The adventure tourism industry is expected to recover up to four years earlier than mass tourism, reads a forecast of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

Adventure tourism is linked with nature, sports activities, tourist activities and cultural experience. It is practiced by smaller groups of people. Western Europe and North America are the fastest-recovering destinations for adventure tourism due to the high number of people who have had Covid-19 and those who were inoculated against the novel coronavirus, notes Gergana Nikolova, Regional Director Europe and Central Asia of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). Hiking and cycling tourism in all their forms are the most popular activities related to adventure tourism.

“Most of the people practicing adventure tourism are aged 50 or above, who are either in the prime of their career, or earn more money. They want to invest in their health and spend large sums on vacations and travel. Adventure tourism contributes greatly to local economies. Approximately 65% of the money spent on adventure travel stays on location”, explained Gergana Nikolova.

Bulgarians are also showing increased interest in adventure tourism such as climbing, horse riding, paragliding and trail running. Amateur competitions are organized in many Bulgarian towns to satisfy the needs of the people living in the urban areas, explains Lyubomir Popivanov from the Bulgarian Mountain Guides Association. French and German tourists have been returning to Bulgaria to practice adventure tourism.

“We are also expecting Spanish and Dutch tourists. I hope that tourists from other countries who like Bulgaria and its beautiful mountains would return as well.”

Written by: Mila Mladenova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: library