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  2023 can safely be called the year that travel came roaring back, with bookings for certain destinations superseding pre-pandemic numbers. Community tourism pioneer, G Adventures, this year reveals the places that are seeing the most traction in terms of forward bookings thanks to exciting new reasons to visit.   What’s most exciting is that people are looking to travel to some more ‘traditional’ destinations in a new way - a way that gives back to local people and communities, and gets them closer to the culture and tradition of a place.   G Adventures’ founder, Bruce Poon Tip, says travellers have changed over the past three years and are now looking for deeper, more meaningful experiences.   “What we’re seeing is that people want to stay longer and go deeper into a destination. They’re travelling less frequently; instead of taking three one-week trips a year, they’re staying longer in a single destination. And while they are there they want to connect with local people and their cultures, and to experience community tourism in its purest form.   “We’re also still seeing a lot of travellers checking off those big ‘bucket list’ trips, with many still making up for lost time, and they’re keen to stay active when they travel - that’s why we’re seeing such huge growth in some of our most iconic locations,” says Poon Tip.   Packed with the best destinations travellers can enjoy in 2024, the Where To Travel list focuses not just on meaningful community tourism experiences, but also places which have new and noteworthy reasons to visit.  

1. JAPAN - Travellers can’t get enough of Japan since it reopened, with the land of the rising sun also seeing rising bookings. G Adventures reports a 134 per cent increase in bookings for 2024, and this trend is set to continue with the launch of the small group adventure operator’s Geluxe Collection of premium active trips. The new Japan itinerary includes hiking the remote Michinoku Coastal Trail, which was constructed after the tsunami to bring community tourism back to Iwate. G Adventures is the first major operator to offer this  hike.

  GET THERE: G Adventures’ Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail trip is priced from £5,999pp for an 11-day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. Travellers will discover villages outside Kyoto by foot, as well as hiking up to the Unotori shrine in Fudai, Iwate, to witness a unique cultural performance that has all but died out in other parts of Japan.  

2. PORTUGAL - The numbers don’t lie. Portugal has seen stand-out growth with traveller numbers tripling since 2019 and up 33 per cent compared to 2022. Affordable and accessible, with fantastic food, culture and history, there are plenty of reasons to want to visit this European gem. We say go before it gets even more popular, as its star looks set to continue to rise.

  GET THERE: G Adventures’ Highlights of Portugal itinerary is priced from £1,029pp for a seven-day trip from Lisbon to Porto. On this trip, travellers will sit down to a traditional meal to the sound of a Fado performance by Portuguese folk music artists in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods, and immerse themselves in history and culture at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Monastery of Batalha, Coimbra University, and the picturesque town of Sintra.  

3. UZBEKISTAN - Uzbekistan - and the ‘Stans in general - have become quite the hotspot as people look to check off big ‘bucket list’ destinations and get further afield to lesser-known countries. Uzbekistan has seen a 53 per cent increase year over year, also usurping 2019 by 16 percent. The stunning Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent is set to open its doors in April 2024, and joins the Center for Contemporary Arts, which was opened in 2019, as two new cultural hubs set to attract the attention of travellers.

  GET THERE: G Adventures’ Highlights of Uzbekistan trip is priced from £1,199pp for a 10-day trip from Tashkent return. During the trip, travellers will head out into the desert to visit Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata, dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress, visit the remote Aydarkul Lake for a swim before continuing on for an overnight stay in a local yurt camp, where they enjoy an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and an evening Kazakh singing show.  

4. INDIA - India has picked up the pace in the past year with bookings doubling between 2022 and 2023. G Adventures partnership with National Geographic means exclusive experiences are built into every itinerary. From the UK, Virgin Atlantic has announced a new direct flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru, opening up the country for travellers looking to explore beyond their G Adventures experience.

  GET THERE: A National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures North India Highlights trip is priced from £1,099 per person from Delhi return. In Jaipur, known as the “Pink City,” travellers will meet with a local historian and sociology scholar to learn about India’s complex social fabric and traditions, and discuss a range of topics from the country’s belief systems to its architecture.  

5. MEXICO - Vibrant and colourful Mexico has proven more popular than pre-pandemic, helped by the introduction of new trips to the G Adventures portfolio.These include two new Geluxe Collection premium active itineraries, which put a fresh active spin on what has been seen as a more traditional ‘beach’ destination. Up 24 per cent than in 2019, and 28 per cent when compared to last year, Mexico continues to make consistent gains.

  GET THERE: A 14-day Mexico: Central Mexico & the Yucatan Peninsula trip is priced from £4649pp, travelling from Oaxaca to Tulum. Travellers will wander the cobblestone streets and markets of Oaxaca and devour mole in Puebla, before biking through agave fields and taking a break from the heat with a swim in a jungle sinkhole near Merida.  

6. VIETNAM - Another country that was late to reopen but has doubled its traveller numbers since 2022 is Vietnam, which is also a great value choice for families looking for adventure on their next trip. With tasty food, beautiful sights and friendly people, it makes a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about a different culture in a fun and engaging way. Vietnam is poised to continue its significant growth. Vietnam Airlines also confirmed its return to daily flight frequencies from London Heathrow to Vietnam this winter, with daily nonstop services resuming in October, 2023.

  GET THERE: A 12-day Vietnam Family Adventure is priced from £1149 per adult and £1009 per child, travelling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip visits Oodles of Noodles, a G for Good project supporting former street youth where travellers help prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles.  

7. GREECE - As travellers have started flocking back to Europe, Greece has seen huge growth, up 90 per cent from 2019 numbers and 24 per cent year on year. One of the best ways to avoid the crowds and get amongst it with locals, is by boat. Taking travellers to remote islands to enjoy local cuisine and culture, G Adventures’ Sailing programme epitomises community tourism, making sure wealth is distributed to lesser-known locales while still taking in the highlights of the islands.

  GET THERE: A 10-day Sailing Greece - Santorini to Santorini trip is priced from £1629 per person, travelling from Santorini return. On-shore experiences include strolling through the markets of Syros, uncovering the beauty of the Venetian ruins in Paros hiking through the trails and paths of Sifnos.  

8. THAILAND - Thailand also continues its epic comeback, and we can expect it to boom even more as travellers head there before the ‘White Lotus Effect’ takes hold, with filming for the third season set to begin in 2024. Up 76 per cent in traveller numbers year on year, Thailand is still a solid choice for young travellers and backpackers looking for an affordable escape.

  GET THERE: The Bangkok to Hanoi: Chiang Mai, Night Markets & Streetside Bars Roamies trip in partnership with Hostelworld is priced from £799pp for a nine day trip from Bangkok to Hanoi. This trip includes a visit to Yimsoo Cafe in Bangkok that offers training and economic opportunities for people living with disabilities.  

9. SOUTH KOREA - With Asia trending since its reopening, South Korea has also proven a welcome surprise in terms of its popularity with numbers doubling in 2023 compared to 2019. Helped by popular culture - K-Pop and K-dramas - South Korea also offers a wealth of traditional culture, incredible food, and exciting experiences for travellers.

  GET THERE: An eight-day Best of South Korea trip is priced from £2149 per person, travelling from Seoul return. Travellers will see the highlights in and around Seoul plus visit folk villages, unique Korean temples, and the bustling markets of Busan, as well as learning about the sombre history of North and South Korea and taking an excursion to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two.  

10. ITALY - Another popular post-Covid destination is Italy, which is up 30 per cent from 2019 numbers, and 24 per cent year on year. With travellers looking to head to their dream destinations, it makes sense that perennial favourite Italy would be high on everyone’s lists. With G Adventures’ Local Living programme, travellers are taken off the road most travelled to really experience what it is like to live like a local.

  GET THERE: An eight-day Local Living Italy—Amalfi Coast trip is priced from £1599 per person, travelling from Naples return. On this trip, travellers live like one of the region’s locals, discovering the small towns, mountain trails, and local customs of this uniquely beautiful place, tucking into bed at a converted 17th-century monastery home base.

G Adventures has boosted the outside sales team with the appointment of Tom Buck as Global Purpose Specialist (GPS). This London based internal appointment responds to an increase in demand for in-person events and training, especially from travel agent partners in the capital. Entering the travel industry as a sales consultant at TUI, Buck joined G Adventures as a Global Connection Officer in the operator's 'Boombox' (contact centre) in 2017. He then served in the Private Groups division in 2018. "Tom's drive and agency support skills has shone through during his time in the groups department and makes him a fantastic fit for the new GPS role said Stu Darnley, national sales manager. Buck’s role covers London, the Southeast and as far north as Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. He will spend much time out on the road face-to-face with travel agents. “We're seeing a huge increase in in-person requests from agents and we're excited to have another set of boots on the ground,” Darnley added. Buck spent four years travelling in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand before joining G Adventures. " I have worked closely with the GPS team around the world for a number of years and I'm excited to share my passion for adventure with our agents," Buck said.  

As news of the vandalism at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, makes headlines around the world, G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip, has launched a global search for 'Ivan + Hayley.' It is an effort to educate them to be more conscious travellers. Poon Tip has an extended an invitation to the couple to travel with G Adventures. A 'reward' trip is also offered for one person who assists in reaching them. "While it's shocking to see anyone deface an ancient landmark like the Colosseum, it's not as uncommon as many would think,” Poon Tip says. “When filming The Last Tourist, we captured footage of tourists behaving in the most unconscious ways, from spray painting landmarks to bragging about destroying 6,000 year old rock formations.” “Travellers often suspend the values they abide by at home when they step on a plane, and it's this mindset that needs to change." "Rather than condemning Ivan and Hayley, I'm launching an appeal to find them, and to invite them to GX, G Adventures' inaugural annual community travel summit.” The couple would get the opportunity to experience the concept of community tourism, he says. They would learn the value of protecting the destinations they visit." Poon Tip is also the executive producer of The Last Tourist; a new responsible travel documentary which launched in the UK in May. It addresses the impact of mass tourism on destinations, the environment and local communities. The documentary can be viewed on Amazon, Apple TV, Sky, Vubiquity, Google, Microsoft and Rakuten. Anyone who helps bring 'Ivan and Hayley' to G Adventures will be rewarded with their own ticket to the GX Community Tourism Summit, as a thank you. People can email the tip line at: media@gadventures.com.

G Adventures has unveiled a new brand campaign - Bring on the World. The Bring on the World campaign is live now, and features a new anthem video that champions real travellers who want to step outside their comfort zone. The video is just one tool travel agents can use to market G Adventures' trips to their customers. It has fun, people-focused imagery, G adventures says, that was captured on recent photoshoots in Morocco and Vietnam. There is also a travel agent tool kit with hundreds of unique marketing assets, including social posts, window decals, and consumer flyers. They are available in English, French, and German. More assets will be added throughout the year. The Bring on the World campaign will run across TV and radio channels across the UK throughout June and July. Bring on the World will be G Adventures' largest scale brand campaign ever, says director of marketing for Europe, Ant Stone. "We're thrilled to introduce our Bring on the World rally cry, which inspires travellers to embrace all aspects of small-group travel," Stone says. "Travel is a privilege and we want to encourage travellers to consciously celebrate all those small moments that happen on a trip." Agents can access assets for the upcoming campaign by logging in to the new brand campaign agent tool kit, or signing up to the G Adventures Asset Library.  

 

Change Makers agent incentive to be hosted during global event

  This September, Peru will play host to the inaugural GX summit - a travel convention unlike any the world has seen before. Agents, suppliers, media and travellers will gather together from around the globe to experience firsthand what an incredible impact community tourism can have on a destination.   The multi-day, mega-event runs from September 22-28, 2023. Each group will have its own dedicated itinerary, and the event will culminate with the first World Community Tourism Summit, to be hosted on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2023. This day will feature a line-up of inspiring speakers and entertainment, which will soon be announced.   Presented by G Adventures, in support of its non-profit partner, Planeterra, GX will be hosted in Peru, a country which has struggled with its return to pre-pandemic tourism numbers due to recent civil unrest. Planeterra will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at the event, and G Adventures will recognise its belated 30th anniversary, which was postponed three years by the pandemic.   GX will be invitation-only, but agents have a chance to be in attendance with the announcement that the 2023 Change Makers event - revealed last month - will be hosted as part of GX. Here, 65 agents who have played their role in changing lives through travel will be brought together from different regions.   Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, says GX will be an event unlike any the travel industry has seen before; a feel-good celebration that has the potential to drive change and make a huge difference to the lives of local people through its concurrent fundraising efforts for Planeterra’s 20th anniversary.   “We’ve thrown lots of great parties and events in our 33 years of operation, but this will be the biggest yet. With Planeterra's 20th and our 30th anniversaries, it needs to be something special and never-done before. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to recognising 20 years of Planeterra, the great work that has been done, and to help raise money to continue the great work they are doing to change lives in the communities we visit.   “There's no better way to show our travel community first-hand how tourism has the power to drive positive change than through experience. We’ve been showcasing the beautiful concept of community tourism to our travellers for years, but wanted to open it up to the industry to experience as well.   “In true G Adventures style, we’re continuing to innovate with GX, which will be a groundbreaking event in travel - it really will be the first of its kind,” says Poon Tip.   Change Makers is live now and runs until June 30, 2023*. The campaign incentivises agents to focus on changing people's lives through travel by booking G Adventures trips. Agents who successfully earn a place at Change Makers will see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communities in the destinations G Adventures takes its travellers to.   Agents can visit: https://sherpa.gadventures.com/change-makers/ and log into Sherpa, or speak to their regional global purpose specialist for more information.   More details on GX and the World Community Tourism Day will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information on GX, please visit: https://gx.gadventures.com/.

G Adventures is set to restart Peru tours next week. It relaunches trips from 1 March 2023 after several challenging months in the country. "Our team has been monitoring the situation, including the reopening of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail," says Sarah Miginiac, G Adventures' GM for Latin America. There will be some itinerary changes in areas such as Puno but most of the itineraries will run as normal. Peru tours include Amazon Riverboat in Depth which includes a night time boat ride through the Pacaya Samira National Reserve. The Inca Journey  features cooking classes in Cusco, hot springs, and the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu spanning ten days. The Inca Trail  is celebrated as one of the world's most iconic hikes starting and ending in Cusco.

G Adventures has established a new holding company It will bring existing and new brand acquisitions under the same parent brand, called G Travel Community (GTC). The purpose of GTC is to create a community of travel companies that have 'community-led growth'. The current brands joining GTC are G Touring and TruTravels, both based in the UK. Planeterra, G Adventures' non-profit partner, will also benefit from this 'shared services' model. All brands will be supported from a centralised admin standpoint. Each brand retains its own sales and marketing function, customer services, product development and tour operations. The launch of GTC also marks a number of senior leadership changes. G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip becomes chairman. COO Jeff Russill will be the chief executive officer of GTC, overseeing the G Adventures, TruTravels and G Touring brands. Ben Perlo, currently MD for G Adventures in the US, will take on the role of president and CEO for the G Adventures brand, in addition to his current role in the short-term. Perlo will remain based in Boston. "GTC the travel community signifies a sense of community, so it's exciting to see this be fully embraced internally.” Poon Tip said "Everything we do is about having a greater impact.” The GTC holding company is now fully operational.

G Adventures is offering up to 25% off on 2023 discounted holidays. The Great Adventure Sale is back and runs through 31 January 2023. The sale features hundreds of trips. It incorporates Classic, Active, Marine, Local Living and 18-to-Thirtysomethings trips. The Great Adventure Sale features new discounted holidays, including a seven-day Greek Island hopping adventure for young travellers. Great Adventure Sale trips include: The Inca Journey - Cooking classes in Cusco, ancient archaeological sites, indigenous weaving and caiman spotting in the Amazon. Sailing Thailand - Phuket to Phuket - National parks, deserted beaches and stunning snorkelling spots. Kruger in Depth - An eight-day safari trip including a visit to the Jane Goodall Institute's Chimp Eden

Adventure travel specialist G Adventures has made a significant financial investment in sustainable travel tech start-up, Reforest.  Reforest, based in Brisbane, is a digital platform connecting travellers with local communities, actively restoring their ecosystems through reforestation. This enables travellers to give back by having trees planted. Reforest has also been designed to help travel companies tackle environmental challenges through emission removal. Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures founder, says it is an effective way to reverse climate change and support community tourism. "Travellers want to see natural beauty, so we need the world's most beautiful places to be around for as long as possible.” The Reforest platform will help us achieve that goal,” Poon Tip added. "At Reforest we are leading the conversion of hard climate data. A customer can see the trees a travel company is planting on their behalf,” said Daniel Walsh, co-founder of Reforest.  

G Adventures is welcoming its 'little red ship' - G Expedition - back to the water with bucket list trips this upcoming 2022 / 2023 Antarctic season.  It has been two and half years since the pandemic forced the ship out of service. Brian Young, managing director for G Adventures in EMEA, says the G Expedition, which is often referred to as the 'floating classroom', offers a high level of on-board education to travellers as they explore the Antarctica's landscape. "Travellers booking trips aboard our G Expedition are not only seeking a once in a lifetime adventure, but are also curious about the wildlife and ecosystems they encounter in the Antarctic region.” The ship's long-standing citizen science projects and education programme help them to make the most of their Antarctic expedition,” Young said. Travellers can save up to 20% on this season's expedition trips, when booked before September 29, 2022, for travel between October 22, 2022 and March 13, 2023. Example trips  include: Antarctica Classic - Passing huge icebergs to encounter huge whales, enormous rookeries of penguins, and stunning landscapes. This 11-day expedition showcases the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica Classic In-Depth - Like the ‘Antarctica Classic’ tour, this 13-day expedition introduces guests to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, but adds on two additional days for more exploration.

The Kingdom of Bhutan next month reopens the historic Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years.   The trail will be officially reopened in a formal ceremony in Bhutan on September 28, 2022. As an exclusive launch partner G Adventures will be the first operator to take travellers along the Trans Bhutan Trail when the inaugural, sold-out, departure leaves on October 02, 2022. G Adventures is also resuming trips to Australia and New Zealand this September. , says the operator is excited to be heading back to these three countries which are some of the last to reopen to foreign travellers, and to be bringing tourism dollars back into local communities, specifically in Bhutan. "We're honoured to be working with the Bhutan Canada Foundation and the Trans Bhutan Trail to launch this newly restored route, and we've been thrilled with how popular the new trips have been,” Yves Marceau, VP of Product at G Adventures There are two new active trekking itineraries available to book in Bhutan into 2023. There is an 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail trip which features camping and homestays, and a 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail itinerary. The two tours focus on trekking specially selected parts of the 403-km (250-mile) trail. The trail features camping spots and overnights in comfortable local homestays.  

Adventure operator, G Adventures has welcomed the first custom-built catamaran to its fleet of vessels in the Galapagos islands. The new Reina Silvia Voyager features 10 cabins split over two decks, including two dedicated solo cabins. Yves Marceau, global vice president of product at G Adventures says the addition of the Reina Silvia Voyager will allow G Adventures to cater to the rise in travellers seeking bigger-ticket adventures. “We’re seeing a very high demand for once-in-a-lifetime adventures such as the Galapagos as travellers commit to trips they’ve long dreamt about.” The Galapagos has ranked consistently among our top three most popular destinations for British travellers over the past six months,” Marceau said. Running across the central, east and west islands, the 103-foot Reina Silvia Voyager offers four itineraries, ranging from eight to ten days including Quito and will accommodate up to 16 passengers. Eight cabins accommodate twin or doubles with two solo cabins catering to individual travellers. Eight offer private balconies, while all rooms have panoramic windows for optimal ocean viewing, private bathrooms, and energy-saving LED lighting. Common areas on board will include an expansive third deck with lounge chairs for sunbathing, a covered cocktail bar, grill station and an outdoor jacuzzi tub. An indoor, air-conditioned salon with a large video screen will enable visual presentations from specially trained naturalists. The Reina Silvia Voyager has eight on-board kayaks and two zodiacs for guests’ guided use. Itineraries include the 10-day Galapagos - Central and East islands and 10-day Galapagos - West and Central islands.