Gennady Podolsky, a seasoned global travel consultant, discusses special-interest trips that may appeal to the adventurous traveler.
A special-interest tour invites participants to explore a particular interest, activity, or experience. Perhaps they’d like to dive deeply into a specific culture’s visual arts. Maybe they want to sample varied Latin dance styles or visit ancient archeological sites.
Regardless of the focus, tour participants are searching for distinctive experiences they’re not likely to find anywhere else. Global travel advisor Gennady Podolsky offers a snapshot of special-interest tourism and highlights seven in-demand tour options.
Special-Interest Tourism Snapshot
Special-interest tourism is an increasingly popular segment of the global tourism market. Compared to mass-tourism trip participants, special-interest travelers are frequently more focused on sustainable and/or culturally enriching experiences. Although special-interest tours are often more expensive, these travelers frequently don’t consider price a limiting factor.
While special-interest tourism is not a new phenomenon, these travel experiences gained more visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. During locked-down consumers’ long months at home, they had plenty of time to research “must visit” destinations across the globe. Once medical authorities lifted travel restrictions, consumers were eager to act on their pent-up desire to explore the world.
To prepare for these off-the-beaten-path trips, global travel advisor Gennady Podolsky recommends that tour companies conduct thorough itinerary research. The tour operators should also be prepared to provide tour participants with extensive support. Travelers may also expect certain amenities that reflect the trip’s singular focus.
7 Popular Special-Interest Tourism Offerings
Special-interest tours span many subjects, activities, and destinations. Narrowing down the trip options may seem overwhelming at first. Armed with decades of experience in the realm of global travel planning, Gennady Podolsky says a methodical approach, and assistance from a responsive tour company, can produce a tour that aligns with a traveler’s needs. Here, he highlights seven intriguing specialty tours that (literally) span the globe.
Birdwatching Tours
Watching colorful birds in their natural habitats can be both relaxing and energizing. Birdwatching tours offer opportunities to see (and hear) these avian wonders via binoculars, telescope lenses, and listening devices.
Popular birdwatching spots include Cape May, New Jersey (on the Atlantic Coast migration route). Patanlal, Brazil and Mindo, Ecuador are additional Western Hemisphere birdwatching destinations. Elsewhere in the world, Broome, Western Australia joins Hula Valley, Israel and Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Culinary Connoisseur Tours
Chefs, food lovers, and culinary enthusiasts often enjoy learning about a region through its cuisine. Travelers may visit local farms and markets, immerse themselves in cooking classes, and gain insights into the area’s food-related culture. Popular culinary tour destinations include New Orleans (USA) along with India, Italy, Japan, and Thailand.
Ecological Tours
During the past several decades, ecological tours have become increasingly popular. Also known as ecotourism, these tours typically visit unspoiled destinations featuring plenty of natural beauty. Local residents may serve as tour guides and/or offer locally sourced crafts and other items for sale. Popular ecotourism destinations include Alaska, Antarctica, the Amazon Rainforest, Costa Rica, the Himalayas, and the Galapagos Islands.
Gardening-Focused Tours
Gardening enthusiasts often delight in visiting world-class botanical gardens and other sites with a vibrant gardening history. Popular garden tour destinations include Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens in the United States. Abroad, the UK’s Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the Gardens of Versailles, and the Gardens of the Taj Mahal are popular garden tour destinations.
History-Themed Tours
Local, national, and global history enthusiasts often visit sites involved in intriguing historical developments. Expert historians lead these tours to well-known ancient ruins, notable battlefields, historic buildings, and other significant sites. Families with older children may wish to consider historical site visits as real-life educational experiences.
Rural Experience Tours
Travelers immersed in their fast-paced 21st-century lifestyles may wish to spend some quality time in a slower-paced setting. Rural tourism enables visitors to explore striking landscapes, connect with the natural world, and interact with those practicing traditional lifestyles. Working farms (especially with animals), traditional villages, and other rural environments are popular with rural experience enthusiasts in the United States and abroad.
Wildlife Tours and Safaris
Wildlife tours and safaris have long been a popular type of special-interest tourism. Wildlife tour travelers enjoy visiting wildlife preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and zoos.
While viewing animals in their natural (or simulated natural) habitats, travelers may participate in conservation efforts. Tour participants may also help uplift the local economy. Popular wildlife tourism destinations include Africa and Australia. The Galapagos Islands, renowned for their rich diversity of animal species, are also high on the list.
Safaris (particularly African safaris) enable travelers to get up-close-and-personal with a variety of exotic wildlife. A safari experience appeals to nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and travelers who prefer to “walk on the wild side.” Multiple African national parks and wildlife preserves are popular safari destinations.
Choosing a Special-Interest Tour
Selecting the right special-interest tour shouldn’t be a hasty decision. Global travel advisor Gennady Podolsky recommends that travelers consider four key factors before making their choice.
Trip Duration
Special-interest tours can range from two days to two months. Travelers with flexible schedules and significant financial resources may opt for a longer tour. Tour participants with limited vacation time and/or tight budgets may choose a shorter trip. Either way, special-interest travelers are likely to find a tour length that meets their distinctive needs.
Group Tour vs Private Tour
A group tour is composed of multiple English-speaking travelers with the same travel interests. This multi-aged group will likely hail from varied countries and ethnicities. A knowledgeable tour guide will oversee every aspect of the trip’s itinerary and handle concerns that arise.
A private tour also involves a tour guide who manages the trip logistics and addresses emerging issues. However, a private group tour solely consists of family and/or friends that wish to travel together.
Tour Group Size
Group tour operators typically list a tour’s maximum group size in the trip description. Small group tours often consist of 20 or fewer participants. In contrast, a larger group may consist of 45 to 50 participants. Selecting a group that’s too large (or too small) for a traveler’s preference can negatively impact their travel experience.
Participants’ Age Ranges
Travelers with common interests can range from 18 to 80. This full spectrum of ages often sparks diverse perspectives and intriguing insights. Most tours don’t have an upper age limit. Depending on the trip’s physical activity requirements, however, older travelers may be asked to complete a questionnaire about their physical ability to safely participate in the tour.
Choosing the Right Tour is Key
A special-interest tour offers an opportunity to spark (or deepen) a traveler’s interest in a specific subject, activity, or experience. Global travel advisor Gennady Podolsky notes that choosing a tour that meets a traveler’s requirements sets the stage for a memorable trip.
