2010 travellers will use time off to test personal goals and learn new things
responsibletravel.com, the world's leading travel agent for responsible holidays, has seen a remarkable shift in holiday demand in 2009 with travellers choosing to trade their sun loungers and flip flops for extreme temperatures and hiking boots.
Two of the top three best-selling trips for 2009 shifted from beach holidays in Turkey and Malaysia to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and a Trans Siberian rail tour. A family-friendly activity week in Croatia (sea-kayaking, mountain-biking, yoga) came in at number seven in the top ten best-seller list having not even made it into the top thirty in 2008. So what travel trends do we expect to see in 2010?
Justin Francis, managing director, responsibletravel.com said: "Travel is becoming less about ticking off lists of places and things, and more about fulfillment, rejuvenation and testing goals that are physical, emotional and spiritual. We're noticing a growth in holidays that include a challenge and a real interest in making the most of our time away. When we reflect on this shift we can't underestimate the power of celebrity. Certainly the Cheryl Cole effect led to a surge in Kilimanjaro bookings for responsibletravel.com in 2009. The feel-good factor of achievement has started to be recognised as a new way of holidaying. Looking to 2010 I expect the rejection of more traditional lounge-around luxury holidays to continue. Luxury will became less about escaping into an expensive resort and more about enriching personal experiences and connection to the places we visit. Travellers will seek local distinction and authenticity and chose to experience these by focusing on the journey there, the people they encounter and the things they learn."
responsibletravel.com has over 60 holidays that allow you to learn something new. These unusual holidays offer a wide range of experiences including crafts, languages, sports and music, and are operated by worldwide specialists committed to the local environment and communities. See all our 'learn something new' holidays.
Get involved in football fever in Africa by volunteering for a football training project. This offers a fantastic opportunity to work with teams of disadvantaged young men who train every weekday in preparation for their weekend matches. They look to coaches for inspiration and help and guidance both on and off the field. You'll get to share your skills with others and enjoy a local family homestay.
Enjoy the sounds of the forest high up in your treetop hideaway in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Look out for animals from your balcony, which overlooks the reserve and the Bandhavgarh Fort. The individual houses are spacious, private and comfortable and when you're ready to climb down the local naturalist guides will help you enjoy the wildlife all around you.
This week offers you a chance to learn about some of the Highlands most renowned crafts and have drawn inspiration from the stunning Highland scenery You experience the whole process of felting from sheep to final product. After shearing you'll walk locally in search of dye plants to naturally colour the fleeces. You'll use some of the traditional methods and plants used by the dyers on Harris, including plants such as stinging nettles, bog myrtle, ragwort and mares tails, which all grow in abundance locally. Finally, you will produce a felted piece of work using the wool you will have sheared, washed, dyed and carded, seeing through the entire process - from fleece to felt!
Pedal through the stunning French countryside covering around 20-30 miles a day. This self-guided ride takes you through sweeping vineyards and allows you to take in some of the world's most famous wine houses. You'll stay in family-owned hotels, run by people who have a passion for their region and its cultural, gastronomic and historical heritage.
Take the train to Howden and immerse yourself in green living. The cottage has a log stove and 100% renewable electricity. Enjoy free use of bikes, collection from station, local shopping service, organic sheets and towels, "green" library, wormery and composting facilities. This brand-new house is a showcase of environmentally responsible building and the first straw bale house in the UK available to for holiday rental. Super-insulated walls of locally grown wheat straw are rendered externally with lime and internally with clay; keeping the building warm in winter and cool in summer. The roof is made of locally made clay tiles and insulated with sheep's wool.
