New research from Intrepid Travel found travellers are increasingly looking beyond the usual tourist hotspots, with 81% wanting to visit places they don’t typically see on social media, while 57% are actively prioritising off-the-beaten-path destinations. At the same time, 48% say ease of planning is more important than it was a year ago, and 86% say local guides give them the confidence to take more complex trips.*
For Australians still looking to book a July or August escape, small group travel can make these less familiar destinations far easier to access by taking care of transport, accommodation and local logistics.
Intrepid still has availability across a range of emerging destinations, including:
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Central Asia – Explore Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on a 17-day Silk Road adventure.
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India – Go beyond the Taj Mahal on a 15-day Rajasthan journey, including a heritage fort stay and Ranthambhore National Park.
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Borneo – Combine wildlife encounters with a climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu.
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South Korea – Discover the country through its food culture on an eight-day culinary adventure.
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Central America – Travel through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica on a 16-day journey.
Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director Brett Mitchell said: “We’re seeing more travellers looking beyond the destinations they’ve already seen all over social media and seeking experiences that feel more authentic and rewarding. Places like Central Asia (+37% YoY YTD), Borneo (68% YoY) and South Korea (+35% YoY) offer incredible cultural and natural experiences, but they can be more complex to plan independently. That’s where small group travel really comes into its own, making these destinations more accessible while supporting local communities along the way.”
