Independent Traveler Market

[planeta]

Do we have reliable stats on the independent traveler market?
What data/research exists on the size, needs and marketing strategy for the independent traveler market?
Are there global trends?
What research exists for specific countries?

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Business and Finance Forum
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[Carol Patterson]

I was at the recent Ecotourism in the US conference held in Bar Harbor, Maine and was concerned by the number of operators who are seeing a steady increase in the average age of their adventure travelers. George Wendt of OARS and a member of the Adventure Collection said the average age of his travelers has increased from 27 to 47 in the last 30+ years and this was echoed by other outfitters at the conference. Where are the younger travelers going? My understanding is readers of publications like National Geographic Adventure are in their late 20s so where are they vacationing? I suspect there may be more of a tendency of this generation to undertake independent travel and ëfly under the radarî when it comes to research into organized travel but Iíd be interested in hearing what other businesses have experienced in this area.

Carol Patterson

Kalahari Management Inc.

Author of The Business of Ecotourism and Saving Paradise: The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge

[planeta]

Recommended reading on Wikipedia

Free Independent Traveler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Independent_Traveler