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Have you always wanted to go on luxury adventure trips but thought they’re only for the ultra-wealthy?

If so, you’re not alone; it’s a common perception, one that a study conducted by McKinsey & Company found and said “needs updating.” In a recent survey, the American multi-national management and strategy consulting firm discovered that 35% of the luxury-travel market consists of travelers with a net worth of between $100,000 and $1 million.

The above shows that you don’t have to be a billionaire or multi-millionaire to enjoy five-star adventures. With careful planning and preparation, you can be on your way to having memorable premium travel experiences.

Keep reading to learn why luxury travel destinations for adventure-seekers are booming and some of the top options for such holidays.

Increasing Affluence

Affluence, a word whose origins come from the Latin verb “affluere,” which means “to flow abundantly,” has increased among the U.S. population. As industry research platform IBISWorld points out, 41.9% of American households earn at least $100,000 in 2025. It represents a jump of 0.9% from the previous year and 1.9% from 2020.

The increase in the number of six-figure earners in the U.S. signifies a growth in wealth and spending power. As these folks have more disposable income and greater financial ability, they can afford to spend some of it on opulent outdoor excursions.

YOLO Mindset

The YOLO mindset is a perspective driven by not knowing what the future holds and realizing that life is fragile. If balanced with enough care and cautiousness, it can make a person feel empowered and encouraged to:

• Live in the present moment
• Pursue experiences without worrying too much
• Become more spontaneous
• Try new things
• Maximize the enjoyment of life

Many people have begun to embrace some level of the YOLO mindset, a “phenomenon” that became even more pronounced after surviving the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global health crisis, having forced people to spend years in lockdown, not only spurred “revenge travel.” It also prompted many to go “holidaying in class,” such as going to luxury travel destinations. From participating in Sedona’s deluxe yoga retreats to spending time on upscale Malibu beach holidays and exploring the great outdoors through Austin glamping destination spots, these are just some of the ways affluent folks are spending their time off.

The Rise in Bleisure Travel

Bleisure, a portmanteau of “business” and “leisure,” is another factor contributing to the boom in luxury adventure trips. The younger generation, particularly Millennials, is making the most of their “time away” on business trips to enjoy their destination.

While their “bleisure” trips are primarily for professional purposes, they’re adding enjoyable activities and personal travel to the mix. Doing so allows them to balance their work duties with personal life and relaxation, resulting in a more fulfilling experience.

The bleisure travel industry itself is flourishing, with Fortune Business Insights estimating its market size value at $685.20 billion in 2024. The global market research firm further forecasts it to grow to $762.01 billion in 2025 and $1.7 trillion by 2032.

Shifts in Life’s Priorities

Over time, the priorities of each generation evolve, influenced by changes in factors like:

• Household or family
• Growth in wealth
• Physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being

Let’s use American Millennials as an example, whose net worth has quadrupled since 2019, from $3.94 trillion to $15.95 trillion in 2024, according to an article by CNBC. They may have reached milestones at a later age than their predecessors, but their generation is now wealthier than their older counterparts.

Millennials and some from younger generations are among those leading the way in luxury adventure trips, as they consider travel more than just a leisure activity. They see it as a personal growth and educational opportunity. Instead of investing in conventional material possessions, they prioritize spending on unique experiences, things offered by luxury travel, particularly off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Older adults, whose kids are now adults and are already working and supporting themselves, are another example. With their children now grown up, they likely have more time and money to spend on themselves. They may have the desire to splurge from time to time on opulent adventures, which they couldn’t afford to do before but can now reward themselves with.

Advancements in Technology

With improvements in technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) supported software and data analytics, it’s now easier to create itineraries catered to your individual holiday preferences. With AI powering web searches, you can receive results, content, and recommendations based on your online data and search history.

You can now also enjoy simplified, streamlined booking processes for luxury holidays, both on the World Wide Web and digital apps. You can use digital concierge services, for instance, which are like virtual assistants that:

• Often operate 24/7
• Provide information about destinations and available accommodations
• Offer recommendations (e.g., where to go, where to stay, what to do in the area, which restaurants to eat at, and events worth attending)
• Assists with the booking process (e.g., securing luxury hotel rooms or a villa-for-rent)
• Provide information about and help book transportation options (including by air, water, or land)

With digital concierge services, finalizing travel plans has become more convenient with just a few clicks or taps. Some even notify you of other destinations that may pique your interest if your original preferred destination isn’t available.

Immersive experiences delivered through virtual reality (VR) technology are another tool revolutionizing the luxury travel market and are a factor behind its boom. With VR, you can explore a destination in a life-like, virtual setting from the comfort of your home. It gives you a taste of what a place has to offer before you commit, helping you make a more informed decision.

The Reasons Behind the Boom in Luxury Adventure Trips

From increasing affluence to “you-only-live-once” (YOLO) mindsets and changing life priorities, these are some of the primary reasons driving the high-end adventure tours market. Enjoying luxury adventure trips has also become easier thanks to innovations in travel and transportation technology.

If you’re looking for more holiday and trip ideas and guides like this, KXAN Austin has you covered! Check out our Travel segment for other practical tips and tricks and the latest in travel and transportation news.

Branded content furnished by our promotional partners. The Daily Sundial editorial staff is not involved in its production. Content does not reflect the views or opinions of the editorial staff.

Your next adventure awaits, Victoria!

Airbnb has released new data for this year, noting that Canada’s domestic travel boom has jumped more than 10% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year. 

Smaller towns and rural communities are seeing a big share of this growth, and Ucluelet is right in the spotlight!

According to the data, Ucluelet, near Tofino, is currently one of the country’s top trending destinations, drawing visitors who wish to experience the rugged west coast, surf culture and close proximity to the Pacific Rim National Park.

Some guest favourite Airbnbs in the area include Pacific Coral Retreat, Fernbridge Cabin, and Black Rock Landing.

In addition to BC, most of the provinces and territories in Canada saw more than a 20% increase in domestic bookings, with big jumps coming from places such as Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.

This trend reflects a broad shift towards non-US travel, instead choosing exploration closer to home, spending money in Canadian communities and supporting local businesses. 

Further, Airbnb has pointed out that there’s been nearly a double-digit increase (compared to the first half of 2024) in bookings to international destinations outside of the US, such as Japan, Brazil, France and Thailand.

If you wish to read more about some of Canada’s top travel destinations for 2025, you can view the data here. 

Happy traveling, Victoria!

By DEREK GATOPOULOS

PORTO RAFTI, Greece (AP) — Bus coupon in hand, Diamantoula Vassiliou headed for the sea, determined to make the most of her brief beach excursion.

The Athens resident was among thousands who took a four-hour tour this month to Avlaki Beach, one hour north of Greece’s capital, many hauling plastic coolers and homemade lunches — the accoutrements of summer holidays in leaner times.

“We come here because there’s no money,” said Vassiliou, for whom day trips have replaced weeklong vacations for four years.

Greece’s tourism industry is booming and the crystalline waters along its vast, rugged coast have transformed the nation into a source of envy-inducing Instagram posts. Foreign arrivals this year are expected to be up to four times the country’s population of 10 million, according to industry estimates, matching 2024 data. But many Greeks are watching from the sidelines — the result of both surging prices and slow wage growth.

According to European Union data, almost half of Greeks were unable to afford a one-week holiday last year, the second-highest rate in the bloc after Romania. This compares with about one in three for Italy and one in five for France and represents only a modest improvement from 2019, the year after Greece’s crippling financial crisis ended.

Luxury resorts have crowded out the budget guesthouses and campsites that once made pricey destinations like Santorini, Mykonos and Paros accessible to Greek families.

Tourism is the bedrock of Greece’s economy, directly supplying around 12% of the country’s output. But as businesses increasingly cater to foreign visitors, many no longer close during the summer, preventing local workers from taking a break.