Adventure tourism is an exciting and growing segment with high potential for the hotel and accommodation industry. The growth has been impressive over the past few years, and all indications suggest it will continue for some time.
Social media plays a significant role in this. When people see amazing adventure photos and videos online, it makes them want to try these experiences themselves. Shared visual content attracts new adventure-seeking guests, which fuels the industry.
Therefore, all types of accommodations have good reason to adapt their offerings to adventure tourists. In this article, we’ll explain what adventure tourism is and how you can implement it in your property.
What is adventure tourism?
Adventure tourism involves activities that present physical, mental, or cultural challenges. These typically mean stepping outside one's comfort zone and seeking thrilling, adrenaline-rich experiences. Unlike traditional holidays, where guests might relax by the pool, adventure tourism pushes their boundaries.
Adventure tourists aren't just booking a room. They're booking an experience. They want to hike that mountain they saw on Instagram, try white-water rafting, or learn to surf from a local instructor. Your property becomes their home base for all of this.
What makes these guests different?
They care way more about your location than a marble bathroom. They're more likely to choose a basic room with trail access over a luxury suite.
The practical stuff matters to them. Can they store wetsuits? Do you serve breakfast at 5 AM before their sunrise hike? Do your staff know the local guides? These details can make or break their experience.
These guests want authentic local experiences. They'd rather eat where the locals eat than at a fancy restaurant. They want to hear stories about the area, meet locals, and connect through meaningful experiences
For many hotels, adventure tourists are a dream. They stay longer, spend more, and often become your strongest advocates. They regularly share their experiences on social media, creating powerful social proof, putting your property into the spotlight, and potentially transforming their followers into your future guests.
Types of adventure tourism
Adventure tourism isn't one-size-fits-all. Different guests want different types of activities: some want big challenges, while others just want to have a good time with their loved ones. Understanding these segments helps you target the right market and build optimal partnerships.
1. Soft adventure tourism
Think of a soft adventure as "adventure with training wheels". These guests want a taste of excitement without needing specialised skills or extreme fitness levels. A family might try their first rock climbing session on a beginner-friendly wall, or a couple might book a scenic helicopter ride over a dramatic coastline.
Popular soft adventure activities include guided nature walks, cultural tours with hands-on elements, wine country cycling, beginner kayaking, horseback riding, and wildlife safaris. The keyword here is "guided", as these guests appreciate professional instruction and safety measures.
Soft adventure seekers often travel in mixed groups with varying comfort levels. They want that Instagram-worthy experience, but also value comfortable beds and reliable meal times. They typically book longer stays, mixing gentle adventures with downtime.
2. Hard adventure tourism
Hard adventure guests have the skills, experience, and gear to tackle more serious challenges like technical rock climbing, advanced scuba diving, or extreme skiing.
These guests need practical amenities like secure gear storage, equipment drying areas, and pre-dawn breakfast options. Luxury thread counts matter less than location access and knowledgeable staff recommendations.
Hard adventure enthusiasts might stay fewer nights but generate higher revenue per visit. They book guides, rent specialised equipment, and purchase services through hotel partnerships.
3. Cultural and nature-based adventures
Adventure tourism can also cover cultural, nature-focused, and environmental experiences. Typically, these travellers want to participate in local traditions and contribute to conservation efforts.
Tourists looking for cultural experiences prefer to stay with local communities where they can learn traditional crafts from artisans, participate in local festivals, or join community service projects. These types of guests might want to cook traditional meals with classic methods or even help with the seasonal farm work.
Nature-based adventure focuses on wildlife research, marine conservation, or restoring habitats. In programs like this, guests can track endangered species, monitor ecosystems, or learn sustainable practices from local communities. These types of travellers value genuine interactions over anything that feels staged.
How to prepare for adventure tourism
Adventure guests have different needs from regular travellers. You need to adapt your operations, partnerships, and amenities to serve this growing market effectively. First, pick an activity or experience you’d like to provide, then adjust your offers and amenities accordingly.
Find reliable local adventure companies
Your success with adventure tourism depends on the quality of your local partners. Guests trust your advice, so picking the right partners is important for your reputation.
First, check if your potential partners are certified in the activity they offer. Look for businesses that have a good safety record, are properly insured and have received many positive reviews from guests. You can even try out their offers yourself to see how professional they are.
When you're working out the terms of the partnership, make sure it's a good deal for both sides. Try to get special prices for your guests and, in return, you send potential business their way.
Create memorable adventures with your partner that guests can only experience at your hotel. Let it be a climbing session at sunrise, or a cooking class with a local family, or anything else that hotels can't provide.
Create special bundles
Adventurers appreciate all-inclusive packages because they make planning easy and give good value for money. To meet the needs of your adventurous guests, combine accommodation, meals and extra services into one package
Consider creating different tiers for each adventure type. A soft adventure option might include guided nature walks, cultural workshops, or spa treatments. For the more challenging adventures, provide the amenities your guests need, with special attention to activity-specific considerations. Also, make sure you have an expert nearby that your guests can reach in case of any questions or concerns.
When designing your offerings, carefully consider each practical element that adventure tourists might require throughout their experience. You can provide equipment rental, professional guide services for your guests, or even special meals to keep them energised.
Focus on sustainability and community
These types of travellers care about the environment and local communities. They often pick places to stay that match their values and give back to the area.
If you want to impress them, ensure your hotel clearly shows its sustainable practices. Many people appreciate solar energy and water-saving efforts, but you can also show your commitment to sustainability by replacing single-use plastic products.
You might also consider partnering with local conservation groups to create meaningful volunteering opportunities for your guests. They could participate in restoring natural habitats, tracking wildlife populations, or contributing to community development projects.
Another approach is to strengthen your connection to the destination by sourcing products and services from local businesses. You can help showcase the work of regional artists, support nearby farmers, and collaborate with local service providers throughout your operations.
Update your amenities
Adventurers need special facilities that most accommodations don't have. First, set up secure, well-ventilated storage for their expensive gear. Individual lockers or dedicated areas that fit bulky items work best.
Create maintenance spots where guests can clean, dry, and fix their equipment. Include sinks for muddy boots, drying racks for wet clothes, and basic tools for quick repairs. This keeps their rooms clean and offers them the services they need.
Ideally, your dining schedule is flexible for adventure-seekers. Offer early breakfasts starting at 5 AM for those heading out before dawn. You can also provide packed lunches for day trips and flexible dinner times for guests coming back after a long day.
Technology solutions for managing adventure tourism
Adventure tourism can present some operational challenges. You have to deal with changing weather conditions, last-minute bookings and customised trips, as well as communicating with guests regularly. With complex tools, like SabeeApp Software Suite, you can handle all of these tasks effectively.
Flexible online booking with upselling
Adventure travellers often need to make quick decisions or change plans quickly due to natural or personal circumstances. The Booking Engine lets you easily promote additional services, room upgrades, and alternative price options. This makes it simple for guests to find engaging activities, hire equipment, or even extend their stay.
It automatically handles both flexible and non-refundable bookings, keeping operations smooth even when plans change suddenly.
Personalised guest communication
Adventurous guests have unique needs, such as early wake-up calls or regular weather updates. GuestAdvisor can send automated messages directly to their phones and give helpful concierge recommendations. This helps guests discover local activities, bars and restaurants.
The instant feedback feature also lets you solve issues quickly, keeping guests happy and building loyalty.
Revenue tracking for complex bookings
Adventure tourism generates income from various sources: accommodation, activities, and equipment rentals. The SabeeApp Property Management Software tracks all these income streams and helps you set the best prices to maximise profit.
It also handles the payment situations that are common in this type of tourism, such as multiple prepayments or group billing.
Mobile-first guest experience
Active travellers often book or change reservations on the go, sometimes in remote areas with limited internet access. With the Booking Engine added to your website, guests can easily book their stay directly. It works perfectly on any mobile device, so guests can access your services regardless of their location.
Beyond booking, Smart Solutions streamlines the entire arrival process. It allows contactless check-in using mobile ID scanning and smart lock access to rooms. Guests can access their rooms without having to wait at the front desk, which is very convenient when they return.
Grow and connect with adventure tourism
Adventure tourism provides a valuable opportunity to grow your revenue and connect with a passionate group of travellers. If you understand their needs and adapt your offerings, your property can become the go-to destination for unforgettable experiences.
You can combine all of this with technology that automates processes and improves the guest experience. Contact us for a free demo to see how elements of our system work in practice.