Over the past year, while designing journeys in India, I’ve noticed an interesting divide among travellers.
Some arrive with a clear preference for the usual, touristy routes. They’re excited about the classic highlights and often hesitant to move too far off the usual path or are just not curious enough to try something different.
While, others are exactly the opposite. They're consciously looking to avoid the typical circuits. They’re far more open to exploring quieter, lesser-known regions; sometimes even actively avoiding the popular ones.
This contrast is especially visible with repeat travellers. Having already experienced the major landmarks, many of them are more willing to slow down and explore a region in depth.
In my experience, offbeat itineraries are definitely saleable; but maybe not universally. It really depends on where the traveller is in their journey and how comfortable they are stepping away from the familiar.
Curious to hear from others; are you seeing a similar divide when it comes to selling offbeat travel?
In my personal opinion, that sort of dynamic is shifting rapidly. As I took up a role in grant writing for a sustainable-social travel app, named Scapade, earlier this year I've been learning that sustainable travel (community tourism among other 'types') are quickly gaining traction as a large portion of the consumer market wants more ethical options and approaches to travel and consumption alike. So, I would say that YES, 'offbeat itineraries' are saleable and actually quite so. Scapade is actually focused on emphasizing those 'offbeat itineraries' so that it facilitates reciprocal economic models within the local community:travel industry relationship.
I’ve been sensing the same shift on the ground. Travellers are asking more questions, staying longer, and showing real interest in how their presence impacts the places they visit. It’s no longer just about “offbeat” for the sake of novelty, but about depth and responsibility.
I like the idea of a reciprocal model you mentioned. That’s something I try to build into my work as well. Ensuring local communities aren’t just part of the experience, but actually benefit from it in a meaningful way.
Out of curiosity, how are you seeing this translate at the decision-making level? Are travel curators actively seeking these models now, or is it still more driven by end-consumer demand?
Well, given the context of my current role still being moderately entry level, I would say that the majority of where I'm seeing this translated (again from my specific POV) is through funders. More specifically, the UK has broadened the market of funding for sustainable travel to heavily encourage these reciprocal models that we speak of. For example, when I was searching through funding resources, I came across many program grants and funding plans that are focused on sustainable - community tourism and reciprocal models for equitable relationships within that larger pipeline. The European Commission particularly has a lot of emphasis on shifting the travel industry towards stronger embodiment and reflection of these values, and I hope that this example serves as support to my argument!
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Over the past year, while designing journeys in India, I’ve noticed an interesting divide among travellers.
Some arrive with a clear preference for the usual, touristy routes. They’re excited about the classic highlights and often hesitant to move too far off the usual path or are just not curious enough to try something different.
While, others are exactly the opposite. They're consciously looking to avoid the typical circuits. They’re far more open to exploring quieter, lesser-known regions; sometimes even actively avoiding the popular ones.
This contrast is especially visible with repeat travellers. Having already experienced the major landmarks, many of them are more willing to slow down and explore a region in depth.
In my experience, offbeat itineraries are definitely saleable; but maybe not universally. It really depends on where the traveller is in their journey and how comfortable they are stepping away from the familiar.
Curious to hear from others; are you seeing a similar divide when it comes to selling offbeat travel?
In my personal opinion, that sort of dynamic is shifting rapidly. As I took up a role in grant writing for a sustainable-social travel app, named Scapade, earlier this year I've been learning that sustainable travel (community tourism among other 'types') are quickly gaining traction as a large portion of the consumer market wants more ethical options and approaches to travel and consumption alike. So, I would say that YES, 'offbeat itineraries' are saleable and actually quite so. Scapade is actually focused on emphasizing those 'offbeat itineraries' so that it facilitates reciprocal economic models within the local community:travel industry relationship.
That’s really encouraging to hear, Seminole.
I’ve been sensing the same shift on the ground. Travellers are asking more questions, staying longer, and showing real interest in how their presence impacts the places they visit. It’s no longer just about “offbeat” for the sake of novelty, but about depth and responsibility.
I like the idea of a reciprocal model you mentioned. That’s something I try to build into my work as well. Ensuring local communities aren’t just part of the experience, but actually benefit from it in a meaningful way.
Out of curiosity, how are you seeing this translate at the decision-making level? Are travel curators actively seeking these models now, or is it still more driven by end-consumer demand?
Well, given the context of my current role still being moderately entry level, I would say that the majority of where I'm seeing this translated (again from my specific POV) is through funders. More specifically, the UK has broadened the market of funding for sustainable travel to heavily encourage these reciprocal models that we speak of. For example, when I was searching through funding resources, I came across many program grants and funding plans that are focused on sustainable - community tourism and reciprocal models for equitable relationships within that larger pipeline. The European Commission particularly has a lot of emphasis on shifting the travel industry towards stronger embodiment and reflection of these values, and I hope that this example serves as support to my argument!
ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-06?keywords=Sustainable%20cultural%20tourism&isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&programmePeriod=2021%20-%202027&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=relevance