Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) team members frequently share breaking news, helpful information, and trend highlights with each other. Below is a curated list of the industry news, global updates, and operational ideas we’ve been reading and discussing over the past several months that we think you’ll also find informative, inspiring, and intriguing.
Travel News and Trends
The Tech Revolution Poised to Power Tour Operators (Skift)
Travel is the last big sector to transform thanks to technology – a much-needed change as businesses rebound after the pandemic. New software offers streamlined booking platforms, automated itinerary building, and upgraded client management to slowly replace the outdated manual systems put in place with the intention of offering personalized service.
With Ukraine at War, Officials Hope to Bring Tourism Back to Areas Away From Fighting (NPR)
Ukraine’s tourism industry was just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic when Russia invaded the country, battering the economy and further impacting domestic and international travel. The Ukrainian government hopes to change that by focusing on domestic tourism in areas far from the war zone.
A Sworn Statement and Not a Certificate Will Be Valid to Guarantee Personal Skills For Adventure Tourism Guides in Costa Rica (The Costa Rica News)
A long-time leader of adventure tourism, Costa Rica lacks an in-country organization responsible for certifying qualifications of guides for high-risk activities. A new reform would allow companies to sign an affidavit that staff have the proper training and expertise to operate safely without requiring a certificate.
TikTok’s Short-Form Video Revolution Gains Traction in Search for Destinations (Skift)
As digital platforms across the board prioritize short-form video – from Instagrams Reels to Youtube’s Shorts – the future of destination marketing calls for unique, authentic content in attracting travelers.
Science and Sustainability
Al Gore Helped Launch a Global Emissions Tracker That Keeps Big Polluters Honest (NPR)
A new global tracker uses a combination of satellites, sensors, and machine learning to measure the top polluters worldwide. An alternative to self-reporting, the tracker shows where emissions originate, which allows for greater accountability and gives countries working toward net-zero the data needed to address the largest emitters.
Researchers Report a Staggering Decline in Wildlife. Here’s How to Understand It. (NYT)
Every two years, the World Wide Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London collaborate to publish the Living Planet Index – a report on the state of wildlife worldwide, and one that paints a sobering picture of biodiversity loss across the globe.
Travel Industry Warned ‘Tackle Climate Disaster Before It’s Too Late’ (Guardian)
The World Travel & Tourism Council recently reported that the travel industry generates between 8% and 11% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the majority from transportation. As a result, industry leaders have joined a growing call for governments to incentivize and invest in greener aviation fuel.
Ideas and Innovators
Is the New Era of Travel Elitist? (Rooted Storytelling)
From “high-quality” visitor strategies to increasing fees, the evolution of tourism is increasingly prioritizing visitors with money to spend. While the trend supports efforts toward sustainability, conservation fees, and preserving delicate sites, it is also in direct opposition to the goal of making travel more accessible.
The 2022 Travel Vanguard (AFAR)
AFAR magazine’s annual Travel Vanguard honors ten leaders in the travel industry who have made significant contributions to the future of travel; this year, honorees include people and businesses who are combating climate change, fighting inequality, and addressing accessibility issues.
Saudi Arabia Calls on Tourism Leaders to Create Global Tourism Innovation Index (Insider Travel Report)
During the 22nd World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Saudi Arabia, the host country proposed a worldwide collaboration to create a new Tourism Innovation Index (TII) which would utilize international best practices to enable sustainable and resilient tourism ecosystems, destinations, and experiences.
From Outdoors to Adventure Sports, How Hong Kong is “Rethinking Tourism” (Times of India)
Well-known for its vibrant city life, Hong Kong has also developed an approach to inbound tourism with a focus on sustainability, culture and art, food experiences, and adventure opportunities for travelers.
ATTA in the News
In Pushing Adventure Travel, Rural Towns See Paths Forward (Japan Times)
With inbound travel now resumed in Japan and looking toward the future, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is prioritizing the development of adventure travel and sustainable travel ahead of hosting the Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido in 2023,
5 Adventure Travel Outfitters You’ve Probably Never Heard Of (Forbes)
Meeting new and lesser-known travel companies is one of the highlights of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit, and these five small outfitters left big impressions.
Off to an Adventure (TTG Asia)
Hannah Pearson, Adventure Travel Trade Association’s regional director for Asia, asserts adventure tourism is a valuable forte for destinations to develop because it is a multi-billion dollar segment that keeps most of the revenue within the local community and demands a sustainable approach to development
At ATWS 2022: Sustainability, Inclusion and Responsible Travel (TravelAge West)
For the first time since 2019, members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) gathered in person for the organization’s largest annual event: the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in Lugano, Switzerland.