seeking further clarification and want more details about travel insurance products, and this was not the case before 2015.”

Protected interests

In terms of insurance specifically for adventure travelers, Tune Protect facilitates a product called AdventureCare, in partnership with local insurance companies in the region. “The plan is aimed at protecting adventure lovers. For instance, it includes round-the-clock emergency assistance, coverage of expenses up to USD300,000 in case of an accident or sickness incurred on the trip, personal liability up to USD100,000, up to USD250 covered for incidental expenses for each day spent at the hospital, costs covered for follow-up treatments in the home country and a sum of USD200, 000 paid in case of an accidental death or permanent disablement,” says Munshi.

Tune Protect, which has issued 30 million travel policies worldwide since its inception, has a suite of other products that are offered through our partners in the aviation, travel and hospitality industry, covering almost every segment of insurance needed by corporate and regular travellers. “We are able to facilitate travel assurance products based on the partnership with local insurance companies in the region or even further customize products – including Golf Care, Shop Care and Winter Care – to meet the needs and demands of all or specific travelers be it for leisure, adventure or business travelers offered only through our business partners such as airlines, travel management companies, online travel agents catering to travel,” adds Munshi.