Adrenaline junkies are on the rise with adventure trips increasing by 65 percent annually since 2009. Today, the adventure travel industry is worth more than $345 billion according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association. From New Zealand to South Africa to Bolivia, adventure awaits!
Here are five places around the world to visit if you consider yourself a modern-day Evel Knievel or if you’re just looking for your next adventure:
Queenstown, New Zealand
Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand (and sometimes the world), Queensland is a go-to destination for anyone looking for some thrills. Visitors can choose from a wide range of activities like Heli rafting down the Shotover River, skydiving from 15,000 feet, paragliding or hang-gliding and bungy jumping, this city is sure to make your heart skip a beat – literally!
Cape Town, South Africa
There is more to Cape Town than sightseeing and wine tasting. Cape Town is home to numerous thrilling activities like paragliding and cage diving with the great white sharks of Gansbaai. If those seem a little too hair-raising for your liking, Cape Town offers excursions like surfing along the beaches, zip lining through the forest of Tsitsikamma and hiking through Cape Comino.
The Great Blue Hole of Belize
A world class destination for diving, the Great Blue Hole of Belize is an underwater sinkhole located off the coast near the center of Lighthouse Reef. If getting up close and personal with a variety of marine life like nurse sharks, reef sharks, black tip sharks and giant groupers is on your bucket list, then get this trip on the books!
La Paz, Bolivia
Home to one of the most adventurous and exhilarating activities in Bolivia, thrill seekers from all over the world travel here to bike down the “Death Road”. This 43-mile switchback includes cascades, landslides and cliffs that drop 2,000 feet at every turn as well as the road rarely getting wider than 10 feet.
Sand Dunes of Morocco
The sand dunes of the Moroccan Sahara are massive, untouched, and tailor-made for extreme sports like sandboarding. A sport of balance, like surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, it will challenge your stability and your comfort zone. If sandboarding sounds like the perfect activity for your next trip, be sure to only book your outing through official tours and get ready to kick the dust up!
The Aon Travel Takeaway? “Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing getaway or a one-of-a-kind adventure, travel insurance can provide you with that extra peace of mind,” says Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “A plan can help protect you, your wellbeing and your investment in travel.”