what is niche travel

What is niche tourism and why is it so popular?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Niche tourism is a term that I hear a lot these days. But what is niche tourism? Well, the truth is that it isn’t any one tourism type, rather it is a collective term used to group a number of types of tourism. It is an umbrella term .

Confused? Don’t be! It’s actually very simple, and in this article I will explain why….

What does the term ‘niche’ mean?

What is niche tourism, macro and micro niche tourism, niche tourism definitions, why has niche tourism become popular, advantages of niche tourism, disadvantages of niche tourism, examples of niche tourism, further reading.

Before we can understand what niche tourism is, we first need to understand what is meant by the word ‘niche’.

Niche (pronounced NEE-SH in the UK and NITCH in the US), refers to an area or position that is suitable for a small group of people.

As an adjective, niche can refer to a number of things, including:

In the context of tourism, niche is referring to products, services or interests that are shared by a small group of people.

Niche tourism is the umbrella term covering a range of types of tourism . Niche tourism products and services serve a specialised segment of the tourism industry.

Niche tourism is the antithesis of mass tourism . It is the opposite of large group tours, all-inclusive holiday resorts and overtourism .

Other terms that identify similar, small market segments include alternative tourism and special interest tourism .

Essentially, niche tourism identifies forms of micro (small) tourism.

As demonstrated in the diagram below, niche tourism itself can be categorised as a macro (i.e. big) type of tourism. Within this, a number of smaller tourism types can be identified. These are micro forms of tourism.

The list of micro tourism forms listed here is not exhaustive. For a more comprehensive list, take a look at my article on the different types of tourism .

The term niche tourism hasn’t been around that long. In fact, before the 1990s niche was most commonly used to describe marketing (Robinson & Novelli, 2005).

Definitions have evolved from the concept of niche marketing, so I think that it is useful to look first at how the term niche marketing is defined.

According to Toften and Hammervoll (2009), niche marketing can be understood as a focus on a limited market, which is generally considered to be appropriate for small or specialised businesses.

Stanton, Etzel, and Walker (1991) define niche marketing as ‘a method that meets customer needs by developing products and services especially suited to small markets’.

And Kotler (2003) describes niche marketing as a focus on clients who demonstrate a specific set of needs, available to pay a higher price to companies best suited to supply their demand for goods and services.

The most comprehensive text on the niche tourism phenomena was published in 2007 by Robinson and Novelli (2007). This book introduced us to the concept, outlining the notions of macro and micro tourism that I outlined earlier. In their book Robinson and Novelli outline a variety of different examples of niche tourism. Whilst, more than twenty years have passed since this publication, it still remains largely valid and useful, although there are now a wider range of tourism forms than there were at the time of writing.

More recently, in 2005, Novelli described niche tourists as independent travellers choose specialised activities to engage with social life and to become cosmopolitans.

Taking all of this into consideration, niche tourism can be defined as ‘an umbrella tourism form, which identifies macro and micro tourism segments appealing to a specific group of travellers’.

Niche tourism has grown in popularity a lot in recent years.

This growth is owed to the way that we have changed as consumers. People have become more sophisticated in their wants and needs. We know what we want and that’s what we want. The ‘one size fits all’ traditional package tourism model no longer suits.

Around the globe people have become more globalised and more educated. We want more than a nice pool and some evening cocktails from our holidays.

People want education and culture and adventure. And we can access these things through niche tourism provision….

I would love to share some figures with you to demonstrate this, but studies tend to focus on the macro or micro tourism forms, as opposed to niche tourism as a group. But hopefully you’ll take my word on that one!

Niche tourism is often viewed as being a more positive form of tourism than mass tourism. This is because it generally involves smaller numbers of tourists who (usually) leave less of a footprint. In fact, it is often associated by sustainable tourism and responsible tourism (rightly or wrongly).

Some of the advantages of niche tourism are:

• It is less damaging on the environment
• Tourists come in smaller numbers
• Tourists tend to be more courteous and respectful
• Niche tourists often pay more than mass tourists
• There is a genuine interest in the local area and people

Of course, these advantages are not a given. It is impossible to generalise such a broad group of tourism types!

There are also disadvantages of niche tourism. The main issue is the small size of businesses and an inherent over reliance on tourism.

Some of the main problems commonly noted are:

• A lack of alternative revenue streams
• Too many visitors are attracted
• Niche businesses take business away from elsewhere
• Some niches are not environmentally friendly, such as golf tourism.
• Small visitor numbers means that the economic benefits are limited
• Niche tourism activities can come in and out of ‘fashion’ and popularity

Ultimately, it is careful tourism planning and sustainable tourism management that will reduce any negative impacts of tourism. Therefore, it is actually a misconception that niche tourism is better than mass tourism. This statement is unfounded and is totally depends on the type of tourism that is in question.

There are many examples of niche tourism around the world.

Below I have listed some of the most common types of niche tourism. I’ve written in depth articles about many of these- click on the links to learn more!

• Adventure tourism
• Ancestry tourism
• Couchsurfing
• Cruise tourism
• Cultural tourism
• Dark tourism
• Disaster tourism
• Educational tourism
• Enclave tourism
• Food tourism
• Health tourism
• Homestay tourism
• Insta tourism
• Pro-poor tourism
• Rural tourism
• Sex tourism
• Slow tourism
• Smart tourism
• Space tourism
• Sustainable tourism
• Volunteer tourism
• Virtual tourism
• Bike-packing

If you are interested in learning more about this important industry, I recommend the two texts outlined below.

Niche Tourism: Contemporary Issues, Trends and Cases- provides an integrated picture of speciality/niche tourism as a whole looking at both the ‘macro’ and ‘micro’ niche area. It has a comprehensive theoretical framework, and discusses initiatives, policies and strategies adopted internationally. With an emphasis on linking theory to practice, it is underpinned by up-to-date international case studies from around the world.

The Long Tail of Tourism: Holiday Niches and their Impact on Mainstream – The ‘long tail’ of holiday offerings implies dramatic shifts in the sector’s concentration levels and its competitive dynamics. In order to examine the applicability and validity of this scenario, a number of key holiday niches are examined in terms of their demand development, supplier landscapes, operational challenges and future potential.

Liked this article? Click to share!

Travel Niche: What It Is, How to Leverage It, Case Studies & More

What is the Travel Niche

Identifying a travel niche, benefits and challenges, developing a niche-focused strategy, measuring success, case studies.

Niche travel is one of the few travel sectors that have maintained their pre-COVID market growth. By catering to specific traveler segments, niche travel developed products around adventure travel, eco-tourism, LGBTQ+ travel, and wellness retreats. Take adventure tourism as only one segment of the niche tourism market. 

In 2021, it reached 288 billion in size, and it’s projected to reach 2,824 billion by 2030 . The other niche travel subsectors follow similar growth and expansion trends. What does it mean? The niche travel demand is growing, and it’s an excellent opportunity for your travel brand to capitalize on this trend. 

Niche travel is a specific business methodology that travel brands can implement to reach new consumers and expand their revenue streams. It’s a simple concept to grasp – to be a niche travel agency, you must specialize in specific travel types and particular demographics. What does it mean precisely?

For instance, if you want to cater to a specific demographic, you can introduce packages and experiences catering to the needs of elderly consumers. Alternatively, you can focus on developing and offering products in a narrow category , such as adventure travel or a road trip. In either case, you are now considered a niche travel agency.

Why go through the trouble of doing it, though? As mentioned above, it’s an expanding market with many opportunities to pursue. It can help boost your revenue, expand your reach, and build a recognizable brand image. 

Now, if you find the travel niche an attractive business strategy, you must identify a travel niche to target. According to the reports from July 2023 , there are over ten travel niche segments currently popular among consumers. Eccentric eating and spiritual stay are the most popular, as 47% and 44% of survey respondents say they are most interested in these niche travel experiences.

Solo travel, for instance, is becoming more popular as we speak, and 80% of solo travelers are millennials . The other popular travel niche trips include health hiatus, silent retreat, wilderness survival school, extraterrestrial exploration, experimental wellness, virtual vacation, and transformation vacation.

How do you identify the niche market within your market of interest? You don’t do it on a hunch or copy/paste the competitors’ strategy. Instead, you need data to make informed business decisions; for data, you need thorough market research. Here is a blueprint to follow:

• Research different niche markets – make a list of the niche markets that interest you and learn as much as you can about them (who would be your competitors, what the competitors are doing, are they profitable, and who would your potential customers be);
• Evaluate your interests – you must be passionate about your niche travel strategy to succeed. That’s why you need to evaluate your interests and stick to travel niches that personally interest you;
• Market trends and demand – the next step is to analyze market trends such as supply and demand. It will help you better understand travelers’ behavior;
• Identify opportunities and challenges in travel niches – once you’ve narrowed down your options, try to identify all the opportunities and challenges for every travel niche;
• Make a decision – use all the data you’ve gathered to choose a niche tourism market to penetrate.

The best way to understand it is to closely examine one of the niche travel examples. One of the most popular luxury niche travel agencies out there is Scott Dunn. What you can learn from their strategy is that it’s ongoing research focusing on surveys and in-person interviews. 

The needs and expectations of luxurious niche travelers are constantly changing, and to deliver the products they want, you need to constantly re-discover their needs. This strategy can also work with other niche travel segments, given that all consumers, despite their paycheck, tend to change their niche travel preferences over time. 

Here are a few tools and methodologies to help you out with your research:

• Create a buyer persona – use tools such as the one Hubspot provides to create your buyer persona;
• Identify and research competition – tools such as Adthena can help you understand what your competition does to succeed; 
• Launch on-site intercept surveys – use your website to launch intercept surveys and collect the data from consumers with the intent to shop for niche travel products;
• Structure your dat a – once you have all the data, you can use tools such as Google Looker Studio to structure your findings;
• Travel and tourism market research firms – if you can do it internally, you can outsource your entire research to a reputable partner;
• Keyword research – discover keywords relevant to your target travel niche to use in content across your online presence (Google Adwords, Answer the Public, Semrush, and Agreft).

Many travel agents pursue niche tourism opportunities based only on the benefits they offer. While knowing the benefits is certainly important, learning about the challenges that await you down the road is also essential. Let’s see what benefits and challenges you should expect. 

Pursuing niche travel opportunities can help you unlock a range of benefits. The most noteworthy ones include the following:

• Targeting a more defined audience – build stronger connections and loyalty with customers because you offer personalized products and experiences;
• Competitive advantage – since you are going to focus on a niche, you can come up with a unique selling proposition and easily differentiate your brand from the competition;
• Improved bottom line – you will be able to execute a premium pricing strategy because you will be offering exclusive experiences;
• Become an industry expert – once you focus on a particular niche, your brand will develop expertise in a narrow area. You will build meaningful relationships with local communities, reflecting the experiences you sell and making them more authentic.

Here are the most noteworthy challenges that await you should you decide to stir your travel business toward niche travel:

• The market is smaller – instead of focusing on a broad market, you will be focused on a narrow market, which can prove challenging if you want to scale your business;
• Demand – some niche travel markets come with cyclical demand, which makes it hard to ensure repeat business throughout a year;
• Requirement for specialized knowledge – operating in a narrow market requires specialized knowledge, which calls for trained, knowledgeable, and experienced staff;
• Competition – some travel niches are overwhelmed by the competition. You will need to consistently adapt and shift strategies to attract consumers.

If you’ve decided to move towards a niche travel market, you will have to develop a niche-focused strategy. The one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work here because you are trying to cater to the specific needs, wants, and expectations of a smaller group of people. You must cast a narrower net, but it must be fail-proof. 

How do you achieve it? Develop your own strategies from scratch.

That’s where your market research data comes in handy. More specifically, the data about your target travelers. The foundation of your strategy should be based on their preferences and behaviors. You need to know where they like to travel, how they want to spend time at the destination, their expectations of transport and accommodation, etc.

Don’t forget to research their behaviors, too. You need to know how often they travel and what activities they are interested in. Do they prefer knowledgeable guides, or do they like to explore destinations at their own pace and find out things by themselves? 

Once you have this data, you can craft unique and tailored experiences. What does it mean exactly? Well, your entire travel product, including transportation, should reflect your target market’s preferences and behaviors. 

Finally, you want to market your products . Your market research data should tell you where your target audience prefers to hang out. It can help you narrow down digital market channel options to relevant ones to maximize your reach, impressions, and conversion rates. You have several options here:

• Pay-per-click marketing – you can target relevant keywords with a PPC campaign to reach the right audience;
• Social media marketing – you can leverage social media platforms to spread the word to the target market;
• Influencer marketing – cooperating with an influencer your target audience follows on social media can net you new customers;
• Guides and inspiration – you can create and share guides regarding your travel products to inspire travelers with the intent to book their travels with you;
• Long-term SEO – you can target the relevant keywords and use them in your blog posts to execute a long-term SEO strategy and establish your travel brand as a leader in the chosen niche travel market.

You shouldn’t leave anything to chance as a serious contender in the chosen niche travel market. You should monitor your marketing efforts and measure success at every step of the way. The easiest way to do it is to use Google Analytics with your website.

While we won’t go in-depth with Google Analytics and how to use it, it’s essential to know the key performance indicators you should monitor:

• Users – this metric tells you the number of unique website visitors;
• Bounce rate – the bounce rate metric enables you to measure the percentage of visitors that decided to leave your website without interacting with a webpage they were viewing;
• Conversions – it tells you how many users complete a specific action (download brochure, sign up for email newsletter, or book a trip with you);
• Channels – this is probably the most important metric to check regularly, as it tells you where your visitors come from. It can help you gauge the success of every marketing effort. For instance, you can see exactly how many visitors came through the PPC campaign and how many of those that came converted.

There is no rule of thumb regarding niche metrics , as you will be tracking the metrics relevant to your business. For instance, if you are targeting solo female travelers, you want to track the number of solo female travelers served or track the number of student groups served if you target the segment of students.

Tracking a niche metric enables you to make sure your marketing strategy hits the sweet spot. If you see an increase in customers from a niche market, you are on the right track. Otherwise, you must revisit your strategy and discover why it fails to deliver.

If we are to talk about numbers, there is no better niche travel agency to take as an example than Black Tomato. Black Tomato specializes in offering unique and personalized travel experiences. Their strategy was to offer relevant content to potential customers. 

The brand focused on two categories – “to get lost” and “to disappear”. This strategy proved essential for Black Tomato’s success, enabling the company to capture 75% more sales the following year . They also used the funds to expand, launching Epic Tomato and Beach Tomato, the two additional niche travel agencies.

Besides Scott Dunn and Black Tomato niche travel agencies that are leaders in the sectors, there are other brands you can learn from and use as inspiration. Let’s name a few.

Exodus Travels

Many niche travelers think of Exodus Travel when they think of offbeat destinations. It’s a renowned niche travel brand focused on adventures that are planned in great detail. By staying so narrowly focused on unique adventurous experiences, Exodus Travel managed to get ahead of the competition and emerge as a leader in the field. 

The lesson that you can learn from Exodus Travel is that you should deliver what your target market expects of you. In their case, it’s expert itineraries and fostering a sense of community . Exodus Travels also excels at managing its presence in the media. Their recent earned media campaign got the brand widespread news coverage .

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid is another niche travel brand focusing on culturally immersive small-group travel. The two pillars of Intrepid Travels’ success are community engagement and responsible tourism . This brand truly shows what it means to be devoted to ethical tourism.

Intrepid Travel stands out from the crowd by enabling travelers to have authentic interactions with local cultures.

Audley Travel

Audley Travel is a luxury niche travel brand. The brand’s success lies in destination expertise and highly personalized service. Audley Travel’s personalization game is on another level. Yes, the company thrives on making personalized bespoke experiences. However, they even offer seamless payment journeys for their customers . 

The company has specialists that have direct communication with customers. This approach enables the brand to appear caring and trustworthy.

Now that you better understand the travel niche, you might consider targeting a niche market. The niche travel demand continues to grow month after month. As you can see, you can unlock many benefits, including getting a competitive advantage and improving the bottom line.

Identifying your target niche travel market and doing market research is crucial to success. Focusing on a market you are passionate about will help you navigate the challenges and offer travelers something unique.

Developing the right business and marketing strategies can help you navigate the competitive landscape and become one of the noteworthy niche travel brands.

If you want to differentiate your brand from the competitors within a niche, you should pursue one or the combination of the following strategies: offer specialized experiences and services, personalize offers to create bespoke experiences, deliver exceptional customer services, leverage storytelling to share compelling narratives, and leverage latest marketing trends.

Fortunately for the entire travel sector, the post-pandemic period is quite good in terms of market growth. Today’s emerging travel niches include sustainable travel, remote work travel, wellness tourism, and outdoor and adventure travel.

Niche travel agencies can leverage proven strategies to maintain a loyal customer base within a travel niche, including providing consistent quality, personalized engagement, and exclusive benefits. You should also have an ongoing feedback & improvement strategy to identify pain points and enhance your offer.

Search engine marketing is your go-to platform because it provides consistent results. However, since it takes time for your SEM strategy to deliver, you should focus on other platforms such as social media, specialized forums and blogs, and influencer partnerships.

Good collaboration with local communities starts with listening to their feedback. The niche travel experiences will be more authentic and delightful if you are on good terms with the locals. Sustainability practices can also help you minimize the negative impact on the local environment. You can also leverage relationships with the locals to create partnerships and foster involvement.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Yay you are now subscribed to our newsletter.

Marc Truyols has a degree in Tourism from the University of the Balearic Islands. Marc has extensive experience in the leisure, travel and tourism industry. His skills in negotiation, hotel management, customer service, sales and hotel management make him a strong business development professional in the travel industry.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

Related Posts

4 Lessons You Can Learn From the Best Tourism Campaigns

13 min. Businesses in the tourism industry rely heavily on marketing to generate leads and boost conversion rates. Tourism marketing is as old as tourism itself – and it always reflects the destination and service benefits relevant to the current travelers’ needs, wants, and expectations. In other words, tourism campaigns must constantly move forward, and […]

The Vital Role of Market Segmentation in the Tourism Industry

15 min. The tourism industry is an ever-growing and competitive landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses operating within it. This is where market segmentation comes in handy. In this blog post, we will discuss what market segmentation is, the importance of market segmentation in the tourism industry, and how online travel agencies can […]

This is the Way to Create Memorable Customer Journeys in Travel and Tourism

21 min. The travel and tourism industry is an increasingly competitive space, with customers expecting more personalized and memorable experiences from their trips. With the rise of technology and social media, travelers have greater access to information and a wider range of options than ever before. Journey mapping offers travel agencies a way to gain […]

• Host Agencies
• Accelerator Course
• Travel Jobs
• Travel Agent Chatter
• Etiquette & Rules
• Privacy Policy

Find a Travel Niche: A Step-by-Step Guide

I am a HUGE advocate of agents finding a travel niche. I push for it for multiple reasons—one of which is that having a niche makes it easier to find a host agency  that fits your needs (one of the main points of my site). If that didn't get your tail wagging in excitement, I'm sure the fact that having a travel niche makes it easier to grow your agency—allowing you to make more money—will do the trick. 😊

Repeat after Me: A Travel Niche Isn't Scary.

With internet competition, being an expert helps you differentiate.

Do me a favor. When you think niche, don't get all stressed and think it needs to be something off-the-wall like scholar tours to medieval battle sites.  Your travel niche doesn't need to be complicated or rare (but it can be). Niche travel can mean you're specializing in a certain demographic, a type of travel, a destination, or any other number of things.

Put simply, having a travel niche means you put boundaries on what you sell. It can be a broad niche (luxury travel) or a niche with a narrow focus (educational tours for ESL students). You can't be an expert on everything, so narrow it down and decide what you will be an expert on. With internet competition, being an expert helps you differentiate.

Passion. Passion. Passion!

Finding a piece in the niche travel pie isn't as hard as you might think. With the millions of hobbies, destinations, and types of travelers there are possibilities abound. The key to finding a successful niche for your agency is making sure it's not only a niche but that your heart is into it.

With the millions of hobbies, destinations, and types of travelers the possibilities are abound.

I started a side business earlier in my career. It had great potential, yet it flopped. There was demand, no competition, and I had relationships with my potential buyers. So why did it flop? In hindsight, it's obvious—I didn't have the passion for it. That was a big lesson for me.

When you choose a travel niche, look beyond if there is a market and how much competition you face. Don't forget to make sure you have an undying passion for that niche.

Need a little inspiration? Take a listen to our podcast ( listen to more episodes ) with Boutique Japan and how they found their niche:

Or hear about how a former WestJet employee changed his love of aviation into a travel agency that only sells air while charging a $60-500 CAD ticketing fee per ticket.

DeJuan Shorter, travel advisor and owner of The Timely Traveler, stumbled on his niche: sabbatical travel. Take a look at how that happened in the video below:

Or what about Molly Williams, CEO of The Optimists Travel, who, when she decided it was time to get off the road and settle down at home to start her family, started a travel agency focused on moving bands and their crews across the US and the world during their tours?

Examples of Travel Niches

We had a great idea come in from an advisor taking our 7 Day Set Up program ! Here we have this great article and even a freak'n brainstorming exercise for you... but we don't give examples of any of the common niches in the travel industry. #fail

So, I'm happy to announce, with the help of a 7DSer, we finally got smart. In fact, we took it a step further to create an entire pdf list of niche examples, under some umbrella categories. Is it exhaustive? No. But will it get your niche gears going? I sure hope so! Just click below on the image to download it!

Use these as a guide but don't feel like you have to be limited to these by any means. Remember, this is YOUR business and you get to design it the way you believe is best!

Finding a Travel Niche—A Brainstorming Guide

How in the world can you find your travel niche? Don't worry, I've got a little How to Find a Travel Niche Worksheet to help you. We're going to go over how to do the worksheet below but if you'd like an example, you can also download our completed sample worksheet to see how we did it.

Want to fill one out for yourself? You can download HAR's "Find a Travel Niche Worksheet" below! (If you're drawing a blank, don't worry. We go through the worksheet step by step to help get your brain revving with ideas.)

Below you can subscribe to get HAR's niche worksheet PDF! Just enter your info and it will land in your inbox in a jiffy (new subscribers will need to confirm their subscription, first!).

Below we chat through the worksheet's steps to help get your creativity flowing.

Step 1: Brainstorming Your Travel Niche

Here's a little fodder to help fuel ideas for each of the columns in the worksheet:

Hobbies Column

We already discussed that passion was key to a successful niche. This column helps identify what you love to do, your strengths, and where you're considered an expert already.

• What are you passionate about? (e.g. politics, gymnastics, stitching)
• What do you have in-depth knowledge of? (e.g. wines, gardening, fishing, maritime history)
• What are you good at? (e.g. cooking, stand-up comedy, building rockets) 
• What do you do in your free time? (e.g. genealogy, write, read wedding magazines)

Write down all answers that come to mind without passing judgment. That means adding underwater basket weaving without questioning if it's a passion or just a fad. (Though we really hope it's a fad.)

Network Column

You can be successful without a network but it's much harder since you have to build trust and establish your expertise. Utilizing the networks you already have in place—or ones you can easily break into—is going to save you a lot of time, energy, and money. The most successful agents have an existing network that they were immediately able to market to. This column helps you recognize your connections.

What business networks do you belong to? (e.g. BNI, union, boards)

• What events have you attended recently? (e.g. PTO meeting, tweetup, dog training class)
• What are the common hobbies of your friend groups? (e.g. Hiking, golfing, drinking, scuba diving)
• What groups do you belong to? (e.g. Cancer support group, ski club, bible study) 
• What groups/networks do your close family/friends belong to? (e.g. Your kids, partner, parents, neighbors)

Another one to check out is your FB network. And I've got sad news for you here. It used to be a lot easier to map connections but FB made a change to their API in early 2015 that doesn't allow APIs to pull data on your friends. 🙁 It was SO much easier before! But here's how you can do it manually: 

Manually go through FB friends:  

Tedious, I know. You can either look through your friend list on FB or you can download the data. How do you download your Facebook friends?

• Make sure you are logged in to your Facebook account.
• Click on the “Account” profile pic icon at the top right portion of your screen.
• Go to >>> “Settings & Privacy” then go to >>> "Settings"
• This will bring you to "General Account Settings." From here you click on >>>"Your Facebook Information" (this is below "General Account Settings" on the left)
• On this page, you'll go to >>>"Download Your Account Information ."
• Once you're on this page, you need to enter a date range at the top of the page. From here you can select what info you want to include in your download. For the purposes of this exercise, I recommend at the very least:
• Collaborations
• Friends & Followers
• Once you've made all the selections you want to download, click on the button at the very bottom of the screen >>> "Request Your Download." Once your file is ready, they will send you a notification (mine only took a minute to create).

There are a ton of options for what you can include in your download! It nothing else, it will refresh your memory on groups, hobbies, events, and individuals you've been connected to in the past that may not be top of might!

Destinations Column

Since a travel niche can be a certain destination, this will help uncover any themes in what type of destinations you like.

• Of the places you've been to, what are your favorites?
• What places are you dying to see?
• What do the destinations you listed above have in common? (e.g. castles, weather, good food)

Since we're all travel lovers, this one can get long. If it does, don't worry. Write them all down now and you can go back and group them into common themes later.

Type of Travel Column

This one is a bit harder to explain. I like to think of it as the icing on the cake. It's just another way to discover what type of travel you enjoy and add that as an element to your niche. Consider these questions:

• Is there a particular demographic you'd like to sell to? (e.g. families/groups, seniors, music lovers)
• What price tag would you feel comfortable selling? On this one, don't be afraid to push your comfort zone. Many agents make the mistake of pushing their spending habits on their clients. (e.g. luxury, bargain)
• What type of travel do you enjoy? (e.g. adventure, all-inclusive, tours, groups, independent)

Whew! You're done. Time to take a little break. Come back in 2 days with a fresh mind and run through it again—you'll be surprised what a few days of sitting on it can do for new ideas.

Step 2: Connecting the Dots to Find Your Travel Niche

Now that you've got your list you're going, it's time to take a look and circle the top 3 hobbies and top 3 destinations you're most passionate about.  Don't worry if you have more or less, you can always adjust this next step to work with your chosen hobbies/destinations.

On page 2 of the Finding Your Travel Niche Worksheet, we'll be focusing on actual niche possibilities. Typically, they will come from one of your hobbies and/or destinations. We've created a nice little template on page 2 for you to put your top hobbies and destinations. Each hobby and destination you circled gets its own box. You'll be filling in each box with relevant list items that you have on page 1.

I found it easiest (and more fun!) to cut out the boxes so I could easily move them around. Specifically, I would take one box at a time to work on, place it on page 1 and go down my lists to see which items fit with that box's hobby or destination. If you're working on a hobby, take a look at the Destinations column first. If your box is for a destination, start with the hobby column.

To start, you're looking for connections between your columns. The common factor between those columns is they're all driven by some sort of passion—a must to be successful. Write down the topics that fit together well in your Niche Possibilities boxes. 

Warning: Some of your topics may just never pan out. You can always come back if inspiration strikes on something you thought was a dead end. For me, I could not think of a way to incorporate my love of dogs into a travel niche I would enjoy. Finding dog-friendly hotels around the US or learning the rules of moving dogs around? No thanks.

Narrowing it Down Even Further

Once you've put together some possibilities from your hobbies and destinations columns, you're going to add your travel type column into the mix. This narrows the funnel even more. Does your current list of hobbies/destination groupings fit into the type of travel you want to sell? For instance, my ski hobby and cold weather destinations fit well with my love of adventure and group travel.

Don't feel that you can only pick one item from each column. You can mix and match with multiple topics from each column to create your travel niche.

If you can't find an obvious fit, look for a way to customize it to fit your passions or set it aside.

One last thing. Don't feel that you can only pick one item from each column. You can mix and match with multiple topics from each column to create your travel niche. You could have adventure travel for groups and singles to a certain destination. Or trips for women-only to multiple destinations. It's up to you.

The Final Test

The hope is that since your circles in life are usually based on common interests, you'll have some networks already in place—people who see you as the expert for your niche.

Your possibilities should be looking great. Mouth-watering, actually. Now the final test to see if this is a realistic possibility is to think about how easy it's going to be to find clients. You want to find out if you have an existing network to tap into. So let's take a look at your network column.

The hope is that since your circles in life are usually based on common interests, you'll have some networks already in place—people that see you as the expert for your niche or participate in your hobby with you.

If you do find some networks that work, write them in the box.

If you don't have a network, all is not lost. Having an existing network helps tremendously but not having one shouldn't deter you. Brainstorm ways you can break into that niche's target market. Don't forget to check the InMap and Facebook Map we discussed above to find people that may be able to open up doors for you.

Your Niche List

As I started filling in the boxes I would think of other ideas that weren't originally on my lists but I thought would really fit in well with that box. Don't be afraid to add them! That's the best part of brainstorming, you never know where it's going to lead!

This worksheet should leave you with a decent list of travel niche possibilities. And not just any travel niches, but well thought out niches that fit your personality and that you believe in. If you had a really hard time narrowing your list down to just 3 hobbies and 3 destinations, or maybe you had 5 destinations that most interested you, don't worry. Print off as many copies of page 2 as you need but remember, the point of this exercise is to narrow it down to those you are most passionate about!

Next up, you need to sit down and decide which travel niches are most feasible, work with your lifestyle, and start doing some competitive intelligence! Maybe it's time to choose a travel agency name ? Or learn more about starting a travel agency from home?

Need More Guidance Starting an Agency?

Finding a niche is just one piece of a very complex puzzle of starting an agency. If you're wanting more help nailing down a niche to help get your agency off the ground, check out HAR's new course on starting an agency, The 7 Day Set Up Accelerator Course .

The course is written and taught by yours truly and Bridget Lee, a professional educator with deep roots in the travel industry. Maybe you notice a last name similarity? We're sisters and we both came up in a family that is deeply rooted in the industry. Check it out !

Congrats—you made it through! I hope I encouraged you to find a travel niche for your travel agency and led you through how to find one you love. When starting up, it's easy to fall prey to the "I'll take any booking I can get" mentality and avoid a niche. Start strong and know exactly what your business is and where you want to go with it. Good luck and let me know what travel niche you end up with!  Find me on  Facebook ,  LinkedIn and Instagram .

Photo Credit:  Jniceliem

[Editor's note: This post was originally published Aug. 14th, 2012, and was updated on publish date listed.]

About the Author

Steph grew up in the travel industry, helping on and off with her mom's homebased travel agency. She has worked with thousands of agents in her role as a former host agency director before leaving in 2012 to start HAR. She's insatiably curious, loves her pups Fennec and Orion, and -- in case you haven't noticed -- is pretty quirky and free-spirited.

If you’re looking for Steph, she leaves a trace where ever she goes! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (her fav) and Pinterest as 'iamstephly'. 🙂 You can also catch her on her Substack, Bumblin' Around, where she writes on things outside the world of HAR.

• Travel Agent Basics

Top 40 Travel and Tourism Niches: Which One Are You?

Not too long ago, travel and adventure meant going out of your small town (be it even to the nearby woods ). You left the comfort and safety behind and took significant risks, especially if you traveled solo.

Today, numerous travel niches have become popular, each with its own tourism appeal and unique perspective that it offers.

In this post, I will list the major types of travels that I consider to be broad enough to deserve a mention as a travel niche. These tourism niches have big enough market demand to sustain as an independent category on their own.

Travel Niches & Trends

• Adventure Travel – Adventure tourism is the fastest growing and biggest travel niche today
• Nature and Wildlife Tourism (aka Ecotourism) – another trend which will continue to grow
• Cultural Tourism – traveling for the purpose of exploring various culture, and cultural & world heritage sites  
• Medical, Dental, & Fertility Tourism – traveling for medical purposes
• Wellness Tourism – traveling to seek tranquility, healing, meditation, and nature retreats
• Music (and Music Festivals) Tourism – popular with young adults
• Culinary Tourism – traveling for food, to eat well is to live well
• Wine, Cheese, & Beer Tourism – traveling to taste different wines from different regions
• Nightlife and Party Tourism – traveling to various party destinations 
• Roadtripping – traveling by car with a group of friends 
• Extreme Sports Tourism – traveling to mountains
• Highpointing – Hiking, climbing, or driving to the highest elevation point of a state, country or continent
• Sports Tourism (Golf, etc.) – either to play or watch
• Shopping Tourism – traveling exclusively for shopping purposes
• Religious Pilgrimages – walking, biking, or traveling to religious & spiritual sites

• Off-the-Grid Travel – traveling to and living off the grid in a minimalistic way
• Scenic Train Travel – touristy scenic train rides with focus on dining & wining
• Space Tourism – exploring the outer atmosphere, earth from above, and outer space
• Bookstores & Literary Tourism – visiting cool bookstores and fictional or real sites related to books and authors
• Tolkien Tourism – exploration of Tolkien’s middle earth and LOTR related sites
• Volunteer Travel – traveling & volunteering to work on non-profit charity projects
• Film & TV Tourism – traveling to various film and TV series filming sites (eg. Game of Thrones )
• Archaeology & History Tourism – traveling to ancient ruins, archeological sites, and historical places
• Ghost, UFO, & Haunted Tourism – traveling to haunted places and UFO siting sites
• Genealogy Tourism – tracing or returning to your roots
• Jungle Tourism – traveling and camping in the deep and remote jungles 
• Underwater Tourism – exploring the marine life and ocean through Scuba, Snuba, Snorkeling
• Shark Tourism – seeking underwater thrills & shark encounters across the globe
• Rural and Village Tourism – countryside relaxation 
• Astronomy Tourism – visiting sites that provides excellent views of the stars and night sky
• Inner city Tourism – exploring your own town or city in great details 
• Weekend Tourism – traveling every weekend (mostly nearby attractions)
• Ghetto Tourism – traveling & exploring the living conditions in slums and ghetto

Deviant & Sad Trends

A beautiful ruin 

I was debating at first whether to lost the following sad trends or not? Listing them will give them more exposure, so at first, I thought I will leave them out. But then I thought, these trends are actually growing (financially speaking) so closing my eyes to these problems will not help solve these issues.

The best thing I can do is to use this platform and bring public awareness about these. Some of these may sound harmless or even exciting (drugs and sex for example), but please understand that both drugs and sex causes overall more damage, deaths, and harm to innocent lives (including children).

The best way you can help is first by not participating in them and therefore cutting off the financial incentive. Second, you can be aware that these problems exist and thus help to spread the word. (Fact:  Even in Prague or Amsterdam , most of the girls working in the red light district are there against their will via deception, bribery, and manipulation.)

• Drug Tourism – mostly illegal and unsafe, please use common sense
• Sex Tourism (Male, Female, Trans) – again, please use common sense. Do not do anything that hurts other humans
• Dark Voyegeristic Tourism (Underground shady fights, deaths, & stuff) – please do not support or fund this industry by partaking in it. Anyone can be the next innocent victim of it
• War & Disaster Tourism – visiting sites with tragic past for pleasure (War, disaster, & genocidal sites, Nazi camps, etc.)
• Suicide Tourism (Important: if you are feeling suicidal, know that you’re not alone and confidential help is available for free. Please seek help. US Helpline | HelpGuide  | Resource Center )
• Hunting Tourism ( The Big 5 Games ) – traveling to mainly Africa ( South Africa , Tanzania , Kenya , Zimbabwe , Botswana , etc.) to hunt rare and endangered species such as Elephants, Lions, Rhinos among others. *Hunting* is very common in North America and Europe .

*Hunting is a personal choice. It’s a complex issue and would need an entire blog to discuss the various impacts and issues surrounding it. If you are not a hunter, please do not partake and support this industry.

As a starting point, please follow the first rule of life, do not kill life unless it is for your own or your family’s survival and safety . Also, the above category is about hunting the big animals (man of them endangered and at the point of extinction).

March 2, 2018 12:09 pm Published by Art Of Travel 3 Comments

Join the Travel Club

Categorized in: Trip Ideas , Travel Inspiration , Travel FAQ , Did You Know

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Resources and Links

• Write for Us
• Advertising
• Apply Tourist Visa
• Global Travel Alerts
• World Climate Guide
• Adventure Travel
• Press Bio/Media Kit
• Useful Travel Resources
• Common Travel Questions
• List of All Blogs
• Travel Bucket List
• Couple Goals

How to choose a travel niche: Exploring niche tourism in the travel Industry

• June 2, 2023

Niche markets in the travel industry are specialised segments that cater to specific interests, demographics, or travel styles. They help businesses in the industry target their offerings and better cater to their customers’ needs.

This article aims to explore the concept of these niche markets. It seeks to illustrate how they function, their increasing popularity, and their role in shaping the future of tourism. 

What is niche tourism?

Niche travel and niche tourism refer to specialised travel experiences catering to a specific interest, activity, or demographic group. Rather than offering broad, one-size-fits-all travel experiences, niche tourism providers deliver tailored services and packages to accommodate their target market’s unique preferences and needs. This can encompass numerous specialisations, from adventure or eco-tourism to wellness, cultural, and food tourism.

Importance of choosing a travel niche

Choosing a travel niche is important for both travel providers and travellers for several reasons:

• Customer satisfaction: Tailored services and packages increase the likelihood of customer satisfaction as they align more closely with individual interests and expectations
• Market differentiation: In a highly competitive industry, carving out a niche allows businesses to distinguish themselves from competitors, positioning them as experts in a particular area
• Increased loyalty: Niche travel experiences can foster increased customer loyalty, as customers who have had their specific needs and interests met are more likely to return
• Sustainable business growth: Focusing on a niche can help travel providers achieve sustainable business growth. They can better understand their market, streamline their offerings, and refine their marketing strategies, leading to more efficient operations and stronger customer relationships
• Enhanced experiences for travellers: Choosing a niche allows them to have more personalised and enriching experiences. They can immerse themselves more deeply in their interests and activities, resulting in more fulfilling journeys

Understanding niche travel

Niche travel is hugely significant for both travellers and travel industry providers for several reasons:

• Personalisation: Niche travel allows for customised experiences that cater to specific interests, creating a more personalised and enjoyable travel experience
• Expertise: Niche travel companies often have a high level of expertise in their particular area, enabling them to provide  in-depth experiences and knowledge
• Community: Travellers with shared interests can form a sense of community, enhancing their overall travel experience

Differentiating niche travel from mainstream tourism

Niche travel and mainstream tourism differ in several key aspects:

• Broad vs Specialised: Mainstream tourism caters to a wide audience and typically includes popular destinations, attractions and experiences. Niche travel, on the other hand, is specialised, targeting a specific demographic, interest, activity or offbeat destination
• Mass market vs Personalised: Mainstream tourism is often mass-market-oriented with broad appeal, whereas niche travel focuses on delivering personalised experiences
• Generic vs Unique: Mainstream tourism often offers generic, one-size-fits-all experiences. In contrast, niche travel focuses on unique experiences tailored to the specific interests or needs of the traveller

Exploring the concept of experiential and specialised travel

Experiential and specialised travel, often considered a subset of niche travel, prioritises unique, immersive experiences:

Experiential travel

This form of travel prioritises personal and unique experiences over sightseeing. The goal is to immerse oneself in the local culture, meet the locals, and engage in activities characteristic of the destination.

Specialised travel

Specialised travel focuses on a specific interest or activity, such as wine tasting, skiing, horse riding, cooking, yoga, dancing, wildlife photography, or yoga retreats. These tours are typically led by experts in the field and offer a deep dive into the particular interest.

In both experiential and specialised travel, the emphasis is on creating meaningful, personal experiences rather than just visiting a destination.

Benefits of choosing a travel niche

There are many benefits to be gained from choosing a travel niche to focus on. 

Personal fulfilment and passion-driven travel experiences

Choosing a travel niche allows for deeply personal, fulfilling experiences that cater to one’s passions and interests. A culinary enthusiast may opt for food tourism, for example, immersing themselves in the local cuisine of different regions, thereby enriching their gastronomic knowledge and skills. The connection between personal passion and travel provides a unique, deeply satisfying experience that extends beyond typical sightseeing.

Building expertise and becoming an authority in a specific area

When individuals or businesses focus on a travel niche, they can develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of that area, becoming experts in that field and enhancing their reputation and credibility. For instance, a travel agency specialising in eco-tourism can accumulate a wealth of knowledge about sustainable travel practices and destinations, setting them apart from generalist competitors.

Targeting a specific audience and creating unique travel offerings

Choosing a travel niche allows businesses to target a specific audience with unique travel offerings. This specificity can aid in designing marketing campaigns and packages that speak directly to a defined group’s interests, needs, and expectations, thereby improving the effectiveness of marketing efforts. For example, a company with a niche in adventure tourism can tailor its offerings to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, providing experiences that general travel agencies might not offer.

Opportunities for collaboration and networking

Focusing on a travel niche opens opportunities for collaboration and networking. Businesses can collaborate with other organisations, cross-promote each other, and engage with influencers or thought leaders to enhance their visibility and credibility. For example, a travel agency focusing on wellness tourism might partner with yoga studios or wellness coaches to offer retreats or workshops, enhancing their services and strengthening their network.

Identifying niche markets in the travel industry

Adventure and outdoor travel.

Adventure and outdoor travel cater to individuals who crave physical activity, exploration, and nature-based experiences. It’s a broad category that can include anything from mountain climbing and hiking to off-the-beaten-path tours and camping in remote locations. Adventure travel can also involve paragliding, rock climbing, or white-water rafting, appealing to thrill-seekers and those hunting an adrenaline rush.

Culinary and food tourism

Culinary and food tourism is all about exploring a region’s culinary traditions and food culture. This type of travel involves food tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, and farm-to-table experiences. Culinary tourism allows travellers to dive deep into local food scenes, taste authentic dishes, and learn about the history and tradition behind regional cuisines.

Wellness and spa retreats

Wellness and spa retreats focus on relaxation, self-care, and holistic experiences. This market includes yoga retreats, meditation workshops, spa treatments, and other health-oriented activities that aim to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. Wellness retreats often occur in serene environments such as beach resorts or mountain lodges, offering travellers an escape from their daily routine and stress.

Cruise travel

Cruises are a popular niche market that offers unique sea experiences and can vary greatly in destinations, sizes, and themes, from luxurious world cruises to river cruises, from family-friendly cruises to expedition cruises for adventure seekers. Cruises often offer comprehensive packages that include accommodation, food, entertainment, and excursions, providing an all-in-one travel solution for many tourists.

Ski tourism

Ski tourism targets winter sports enthusiasts. Travellers might head to mountainous regions for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Ski resorts often provide comprehensive services, including equipment rental, ski lessons, accommodation, and après-ski entertainment, making it a popular choice for winter holidaymakers.

Scuba diving holidays

Scuba diving breaks cater to those who are interested in underwater exploration. Travellers often visit exotic locations known for their coral reefs, marine wildlife, and clear waters. This niche market includes the diving experience itself and often offers diving instruction, equipment rental, and other related services.

Sustainable, environmental and eco-tourism

Sustainable and eco-tourism is a rapidly growing niche in the travel industry, focusing on responsible travel practices. This niche promotes travelling in a way that respects local culture and environment, minimises impact on nature, and contributes to conserving natural and cultural heritage. Eco-tourism often involves visiting pristine, fragile, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, contributing to their preservation. Sometimes it also incorporates volunteer holidays where people spend their time helping conserve the environment.

Sports and sporting events tourism

Sports and sporting events tourism is a niche market that attracts sports enthusiasts and fans. This can involve travelling to participate in sporting activities like golf, cycling, or swimming or attending major sporting events such as the Olympics, the World Cup, or the Super Bowl. This niche often provides related services such as ticket booking, transportation, and accommodation.

Medical and wellness tourism

Medical and wellness tourism combines medical treatments with leisure travel. This niche caters to individuals who travel to receive medical treatments such as surgeries, dental procedures, or wellness therapies that may not be easily accessible or affordable in their home country. After receiving medical treatment, these travellers often take the opportunity to recuperate and relax at their destination.

Factors to consider when choosing a travel niche

When deciding which travel niche to specialise in, there are several considerations. 

Personal interests, passions, and expertise

When choosing a travel niche, it’s essential to consider one’s interests, passions, and areas of expertise. If you deeply understand and love a particular area, this can enhance your services, make your work more enjoyable, and resonate strongly with your target audience.

Market research and demand analysis

Conducting thorough market research and demand analysis is essential. Travel agents must understand the trends in the travel industry, identify which niches are growing, and assess the demand for different travel experiences. It’s also essential to consider your potential customers’ demographics, preferences, and behaviours.

Competition analysis and identifying gaps in the market

It’s important to research what other providers in your potential niche offer and identify market gaps. If there is an underserved area that aligns with your interests and expertise, this could present a unique business opportunity.

Accessibility and feasibility of the niche

Accessibility and feasibility are other crucial factors to consider. Some niches may require more resources or specific expertise to execute successfully. For instance, arranging adventure travel experiences might require extensive knowledge of safety protocols and outdoor survival skills. Assessing the feasibility of your potential niche ensures you can provide high-quality, reliable services.

Potential profitability and sustainability

While a niche might be personally fulfilling and have a good demand, it must also be financially viable for it to be a good business choice. It’s also important to consider the sustainability of the niche. Some niches may be trendy but have little long-term potential, while others, such as eco-tourism, align with long-term trends towards more sustainable and responsible travel.

Steps to choosing your travel niche

So, how do you choose your particular travel niche? 

1. Research and explore different niche markets

Your journey to choose a travel niche should start with broad research to explore different niche markets in the travel industry. This step involves learning about various travel niches, understanding what they entail, and identifying the ones that resonate with you.

2. Evaluate your personal interests, skills, and experiences

Next, evaluate your interests, skills, and experiences. Reflect on the types of travel that excite you, and consider your strengths and experiences that might contribute to success in a particular niche. This step is about identifying where your interests align with potential niche markets.

3. Analyse market trends and demand for specific niches

After identifying potential niches, you’ll want to analyse market trends and demand. Examine current trends in the travel industry, understand consumer behaviours and preferences, and determine which specialisations have strong growth potential. Market research can provide valuable insights into the demand for specific travel experiences.

4. Consider the potential challenges and opportunities within each niche

Assess the competition within the niche, identify potential entry barriers, and explore possible partnerships or collaborations. Considering challenges and opportunities can help you gauge your chosen niche’s feasibility and potential profitability.

5. Seek advice from industry experts 

Contact people already operating within your potential niche, attend industry events, or join relevant online communities. Experienced industry professionals can provide valuable insights and practical advice, helping you to avoid potential pitfalls and make informed decisions.

6. Make an informed decision based on your information

Review your research, reflect on your interests and skills, and consider the advice you’ve received. Choose the travel niche that best aligns with your passion, skills, and market demand. Remember, your chosen niche should be a viable business opportunity and something you’re excited about pursuing.

Embrace the power of niche tourism

Choosing a travel niche holds immense potential for success in the ever-evolving tourism industry. Embracing a niche that aligns with your interests and passions, and has a robust market demand, can lead to gratifying experiences and a thriving business.

The power of niche tourism lies in its ability to provide personalised, in-depth, and unique experiences beyond conventional tourism. As a franchisee with The Travel Franchise , you have the opportunity to harness this potential and can offer travel options that cater to specific interests, from adventure and outdoor activities, culinary explorations, and wellness retreats, to eco-tourism and more.

As you embark on this exciting journey in niche tourism, remember to continually monitor market trends, adapt to your customers’ evolving needs, and stay true to your passion. In doing so, you’re ready to create meaningful travel experiences that resonate with your audience and stand the test of time in this dynamic industry.

You might also like...

14 years in the business and now with a team by her side. Agata shares her tips and experience and explains why she still loves being a personal travel consultant

20 franchisees to join our charity ’Breast Trek Ever’ to Machu Picchu walking at altitude and up to nine hours in one day!

Start part time then go full time – just like Sarah who had never worked in travel before she joined us

Useful links

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Get in touch

Our friendly team are on live chat if you have any questions..

• [email protected]
• 0800 084 8128

© The Travel Franchise. We reserve right to change our packages at any time.

Learn how it works instantly!

Your instant access to all our presentations is one e-mail away!

• Privacy Overview
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can read our Privacy Policy here .

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Niche Tourism: Exploring Unique and Specialized Travel Experiences

Niche tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry, catering to specialized segments of the market. It is the antithesis of mass tourism, focusing on the needs and interests of a smaller group of travellers rather than targeting mainstream attractions and amenities. As the global middle class expands and becomes better educated, especially in developing and densely populated regions, the demand for niche tourism experiences has increased.

This type of tourism can be characterized more by the activities and experiences sought by the tourists than by their numbers in a particular destination. Examples of niche tourism include eco-tourism, culinary tourism, adventure travel, and wellness retreats. These specialized experiences allow travellers to delve deeper into a region’s culture, natural environment, or unique attractions while benefiting local communities and economies more sustainably.

The rise of niche tourism has also spurred innovation and adaptations within the industry. As a result, destinations, tour operators , and travel service providers need to rethink their approach to cater to these discerning travellers’ specific needs and interests, ensuring that their offerings resonate with the niche market and enhance their customers’ overall travel experiences.

Table of Contents

What is niche tourism.

Niche tourism refers to specialized travel experiences catering to specific interests, activities, or demographic groups . Unlike mass tourism, which targets a broad audience with generalized interests such as sightseeing, beach vacations, or cultural exploration, niche tourism focuses on delivering highly personalized experiences that meet the particular needs or desires of a smaller segment of travellers.

Whether it’s adventure tourism for thrill-seekers, ecotourism for environmentally conscious individuals, or medical tourism for those seeking affordable healthcare options abroad, niche tourism aims to offer something unique that appeals to a specific type of traveller. It often provides more in-depth, specialized, and meaningful experiences, as it takes into account the specific preferences and expectations of its target audience.

Types of Niche Tourism

Indeed, niche tourism focuses on specialized and personalized travel experiences that cater to specific interests, hobbies, or needs. The following are the various types of niche tourism:

Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism is focused on travellers seeking an adrenaline rush. This can include activities like skydiving, paragliding, scuba diving, or mountaineering. The key here is the thrill and the experience of something challenging. The destinations are often exotic or difficult to get to, and there might be a focus on natural landscapes.

Ecotourism aims to be as non-intrusive and beneficial as possible for the environment and local communities. This type of tourism might involve trips to natural reserves, rainforests, or other important ecological sites. It often includes educational components to inform travellers about the environment, local communities, and ways to protect natural resources.

Culinary Tourism

Culinary tourism revolves around food and drink experiences. This could range from high-end dining in major cities to foraging expeditions in the countryside. Food festivals, cooking classes, visits to farms, or exploring local markets could also be part of the package. Wine, beer, and spirits tasting tours are also popular.

Wellness Tourism

Wellness tourism focuses on mental and physical well-being. This could involve travel to spas, holistic health centres, or places known for natural beauty and tranquillity. Activities may include yoga retreats, detox programs, or spiritual teachings.

Dark Tourism

Dark tourism involves travel to places historically associated with tragedy, death, or disaster. Examples include concentration camps, battlefields, memorials, and sites of natural or industrial disasters. The aim is often educational and memorial rather than voyeuristic, although this can be a matter of debate and ethical consideration.

Medical Tourism

Medical tourism travels abroad to receive medical, dental, or surgical care. The reasons can vary but generally involve cost efficiency, quality of care, or availability of specialized treatments. Countries like Thailand, India, and Mexico often attract medical tourists due to the cost-effectiveness and quality of medical services.

Cultural or Heritage Tourism

This type of tourism is aimed at experiencing the culture and history of a destination. This can involve anything from visiting museums and historical sites to attending local festivals and ceremonies. Some tourists may even seek out locations that explore their ancestry.

Wildlife Tourism

Focused on wildlife and its natural habitats, this can range from safaris in Africa to bird-watching in South America. Ethical considerations are essential to ensure that wildlife and their habitats are respected and preserved.

Sport Tourism

Sports tourism encompasses a variety of activities, including participating in a sports camp, attending a major sporting event like the Olympics or World Cup, or simply touring a famous stadium. Golf tourism is a subset that deserves mention, as many travellers organize trips centred around playing at renowned golf courses.

Religious Tourism

Religious tourism involves visits to sacred sites for pilgrimage, missionary, or leisure purposes. Mecca, Vatican City, and the Ganges River are destinations that draw massive numbers of religious tourists each year.

LGBTQ Tourism

LGBTQ tourism caters to the needs and interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning community. This can range from gay-friendly hotels and beaches to events like Pride parades and LGBTQ film festivals.

Educational Tourism

Educational tourism focuses on learning experiences. This could involve studying a language abroad, participating in an archaeological dig, or taking a master’s class in photography while visiting iconic sites.

Film or TV Tourism

Some destinations attract visitors solely based on their appearance in movies or TV shows. For example, New Zealand has seen a tourism boom due to its portrayal as Middle-earth in the “Lord of the Rings” series, and fans of Korean dramas often visit filming locations in South Korea.

Wine Tourism

Wine tourism involves visiting vineyards and wineries to taste and purchase products directly from the source. It often includes guided tours explaining the wine-making process.

Activity-Based Tourism

Activity-based tourism is tailored around specific activities the tourist is interested in, such as scuba diving, fishing, or skiing.

Space Tourism

A very new and emerging type, space tourism aims to offer commercial trips outside of Earth. This is still mainly in the experimental stage but is becoming increasingly feasible.

Agri-Tourism

Agri-tourism involves participating in farm-based activities and gaining a closer look at the rural lifestyle. This can include activities like milking cows, picking fruits, and tractor rides.

Each niche tourism type has unique appeal, challenges, and ethical considerations. Understanding these can help travellers and providers create a more enriching and responsible experience.

Advantages of Niche Tourism

Niche tourism serves specialized segments within the tourism industry, catering to specific interests, demographics, or travel styles. There are several advantages that make niche tourism increasingly popular among travellers.

Firstly, niche tourism allows for a deeper, more authentic experience for travellers . Visitors can engage in activities and explore destinations that align with their passions or hobbies, such as culinary experiences, eco-tourism, or adventure sports. This personal connection can lead to a more satisfying and memorable travel experience.

Secondly, niche tourism benefits local communities by providing sustainable economic opportunities. Specialized markets often rely on small businesses and skilled artisans, which can spur job creation and economic growth.

Additionally, niche tourism helps to preserve local cultures and traditions as visitors seek to experience the authentic life and customs of the places they visit. This, in turn, encourages communities to maintain and promote their unique offerings.

Moreover, niche tourism can contribute to developing and promoting less explored destinations. By focusing on specific experiences and attractions, these destinations can differentiate their offerings from more mainstream tourist hotspots. This can lead to increased tourism revenue and economic development for lesser-known regions.

Niche tourism can also demonstrate a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. For example, eco-tourism and volunteer travel promote sustainable practices, such as resource conservation, wildlife protection, and community development initiatives. These tourism segments attract responsible, conscious travellers, reflect positively on the destinations they visit.

In summary, niche tourism offers significant advantages for travellers, local communities, and destinations. By catering to specialized markets, niche tourism enhances the overall travel experience, bolsters economies, encourages cultural preservation, fosters sustainable practices, and helps to promote lesser-known regions.

Disadvantages of Niche Tourism

Niche tourism, despite its advantages, does have certain drawbacks as well. One of the primary disadvantages of niche tourism is the  lack of economies of scale . This means that an operation with a lower production volume may face higher unit costs. Niche tourism activities tend to cater to smaller groups of tourists, leading to limited capacity for revenue generation.

Another challenge faced in niche tourism is the  lack of alternative revenue streams . Since these specialized tourism services cater to specific needs and interests, they may not easily adapt to market changes or diversify their offerings. This inflexibility can make niche tourism operations more vulnerable to economic fluctuations and industry trends.

Niche tourism can also lead to  over-reliance on a specific target market . Businesses focusing solely on niche markets may struggle to attract other types of tourists outside their specialization. This dependence on a limited market segment increases the risk of reduced revenues if the niche market experiences a downturn.

Additionally, because niche tourism focuses on specialized activities and experiences, there may be  limited access to resources, infrastructure, and expertise . This can make it challenging for niche tourism operators to maintain high levels of quality and safety, fulfil regulatory requirements, or stay up-to-date with advancements in technology and industry best practices.

Lastly, niche tourism can sometimes be at odds with  environmental sustainability . While many niche tourism products promote sustainable practices and experiences, some can have negative impacts on fragile ecosystems and local communities. For instance, certain adventure tourism activities may contribute to the degradation of natural environments by encouraging tourists to visit remote and pristine locations that may not be equipped to handle an influx of visitors.

In summary, disadvantages of niche tourism may include higher unit costs, lack of alternative revenue streams, over-reliance on a specific market, limited resources and expertise, and potential environmental impacts. While these challenges can make niche tourism less attractive for some businesses, it is essential to acknowledge these potential issues when pursuing specialized tourism operations.

Characteristics of Niche Tourism

Niche tourism is a fascinating facet of the travel industry, addressing individual tourists’ specific interests and needs rather than a generalized mass market. The defining characteristics of niche tourism include:

• Specialized Focus : Niche tourism concentrates on specific areas of interest or activities, whether wine tasting, bird watching, yoga retreats, or historical battlefield tours.
• Tailored Experiences : Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of mass tourism, niche tourism is about providing tailored experiences that cater to its target audience’s specific desires and needs.
• Smaller Scale : Generally, niche tourism attracts fewer numbers compared to mass tourism. However, the emphasis is on depth and quality of experience rather than volume.
• Engaged Audience : Tourists drawn to niche activities are usually highly engaged and passionate about their chosen area of interest. They are often willing to invest time, effort, and money into gaining a deeper understanding or more enriching experience.
• Sustainable and Responsible Practices : Many niche tourism sectors prioritize sustainability and responsibility, particularly eco-tourism, agri-tourism, or community-based tourism. They often strive for a balance that benefits the local environment, economy, and society.
• Higher Per-capita Spending : Since niche tourism offers specialized experiences, travellers are often willing to pay a premium. This can lead to higher per-capita spending compared to traditional mass tourism.
• Deep Interaction : Niche tourism often promotes a deeper interaction between the traveller and the destination. For instance, cultural tourism might involve staying with local families, attending traditional ceremonies, or learning a local craft.
• Authenticity : One of the draws of niche tourism is the pursuit of authentic experiences. Travelers seek genuine interactions and experiences that are true to the locale, culture, or activity.
• Dynamic and Evolving : As societal interests change and evolve, so do the niches within tourism. For instance, wellness tourism has surged with the growing global focus on health and well-being.
• Less Seasonal Dependence : While mass tourism might concentrate on peak seasons (like summer vacations or winter holidays), niche tourism can often transcend seasonality. For example, bird-watching might attract tourists during migration seasons, while wellness retreats can be year-round attractions.

Niche tourism is characterized by its focus on specialization, depth of experience, and often a commitment to sustainability and authenticity. It offers unique opportunities for destinations to diversify their tourist offerings and for travellers to pursue their passions in depth.

Why is Niche Tourism Growing?

Niche tourism is experiencing significant growth due to a variety of interconnected factors. One key driver is the modern traveller’s increasing desire for personalized, tailored experiences that align with specific interests- adventure, culture, or wellness. Gone are the days when one-size-fits-all vacation packages appealed to the masses. Today, travellers seek unique, specialized experiences that cater to their tastes and preferences.

The rise of the internet and social media platforms has also played a crucial role in niche tourism’s growth. These platforms have democratized information, making it easier for travellers to discover and access specialized experiences. For niche tourism operators, digital platforms offer a cost-effective way to market unique offerings to a global audience, enlarging their customer base.

The quest for authenticity is another contributing factor. Today’s travellers are increasingly seeking “real,” meaningful experiences that allow for a deeper engagement with a destination’s culture, history, or natural environment. Niche tourism typically offers these kinds of in-depth, authentic experiences, whether participating in a traditional tea ceremony in Japan or trekking through a rainforest in Costa Rica.

Sustainability concerns have also given niche tourism a significant boost. With a growing global awareness of environmental issues, many travellers are seeking sustainable forms of tourism . Types of niche tourism like ecotourism, which focuses on environmental conservation and responsible travel, have seen a surge in popularity as a result.

Changes in demographics and lifestyle are also playing a role. As populations in many parts of the world age, and as people become more health-conscious, sectors like wellness and medical tourism are booming. Moreover, the economic benefits of niche tourism make it attractive for destinations. Specialized tourism often attracts a type of traveller willing to spend more on specialized experiences, helping to diversify a destination’s tourist income and making it less dependent on mass tourism.

Word-of-mouth recommendations and social media sharing of unique and specialized experiences effectively serve as free marketing for niche tourism. These shared experiences inspire and encourage more people to opt for specialized, off-the-beaten-path experiences.

The growth in niche tourism can be attributed to a combination of technological, social, and economic factors that have converged to make specialized travel more desirable and accessible.

The Impacts of Niche Tourism

Niche tourism can positively and negatively impact local communities, economies, and environments. Understanding these effects is crucial for sustainable development and responsible travel. Here’s a look at both sides of the coin:

Positive Impacts

• Economic Diversification : Unlike mass tourism, niche tourism allows destinations to diversify their sources of income. Tourists with specialized interests are often willing to spend more for specific experiences.
• Community Engagement : Like cultural and rural tourism , Niche tourism often involves deeper interaction with local communities, fostering mutual respect and cultural exchange.
• Conservation and Awareness : Ecotourism and wildlife tourism often funnel funds directly into conservation efforts, and they can also heighten awareness of environmental issues among travellers.
• Educational Value : Many niche tourism sectors have a strong educational component. Whether learning about a unique culture, ecosystem, or historical period, the educational aspect can enrich the traveller’s experience and broaden their horizons.
• Job Creation : Specialized types of tourism can lead to the creation of specialized jobs, potentially offering higher wages and skill development for local communities.
• Psychological Benefits : Wellness and medical tourism can provide direct psychological and health benefits to participants, offering therapies, treatments, or experiences that may not be available in their home country.

Negative Impacts

• Environmental Stress : Even ecotourism, if not managed properly, can put undue stress on local ecosystems. The influx of tourists can disturb wildlife, lead to pollution, and degrade natural habitats.
• Cultural Commodification : Specialized interest in local cultures can sometimes lead to the commodification of traditions and practices, where elements of culture are altered or staged for tourist consumption.
• Economic Dependence : Over-reliance on a particular form of niche tourism can make a destination vulnerable to economic fluctuations in that market.
• Accessibility Issues : Because niche tourism often caters to more affluent travellers willing to pay for specialized experiences, it could exclude less affluent local people from certain activities or areas.
• Resource Strain : Niche tourists often seek untouched or less-explored destinations, which might not have the infrastructure to support increased tourist activity. This can lead to resource strains on small communities.
• Exclusivity : Some types of niche tourism can inadvertently create an atmosphere of exclusivity, alienating local populations who may not be part of the target demographic (e.g., LGBTQ tourism, luxury tourism).

Understanding these impacts can help in the development of policies and strategies to maximize the benefits and minimize the downsides of niche tourism. This makes it crucial for stakeholders, from government bodies to tour operators , to engage in responsible planning and management.

Niche Tourism vs. Mass Tourism

Niche and mass tourism are two distinct approaches to travel and tourism, each with unique characteristics, benefits, and challenges. Here’s a breakdown comparing the two:

Niche Tourism:

Definition : Niche tourism focuses on specialized and targeted travel experiences that cater to specific interests, activities, or demographic groups.

Characteristics :

• Tailored Experiences : Offers specialized experiences for a select group of travellers with particular interests, such as ecotourism, medical tourism , or culinary tourism.
• Smaller Scale : Typically attracts fewer numbers than mass tourism, aiming for depth of experience over volume.
• Higher Per-capita Spending : Travelers are often willing to spend more for personalized experiences.
• Sustainable Practices : Many niche tourism sectors emphasize sustainable and responsible practices, especially ecotourism or community-based tourism.
• Economic Diversification : Allows regions to diversify their tourism revenue sources.
• Less Environmental Impact : With fewer visitors, there’s generally less strain on resources and infrastructure.
• Cultural Exchange : Promotes deeper interaction and understanding between tourists and local communities.

Challenges :

• Dependence : Over-reliance on a single niche market can be risky.
• Management : Requires specific strategies and policies to ensure authentic and sustainable experiences.

Mass Tourism:

Definition : Mass tourism caters to large numbers of tourists who typically visit popular destinations and attractions.

• Broad Appeal : Focuses on universally appealing destinations or attractions, like famous landmarks, beach resorts, or popular cities.
• High Volume : Attracts a large number of visitors, especially during peak seasons.
• Standardized Offerings : Packages and experiences are often standardized to cater to the majority.
• Economic Boost : This can provide significant cash injection into a region due to the sheer number of visitors.
• Job Creation : Creates numerous jobs in the service, transportation, and hospitality sectors.
• Environmental Strain : The large influx can strain local resources, lead to pollution, and degrade natural and cultural sites.
• Overcrowding : Popular destinations can become over-touristed, diminishing the experience for visitors and locals.
• Economic Dependence : If a destination relies too heavily on mass tourism , it can become vulnerable to economic fluctuations.

Key Differences:

• Scale and Focus : Niche tourism is about depth and specificity, while mass tourism is about volume and breadth.
• Impact on Destination : Niche tourism often has a smaller footprint and may invest more in sustainable practices, while mass tourism can bring economic benefits but also significant strains on a destination.
• Target Audience : Niche tourism targets specific segments or interest groups, while mass tourism aims for the broadest appeal.
• Economic Model : Niche tourism often results in higher per-capita spending but on a smaller scale, while mass tourism focuses on high volumes, often with lower per-capita spending.

In conclusion, while both forms of tourism have their merits and challenges, the choice between them often hinges on travellers’ individual preferences, as well as the goals and resources of the destination.

Niche tourism offers more personalized, focused experiences at the cost of potential exclusivity and specialized demands, while mass tourism generates significant revenue and accessibility but may lead to cultural and environmental degradation. Both forms have their merits and drawbacks, and destinations often aim for a balanced portfolio that includes both types.

Popular Niche Tourism Destinations

Niche tourism destinations are tailored to specific interests, from the serenity of wellness retreats to the thrill of adventure sports. Here are some popular niche tourism destinations that cater to various specialized interests:

• Costa Rica : Known for its rich biodiversity, Costa Rica is a hotspot for ecotourism, offering a variety of activities such as bird-watching, jungle treks, and conservation programs.
• Galápagos Islands, Ecuador : Famous for its unique wildlife and natural beauty, the Galápagos offer a quintessential ecotourism experience.
• Queenstown, New Zealand : Often dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World,” it offers bungee jumping, skydiving, and whitewater rafting.
• Swiss Alps : Popular for skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering.

Cultural Tourism

• Kyoto, Japan : With its ancient temples, traditional tea ceremonies, and geisha culture, Kyoto is a haven for cultural tourism .
• Rome, Italy : A paradise for lovers of history and architecture, offering ancient ruins like the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Bali, Indonesia : Known for its wellness retreats that offer yoga, meditation, and natural health remedies.
• Switzerland : Home to some of the world’s most luxurious wellness retreats, often set in stunning alpine locations.
• Bangkok, Thailand : Known for high-quality healthcare at affordable prices.
• India : Particularly popular for specialized surgeries and alternative treatments like Ayurveda.
• San Francisco, USA : Known for its vibrant LGBTQ community and events like the Pride Parade.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands : One of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world, home to the first-ever gay marriage.

Rural Tourism

• Tuscany, Italy : Offers rustic experiences like vineyard tours and cooking classes.
• Himalayan Villages, India : Provides an escape from city life amidst snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys.

Activity-based Tourism

• Safari in Maasai Mara, Kenya : Offers wildlife spotting opportunities, including the Great Migration.
• Scuba Diving in the Maldives : Known for its stunning underwater life and coral reefs.
• Napa Valley, USA : Famous for its world-class wineries and vineyard tours.
• Bordeaux, France : Renowned globally for its wine culture.
• Spaceport America, New Mexico, USA : Virgin Galactic aims to offer sub-orbital trips to space tourists.
• Kazakhstan : The Baikonur Cosmodrome offers orbital space tourism, though at a very high price tag and less frequently.

Whether it’s the quest for adventure, relaxation, or deeper cultural experiences, these destinations offer something special for every niche traveller.

107 Travel Sub Niche Ideas (Beginners Have to Try)

You wake up in a bamboo hut and hear monkeys swinging through the trees.

You stretch, get out of bed, and find breakfast already waiting for you.

Your job today? To explore and document this trip in paradise.

If this sounds like a dream, the travel niche ideas below will show you exactly how to turn it into a reality.

Why should you trust me?

I run a YouTube channel with over 180,000 subscribers and an Instagram account with over 100,000 followers.

I know what works when it comes to content people love.

What Are The Best Travel Niche Ideas?

Here are the best travel niche ideas divided into the most popular categories.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Travel

Share with your audience the best ideas about traveling without harming the planet.

By providing green travel tips, you can help people positively impact the environment.

Here are the best ideas for this sub niche:

• Green City Tours : Inform your audience how these green city tours are at the heart of sustainable urban living.
• Eco-Friendly Safari Lodges : Explore lodges that don’t just look good but do good too. You can go into how solar power lights them up, recycled water flows through them and they play a part in safeguarding nature around them.
• Conservation Volunteer Holidays : Encourage your followers to join conservation volunteer holidays where they can participate in wildlife monitoring.
• Plastic-Free Island Getaways : Some islands actively support ocean-saving projects by saying goodbye to any form of plastics. Travel to these destinations and show what happens in these places.
• Sustainable Farm Stays : You can write about how farm stays offer a taste of organic farming. You can also get into farm-to-table dining while having interactions with local farmers.
• Bicycle Tours : Pedaling through foreign landscapes, each turn on a bicycle tour offers something new to discover. Hop on a bike tour and show your audience.
• Eco-Village Retreats : Imagine calling a low-impact home your own. You can get hands-on with permaculture practices and contribute to initiatives driven by local communities.
• Responsible Fishing Trips : Why not feature fishing trips on your channel? Show how catch-and-release policies are keeping things sustainable in foreign lands.
• Eco-Friendly Ski Resorts : Share how these resorts use renewable energy, focus on snow conservation, and offer eco-certified accommodations.
• Wildlife Photography Expeditions : Go into the wild with your camera, ready for adventure. Joining one of these excursions means directly supporting animal welfare initiatives.
• National Park Conservation Programs : Caring for Our National Parks supports national treasures. This takes many forms, including maintaining pathways, controlling unwanted plant guests, and sharing knowledge on natural marvels. This idea is great for reaching an international audience.
• Zero-Waste Cooking Classes : Reduce kitchen waste where every little bit helps. Share tips about international cuisines where this is a priority.
• Sustainable Winery Tours : Imagine tours diving into the heart of vineyards practicing eco-friendly growing, where caring for nature means everything from soil to bottle.
• Renewable Energy Tours : Visit the local wind and solar farms to learn how renewable energy technologies work.
• Eco-Friendly Fashion Shopping Tours : Start the journey towards more responsible choices by picking out brands with strong ethics at their core.
• Coral Reef Restoration Projects : Imagine yourself helping to plant corals, soaking in all there is to know about life under the sea, and backing the hardworking folks doing marine research right here at home.
• Eco-Adventure Parks : Merge adventure with ecology and show what eco-adventure parks do best.
• Sustainable Architecture Tours : On these tours, you’ll show firsthand the cleverness of eco-friendly designs in action – where every material has been chosen for sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Green Spa Retreats : Encourage your readers to relax in spas that use organic and natural products, conserve water, and provide a natural setting.
• Upcycled Art Workshops : Have you ever considered making something beautiful from discarded materials? That’s where you share your work in the form of Upcycled Art Workshops.
• Electric Vehicle Road Trips : Taking your electric car for a spin around picturesque settings has never been more straightforward. It’s also a great way to create travel content for your channel.
• Eco-Cultural Festivals : Rally your community to join in the fun at eco-friendly festivals that give a nod to homegrown customs.

Adventure and Extreme Sports Travel

Ready to create content that caters to thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts?

With plenty of sports travel adventure ideas, you’ll never run out of content to create.

Here are the best niche ideas for adventure and extreme sports travel:

• Mountain Climbing Adventures : Scale the peaks with mountain climbing adventures. Create content as you discover tracks designed to challenge anyone, from beginners to pros.
• Whitewater Rafting Adventure : Imagine navigating the wild rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure. Now share the thrill with your followers.
• Hang Gliding Over Scenic Landscapes : Encourage your audience to try hang gliding for breathtaking aerial views, with no experience necessary and tandem flights available.
• Deep Sea Fishing Adventure : Head out on a deep sea fishing adventure and reel in the excitement. With professional-grade tackle on board and guides who know these waters like the back of their hand, you and your followers will be in for an adventure.
• Sandboarding in Desert Dunes : Imagine gliding down a desert dune instead of a snowy mountain. That’s sandboarding for you – an exciting alternative to snowboarding offered with rental gear in renowned deserts everywhere.
• Jungle Survival Training : You can create content about immersive jungle survival training. Participants learn essential skills in rainforest settings.
• Volcano Hiking Tours : Tell your readers about the thrill of hiking active volcanoes with guides, safety measures, and the chance to explore geothermal features.
• Ice Climbing Adventures : Immerse yourself climbing up icy waterfalls and glaciers, kitted out with the best gear and guided by pros in some of the coldest spots on earth. Then share the thrill with others.
• Bungee Jumping from Bridges : Encourage your followers to experience the thrill of bungee jumping from scenic bridges – while adhering to strict safety protocols.
• Kitesurfing on Tropical Coasts : Explain how kitesurfing combines surfing and kite flying, with lessons for all levels available.
• Paragliding off Mountain Peaks : Record your adventures and share them with your audience so they can also enjoy paragliding.
• Cave Diving in Cenotes : Plunge into cenotes for a dive adventure led by seasoned pros. Just remember to switch on your camera before diving!
• Skiing Off-Piste : Encourage skiers to explore off-piste skiing, with avalanche safety gear and guides often being freeride professionals.
• Hot Air Balloon Safaris : Describe the magical experience of hot air balloon safaris with wildlife viewing and champagne breakfasts.
• Windsurfing at Renowned Beaches : Tell your readers about windsurfing, which is suitable for all levels with equipment rental and lessons and is popular at windy beaches.
• Zipline through Forest Canopies : Experience the thrill of ziplining through forest canopies, complete with high-speed descents and all necessary safety gear.
• Horseback Riding in Remote Areas : Explain how horseback riding lets people explore less accessible trails.
• Scuba Diving with Sharks : Encourage your audience to dive with sharks and experience the thrill while being safe in cages.
• Desert Rally Driving : Imagine hitting challenging trails in an off-road vehicle with pro tips from seasoned instructors.
• Arctic Dog Sledding : Try basic or advanced moves in frosty weather. Enjoy the experience of wind and soft pawprints on fresh snow.
• Rock Climbing in National Parks : Help your audience imagine themselves climbing up the rugged faces of mountains in one of the many National Parks.
• Extreme Mountain Biking : Share how extreme biking offers downhill and cross-country trails with bike rentals and protective gear.
• Skydiving Over Islands : Encourage your readers to try tandem skydiving for stunning aerial views.
• Surfing Big Waves : Tell your audience about the thrill of surfing big waves at famous spots like Hawaii or Australia. This is great during seasons of waves so you can also combine multiple sports adventures.
• BASE Jumping for Thrill Seekers : Describe the adrenaline rush of BASE jumping for those with parachuting experience.

Culinary and Wine Tourism

Do you consider yourself a foodie and a wine connoisseur?

Do you love exploring global cuisines and vineyards?

Here are the best niche ideas when creating content on these topics:

• Wine Tasting in Bordeaux : Imagine swirling a glass in Bordeaux, where every sip tells a story of centuries-old vineyards. What if you could share the story with other like-minded people? You can!
• Street Food Tours in Bangkok : Share with your audience the experience of exploring diverse street eats guided by local foodies in Bangkok.
• Cooking Classes in Tuscany : Tell your readers about traditional Italian cooking through hands-on preparation with chefs and enjoy the meals they cook in Tuscany.
• Cheese Tasting in Switzerland : Encourage your readers to sample artisan cheeses, visit local dairies, and learn about the cheese-making processes in Switzerland.
• Chocolate Making Workshops in Belgium : Suggest your audience craft their own chocolates and take their creations home from Belgium.
• Journey into the Heart of Scotch-Making in Scotland : Dive into the heart of Scotland and wander through age-old distilleries. There, you can savor a variety of aged whiskeys straight from the cask. So many stories to share.
• Vegan Food Tours in Los Angeles : Check out the vegan food tours available in Los Angeles. You can scout out the best in plant-based cuisine and taste culinary masterpieces.
• Seafood Safaris in Norway : Did you know people catch and cook their own seafood on boat trips in Norway? How about sharing this knowledge with others?
• Pastry Baking in Paris : Encourage your followers to learn from French pastry chefs, bake delights like croissants and macaroons, and enjoy freshly made desserts in Paris.
• Barbecue Trail in Texas : Suggest your readers explore famous joints, learn about different BBQ styles, and enjoy tastings and pitmaster talks in Texas.
• Olive Oil Tasting in Greece : Tell your readers they can visit olive groves, learn about oil production, and taste different olive oil varieties in Greece.
• Farm-to-Table Experiences : Share with your audience the experience of dining at farms, meeting the farmers, and touring the farms where ingredients are grown.
• Beer Brewery Tours in Belgium : Let your readers know they can visit renowned breweries while sampling various Belgian beers.
• Sushi Making in Tokyo : Encourage your readers to learn from sushi masters, prepare their sushi, and visit markets for fresh ingredients in Tokyo.
• Coffee Plantation Tours in Colombia : Suggest your readers walk through coffee plantations, learn about coffee production, and sample freshly brewed coffee in Colombia.
• Exploring Spice Markets in India : Tell your readers they can explore vibrant spice markets, learn about the benefits and uses of spices, and enjoy cooking demonstrations in India.
• Gourmet Food Truck Crawls : Share with your audience the fun of discovering innovative street food, often accompanied by live music events.
• Tapas Tasting in Barcelona : Suggest your readers sample a variety of tapas while learning about the rich Catalan cuisine.
• Herb Gardening Workshops : Let your readers know they can learn to grow culinary herbs. You can dive deep into planting and care tips.
• Fusion Cuisine Workshops : Encourage your followers to blend various culinary traditions and create and taste unique dishes.
• Truffle Hunting in Italy : Share truffle hunting adventures with your audience. Hunters use dogs to find truffles. You can go along for the ride (along with your audience).
• Sea Salt Harvesting Experience : Suggest your readers learn about traditional salt harvesting and enjoy a salt-tasting session.
• Time-traveling Tavern Tours : Imagine wandering through ancient taverns while experiencing brewery artistry.
• Artisan Bread Baking : Learn the secrets of crafting perfect loaves from true artisans. Then share the knowledge and help your audience prepare a basketful to take home.
• Culinary Cruises : Share with your audience the focus on gourmet dining experiences across multiple culinary destinations.

Wellness and Spiritual Retreats

Wellness and spiritual retreats are great for individuals seeking therapeutic experiences.

Here are the best niche ideas for this category:

• Yoga Retreat in Bali : Imagine unwinding every day with yoga, letting mindfulness and meditation in the tranquil Bali settings breathe new life into you. I almost feel at peace just writing this. Imagine your viewers as they come across this content.
• Ayurvedic Spa in India : Share traditional Ayurvedic treatments with your audience while also providing customized wellness plans.
• Silent Meditation Retreats : Suggest to your followers that structured meditation sessions, digital detox, and a supportive environment are key benefits of silent retreats.
• Tai Chi Workshops in China : Explain that learning from Tai Chi masters and focusing on balance and calm are the essentials of these types of workshops in China.
• Destination Weddings: Want to share a great adventure travel experience? Create travel content about a destination wedding in an exotic country. This micro niche is quickly gaining popularity as couples seek unique and memorable ways to tie the knot.
• Detox Resorts in Thailand : Imagine rejuvenating at one of Thailand’s serene detox resorts. If rebooting your health sounds appealing, consider jet-setting to Thailand and sharing the trip with your audience.
• Holistic Health Retreats : Treatments like Reiki promise an invigorating journey through self-care. Aimed at rejuvenating your physical form and enriching your mental and spiritual awareness, there’s lots to say about this sub niche.
• Spiritual Pilgrimages : Guide your audience to sacred sites that help bring out personal reflection.
• Forest Therapy Sessions : Invite your readers to explore guided walks based on Japanese Shinrin-yoku. This practice focuses on healing and connecting with nature.
• Spa Vacation with Natural Hot Springs : Imagine unwinding on a spa vacation centered around the soothing embrace of natural hot springs.
• Wellness Cruises : Create a travel piece that helps people picture themselves on a wellness cruise. There’s so much you could do from diving into fitness classes or absorbing wisdom from seminars.
• Fitness Boot Camps : Inform your followers about intensive fitness programs complementing nutrition and lifestyle coaching.
• Chakra Balancing Retreats : By focusing on the special spots of energy within their bodies during yoga or while meditating, people unlock doors to personal growth and happiness. Would you like to gift this to others? Create content around it.
• Sound Healing Workshops : Discuss the healing effects of sound using tools like gongs and singing bowls to promote deep relaxation.
• Desert Healing Retreats : Describe the unique benefits of serene desert landscape, focusing on mindfulness and creative workshops like painting or writing.
• Aromatherapy Retreats : Essential oils pack a punch when it comes to healing. Maybe it’s time to start blending your very own?
• Vegan Wellness Retreats : Advocate for the health benefits of an entirely plant-based menu, including cooking classes and nutrition talks.
• Qigong Retreats : Suggest learning Qigong for health and vitality, practiced in peaceful settings.
• Healing Art Retreats : Highlight emotional healing through various art forms. No artistic experience required.
• Shamanic Healing Experiences : Inform people about the deep spiritual connection available through learning from indigenous shamans.
• Mindfulness and Writing Retreats : Consider fusing thoughtful reflection activities into your daily journals – and sharing your findings.
• Ocean Therapy Retreats : Encourage exploring ocean therapy through surfing and sea kayaking, complemented by beach meditation sessions.
• Biohacking Conference : If you’re curious about pushing the limits of human performance, there’s no better place than a biohacking conference. Why not organize one and get curated experts to share their thoughts with your audience?
• Rejuvenation Retreats in Nature : Imagine finding peace away from the hustle – trekking up quiet mountainsides or cooling off with a swim in sparkling waters, focusing entirely on feeling good inside out.
• Trekking Adventures with a Side of Zen : Imagine merging the peacefulness of meditation with your love for trekking across breathtaking landscapes.

Cultural and Historical Tours

Those fascinated by history, cultures, and traditions can also make the most of traveling.

Whether it’s getting to see what castles exist worldwide or visiting famous landmarks through your content, there’s so much value you can bring to your audience.

Here are the best niche ideas for cultural and historical tours:

• Archaeological Digs : Help your audience learn from archaeologists and discover what ancient artifacts lie in foreign lands
• Renaissance Art Tours in Italy : Show your readers what it’s like to experience Renaissance art firsthand. Visit famous museums with expert guides and learn about the masters.
• Samurai Culture Tours in Japan : Push your audience to really dive into the world of samurais by visiting old castles and experiencing martial arts shows live.
• Ancient Egyptian Monuments : Step back thousands of years and roam among giants—the great Pyramids and Sphinx—with guides who live and breathe ancient Egyptian history.
• Medieval Castle Tours in Europe : Stop at majestic historical fortresses and unlock tales from long ago. Then immerse yourself fully as you join the crowd cheering at vibrant live performances recreating those epic days. Just be sure to film everything you experience!
• Imperial Cities of Morocco : To taste Morocco’s heritage, ensure you hit up places like Marrakech or Fes.
• Viking History Tours in Scandinavia : Dive into the past with Viking History Tours across Scandinavia. Imagine walking where Vikings once did. Get lost in tales from centuries ago.
• Colonial Era Tours in Latin America : Step onto the cobblestones where history was made during a deep dive into Latin America’s colonial era.
• Silk Road Expeditions : Imagine tracing back through time along the legendary paths of the Silk Road. You’d witness firsthand how different worlds collided culturally.
• Byzantine Heritage in Istanbul : Immerse yourself in the echoes of yesteryears at must-see Byzantine spots. Help your audience discover the lives of emperors that once were.
• Civil Rights Movement Tours in the USA : Trace back through critical sites of the civil rights era and immerse yourself in tales of courage found at every corner.
• Indigenous Art Tours in Australia : Advise your readers to explore Aboriginal art sites, learn about art traditions, and experience guided tours by Aboriginal artists.
• Genghis Khan and Mongol Empire Tours : Learn about the mighty Mongols’ impact. Travel around their homeland and visit key landmarks.
• Ottoman Empire Tours in Turkey : Get ready to discover what made the Ottomans tick by touring legendary spots.
• Roman Empire Tours in Italy : Show your followers what it’s like to visit iconic Roman sites like the Colosseum and learn about Roman engineering and society from historians.
• World War II History Tours : Suggest your readers visit WWII battlefields and memorials.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Tours : Take a journey through the past of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Renaissance Festival Visits : Encourage experiencing a Renaissance festival’s interactive history with jousting, crafts, and period food.
• Dutch Golden Age Tours : Visit museums and historical homes to explore the art and culture of 17th-century Netherlands and learn about famous Dutch artists.
• Scottish Clan History Tours : For an authentic slice of Scotland’s heart and soul – learning about its clan customs is a must!
• Historic Railroad Journeys : Hop on a classic train, dive into the rich tapestry of railroad lore, and let those scenic journeys charm you.
• Greek Mythology Tours : Visit mythological sites like Olympus, learn about gods and heroes, and benefit from expert guidance.

Wildlife and Nature Reserves Explorations

Creating content that appeals to nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts?

Here are the best ideas for this travel niche:

• Birdwatching in Costa Rica : Let your readers know they can explore hundreds of bird species in Costa Rica’s jungle and coastal settings.
• Bear Watching in Canada : Share with your audience that observing bears in their natural Canadian habitats is safest and most spectacular in the spring and early summer.
• Coral Reef Diving in the Great Barrier Reef : Push those who follow you to jump feet first into exploring The Great Barrier Reef’s vibrant life below water.
• Elephant Conservation in Thailand : Imagine being part of the movement that ensures Thailand’s majestic elephants are preserved for generations.
• Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda : Let your audience know they can track mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
• Whale Watching in Alaska : Explain to your readers that they can witness whales in Alaska’s majestic settings.
• Tiger Safaris in India : Let people know the best ways to explore Indian national parks while spotting wild tigers.
• Butterfly Sanctuaries in Mexico : Imagine getting lost in clouds of orange and black wings. That can be your (and your follower’s) reality if you visit Mexico when it gets cooler!
• Amazon Rainforest Expeditions : Have you ever dreamed about an expedition in the lush, vibrant Amazon? Get up close with nature’s wonders in a trek across the Amazon Rainforest.
• Arctic Wildlife Tours : Share your experience of the unique wildlife of the Arctic.
• Kangaroo Encounters in Australia : Encourage your audience to observe kangaroos in their natural Australian environments.
• Reptile Watching in the Galapagos : Let your readers know they can see unique species like marine iguanas in the Galapagos.
• Bison Chasing in America : Start your bison-chasing adventure across sweeping prairies.
• Red Panda Trekking in Nepal : Share with your audience your trip of searching for the elusive red panda in Nepal.
• Puffin Watching in Iceland : Tell your followers they can visit puffin colonies in Iceland, learn about their life cycles, and find the best viewing times in late spring and summer.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Projects : How about becoming a hero for sea turtles during their nesting season? Patrol beaches at night and learn how each step helps conserve marine life.
• Penguin Colonies in Antarctica : Share your visit to remote penguin habitats in Antarctica. To enhance the experience, you can also include educational lectures on polar ecosystems with expedition cruises.
• Cheetah Conservation in Namibia : Explain to your audience how they can learn about cheetah behavior and threats in Namibia.
• Manatee Encounters in Florida : Tell your followers they can observe manatees in Florida’s clear springs, learn about their ecology, and explore everything by guided kayak tours.
• Wildlife Photography Workshops : Get ready to snap breathtaking shots of wildlife photography. Join a workshop under the guidance of professional snappers and share the memories with the people who follow you.

How to Choose a Travel Niche

The travel niche offers a wide array of content opportunities to explore.

Ensuring you get into the right category is crucial for long-term success.

Here’s how to pick the best travel niche from the ideas above.

Combine Your Expertise And Interests

Consider these questions:

• What are the “travel niches” you can never stop talking about?
• What do you consider yourself an expert at?

Experience and expertise are always key factors when choosing your niche.

If you can also combine your passions and interests, that’s even better.

When you’re genuinely passionate about what you do, you’ll enjoy your work much more.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking you must be passionate about your chosen area before starting.

I think passion helps; however, it’s not as important in the list of priorities as it’s made out to be.

Also, unless you start, you probably won’t know what you’re passionate about anyways.

Think of your Target Audience

You want to work with people that share your values and are interested in what you have to say.

This choice starts by understanding your people’s:

• Demographics (who they are)
• Psychographics (lifestyle and values)
• Interests (what they like)

Consider what their main interests are.

Ask yourself:

• What do they like reading about?
• Talking about?
• What do they do when they travel?

I love going around and exploring new places in a new country.

If I were involved in the travel niche and my target audience was someone who chose to stay by the pool all holiday long, I don’t think we’d get along too well.

In other words, that wouldn’t be the best target persona to create content for.

Profitability

There’s a lot more money in a luxury travel blog compared to a budget travel blog.

Everyone understands this concept. Yet many choose the wrong niche when they want to make the most money.

If you make the wrong choice, the numbers won’t add up.

• your audience
• how much money they typically spend and
• whether this aligns with your financial goals.

Finding profitable niches is about striking a balance between profitability and passion.

Competition

Competition is a good thing.

It shows people are spending money on competitors who have already found a way to sell their products and services.

You can model what works and follow what someone’s already doing.

However, you must also consider how your products and services differ.

What can you offer that’s currently missing in the market?

A unique approach to your niche ensures you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

How To Research Your Travel Niche

Here are a few ideas for finding the best travel niche:

• Review travel blogs : See what type of content they post. Go through the helpful posts and ask yourself, “Why”? What makes this information stand out? Checking out your favorite niche travel blog will help you prioritize what’s important.
• Join social media groups : Travel bloggers love to share their opinions, ask questions, and provide feedback to others with the same areas of interest. They’ll ask questions about theme parks, money saving tips, romantic destinations, and much more. You’ll be able to find “your people” in these groups. You’ll also notice the language people use when they talk. When you use this language, you’ll become “one of the insiders.” And that makes it much easier to create resonating content.
• Read travel industry reports and data : Stay ahead of the trends by knowing what’s happening in the industry. Even one small insight can help you choose the right niche and create better content.

Exploring your favorite ideas from the above list opens up lots of travel opportunities.

These ideas also make it easier to turn your dreams into reality.

Now, it’s just about you putting them into action.

Safe travels and enjoy the journey!

Further reading on AdamEnfroy.com: Want even more travel ideas? These 155 best travel video ideas are perfect for travel vloggers.

It pays to have a great YouTube channel name if you’re still in your early days as a content creator.

Why not use my article on YouTube channel names to guide you? Then, consider this list of YouTube video ideas to help you get started on your next video.

Affiliate marketing can also be a lucrative path when traveling.

Learn about the best niches for affiliate marketing to maximize your earnings – potentially even during your travels.

Editorial Process:

Our reviews are made by a team of experts before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here .

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. These are products we’ve personally used and stand behind. This site is not intended to provide financial advice. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy .

Adam Enfroy

We test and review software products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we earn a commission. Read our editorial process and disclosures .

#ezw_tco-3 .ez-toc-title{ font-size: 120%; ; ; } #ezw_tco-3 .ez-toc-widget-container ul.ez-toc-list li.active{ background-color: #ededed; } Table of Contents Toggle Table of Content Toggle

Related Articles

The 350+ BEST Mountain Captions for Instagram (2024 Guide)

How To Do Keyword Research Using ChatGPT (Guide for 2024)

21 Ways How to Find Niche Products To Sell Online (2024)

AI Marketing: What It Is + Tools and Examples

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

59 Travel Niche Ideas for Travel Lovers to Blog About

• Views: 14,100
• Leave a comment

If you love traveling and making memories, then it’s time to document that journey and start making money online.

There are several travel niche ideas to choose from. You can blog about your family trips, camping, travel destinations, RV life, eco-friendly travels, traveling on a budget, just to name but a few.

The ever-evolving world of travel opens doors to endless opportunities and niche markets that captivate diverse audiences. From the thrill-seekers to the culture enthusiasts, from eco-conscious travelers to those journeying with pets, there is a travel sub niche for every taste and preference.

Travel blogging , as a dynamic and burgeoning field, offers a platform to explore these niches and connect with like-minded individuals.

This is a really wide industry and one full of brands that are looking for ambassadors. You can make money through affiliate links, brand sponsorships, display ads, or digital products.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to expand into new areas, understanding these niche travel examples and markets can be the key to unlocking your blogging potential. Read on to discover areas that resonate with your passion, expertise, and the audience you wish to serve.

What is a travel niche?

A travel niche refers to a specialized segment or focus within the broader travel industry. It’s a specific area that a blogger chooses to concentrate on, aligning with their unique interests, expertise, and the needs or preferences of a particular audience.

While general travel blogging might cover a wide range of topics, from destinations to travel tips, a niche approach delves deeper into a particular aspect or theme of travel.

This could include anything from a specific type of travel like backpacking or luxury cruises, to more targeted subjects like eco-conscious travel, pet-friendly vacations, or culinary adventures in specific regions.

Travel niche ideas (Explained)

1) backpacking.

Backpacking offers a unique way to explore various landscapes and cultures on a shoestring budget.

By focusing on this niche, you can provide tips on:

• Selecting the right gear
• Planning routes
• Finding accommodation, and
• Connecting with other backpackers.

You can also share personal stories and insights to inspire others to take the path less traveled.

2) Life on the road

Life on the road is all about embracing a nomadic lifestyle, whether in a van, RV, or traveling from place to place.

You can explore various aspects like building a mobile home, maintaining relationships on the road, handling work, and even home-schooling children if that’s part of the journey.

Be sure to offer tips and share personal anecdotes to provide a real-world perspective.

3) Survivalist

The survivalist travel niche caters to those interested in wilderness and survival techniques. Offer in-depth tutorials on building shelters, finding food, and navigating in the wilderness. Share your experiences and lessons learned, and possibly collaborate with experts in the field.

Reviewing survival gear and books could also be part of this niche.

4) City guides for travelers

City guides offer localized content for travelers visiting specific cities around the world. Provide comprehensive guides that include tourist attractions, local eateries, transportation, and cultural etiquette. Creating downloadable PDFs or interactive maps can enhance user experience and set your blog apart.

5) Best restaurants and hostels

By focusing on restaurants and hostels, you can cater to budget-conscious travelers looking for quality experiences. Share honest reviews, photos, prices, and contact information. Collaborating with these businesses for discounts or giveaways can further engage your audience.

6) Urban hiking

Urban hiking is about exploring cities on foot, embracing both popular sites and hidden gems. Offer detailed routes, including distances, difficulty levels, safety tips, and points of interest. Share insights on what to pack, wear, and expect on urban hikes.

7) Group travels

Group travel can be a rich and fulfilling experience. Offer insights on organizing group trips, selecting destinations, managing budgets, and maintaining harmony within the group. Sharing testimonials or interviews with group members can provide different perspectives.

8) Family travels

Family travels focus on providing memorable experiences for family members of all ages. Share ideas on destinations, activities, packing lists, and tips for traveling with children, including those with special needs. Collaborating with family-friendly businesses could also be beneficial.

9) Holiday travels

Holiday travels cover special occasions, festivals, and seasonal trips. Offer guides on where to go for specific holidays, how to plan, what to pack, and how to enjoy the local festivities. Highlighting unique traditions can add cultural depth to your content.

10) Learning new languages on the road

Language learning while traveling offers a unique way to immerse in a new culture. Provide tips on language learning apps, local language schools, and practical ways to practice with natives. Share personal success stories and challenges to motivate others.

11) Food travel: Learning local recipes on the go

Food travel is a delicious niche where you explore local cuisines and cooking techniques. Offer video tutorials, recipe guides, and culinary history. Collaborate with local chefs or attend cooking classes to enrich your content.

12) Travel products recommendations

In this niche, you review and recommend travel-related products. Provide in-depth analyses, pros and cons, and personal experiences using the products. Collaborations with brands can also lead to sponsorship or affiliate marketing opportunities.

13) Traveling for work

Traveling for work focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of business travel. Offer tips on packing, staying productive, maintaining work-life balance, and enjoying leisure time during business trips. Insights on various industries and cultures can also be included.

14) RV life

RV life is about embracing the road in a recreational vehicle. Share guides on buying or renting an RV, customization, maintenance, and planning routes. Personal stories and a glimpse into daily RV life can create engaging content.

15) Being a working nomad

Being a working nomad combines work and travel in a nomadic lifestyle. Offer resources on finding remote work, co-working spaces, managing taxes, and staying connected. Interviews with other working nomads can provide diverse insights.

16) Travel budgeting

Travel budgeting is vital for many travelers. Provide tools, templates, and strategies for budget planning, tracking expenses, finding deals, and managing finances on the road. Real-life case studies can make this niche more relatable.

17) Cultural differences

Understanding and respecting cultural differences enhances the travel experience. Offer guides on cultural norms, etiquette, and traditions for various destinations. Collaborating with locals to provide authentic insights can be valuable.

18) Camping

Camping offers various experiences from backcountry wilderness to family campgrounds. Share tips on selecting sites, gear, safety, cooking, and activities. Your own camping experiences can make the content more engaging and relatable.

19) Travel deals

Providing information on travel deals can help your readers save money. Offer updates on flight deals, accommodation discounts, package tours, and tips on finding the best prices. Collaborating with travel agencies or brands could be a lucrative opportunity.

Hiking covers everything from casual day hikes to long-distance trails. Offer guides on selecting trails, gear, training, safety, and wilderness ethics. Personal stories, photos, and videos can create a visual and emotional connection with readers.

21) Airlines

This niche involves reviewing and comparing airlines. Include information on ticketing, in-flight services, lounges, frequent flyer programs, and tips on finding the best deals. Engaging with airlines could lead to special access or partnerships.

22) Kayaking

Kayaking allows you to explore waterways around the world. Provide insights on kayaking techniques, gear, destinations, safety, and environmental considerations. Collaborating with kayaking clubs or instructors can enhance credibility.

23) Resorts

Resorts cater to various tastes, from luxury to eco-friendly. Offer reviews, photos, booking tips, and insights on amenities and activities. Collaborations with resorts can lead to sponsored stays or exclusive deals for your readers.

24) Cruise and trailers

Cruising offers unique travel experiences, and this niche can cover various cruise lines, destinations, on-board activities, and booking tips. Offering insights into different types of cruises like river cruises or expedition cruises can set you apart.

25) Travel tips / hacks

General travel tips and hacks cater to a wide audience. Share innovative ways to pack, plan, save money, stay safe, and make the most of travel experiences. Continuously updating content with new hacks can keep readers engaged.

26) Travel with family

Going beyond general family travels, this niche can focus on specific aspects like traveling with extended family, managing holidays, or family reunions. Share detailed guides, personal experiences, and lessons learned to connect with readers.

27) Solo traveling

Solo travel offers freedom and self-discovery. Provide tips on safety, connecting with others, building confidence, and enjoying solitude. Personal stories and challenges can inspire others to take the solo journey.

28) Life on the road (again)

Revisiting life on the road can delve into specific lifestyles like motorcycle travel or living in tiny homes. Explore the unique challenges, joys,

communities, and philosophies associated with these alternative lifestyles.

29) Restaurant reviews

Restaurant reviews offer insights into local dining experiences. Share detailed reviews, photos, menus, prices, and recommendations. Building relationships with restaurant owners can lead to exclusive insights or dining experiences.

30) Adventure holidays

Adventure holidays focus on thrill-seeking experiences like mountaineering, diving, or paragliding. Provide guides on training, equipment, safety, and destinations. Collaborating with adventure tour operators can bring authenticity to your content.

31) Best places to visit per country

Create comprehensive guides on the best places to visit in each country, highlighting natural wonders, cultural sites, festivals, and unique experiences. Local collaborations or crowd-sourced content can provide diverse insights.

Focusing on Cuba, provide localized content on destinations, culture, history, legal considerations, and travel tips. Exploring lesser-known places and sharing personal connections with locals can make your content stand out.

Japan offers rich cultural experiences and diverse landscapes. Share insights on traditional and modern aspects, etiquette, language, food, and hidden gems. Collaboration with local experts or offering bilingual content could be a unique selling point.

Italy, with its history, art, cuisine, and landscapes, offers endless possibilities. Focus on specific regions, local traditions, culinary delights, or historical sites. Collaborating with local artisans or chefs can bring authenticity to your content.

35) Iceland

Iceland is known for its stunning natural beauty. Offer guides on exploring geysers, waterfalls, glaciers, and the Northern Lights. Insights on local culture, wildlife, and sustainable tourism can make your content more appealing.

36) Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers vibrant biodiversity and eco-tourism experiences. Provide guides on wildlife, adventure sports, sustainable practices, and local communities. Engaging with conservationists or eco-lodges can add credibility.

Greece’s rich history and idyllic islands provide a broad canvas. Focus on archaeological sites, local traditions, culinary delights, or island-hopping guides. Collaborating with local historians or chefs can deepen the content.

Airbnb has revolutionized accommodation. Offer insights on finding the best listings, being a responsible guest, understanding policies, and sharing personal experiences. Hosting Airbnb meetups or events could engage local readers.

Hawaii’s tropical allure can be explored through its islands, cultures, outdoor activities, and unique traditions. Provide guides on island hopping, local food, festivals, and hidden spots. Engaging with local communities can provide a unique perspective.

40) Roadtripping

Roadtripping is all about the journey. Share insights on planning routes, vehicle maintenance, roadside attractions, and travel games. Personal stories, itineraries, and a focus on lesser-known routes can make your content unique.

41) Home exchange

Home exchange provides unique travel experiences. Offer guides on platforms, etiquette, preparation, and personal experiences. Building a community or collaborating with home exchange platforms can be beneficial.

42) Bleisure travels

Bleisure travel combines business with leisure. Provide tips on extending business trips for leisure, balancing responsibilities, exploring new cities, and making connections. Interviews with frequent bleisure travelers can add diversity to content.

43) Jungle tourism

Jungle tourism explores the wilderness and wildlife of jungles. Offer guides on destinations, safety, ethical considerations, and local communities. Collaborating with conservation organizations or indigenous communities can enhance your content.

44) Ancestry tourism

Ancestry tourism involves exploring one’s heritage through travel. Provide resources on genealogical research, planning heritage trips, connecting with distant relatives, and emotional aspects of this journey. Collaborations with genealogists or cultural institutions can be insightful.

45) Bucketlist trips

Bucketlist trips focus on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Share insights on planning, saving, executing, and cherishing these dream trips. Personal stories or readers’ contributions can make this niche more engaging.

46) Destination weddings

Destination weddings combine romance and travel. Offer guides on locations, legalities, planning, and personalizing weddings abroad. Collaborating with wedding planners or showcasing real destination weddings can inspire readers.

47) Disney tours

Disney Tours provide magical experiences. Offer insights on planning, maximizing time, enjoying parades and shows, dining, and special experiences like character meetings. Collaborating with Disney enthusiasts or providing exclusive tips can set you apart.

48) Voluntourism

Voluntourism involves volunteering during travel.

Your travel niche blog can focus on providing guides on finding ethical opportunities, preparing for the experience, understanding cultural dynamics, and reflecting on the impact.

49) Wellness travel

Wellness travel focuses on health and rejuvenation. Share guides on wellness retreats, spa experiences, mindfulness practices, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling. Collaborations with wellness experts or reviewing retreats can add value.

50) Spiritual travels

Spiritual travel explores journeys of self-discovery and connection. Offer insights on pilgrimages, meditation retreats, sacred sites, and personal growth. Collaborating with spiritual leaders or sharing personal transformation stories can be inspiring.

51) Dark tourism

Dark Tourism involves visiting sites associated with death, tragedy, or the seemingly macabre. This might include historical battlefields, sites of natural disasters, or even places known for ghost stories. Content could focus on the ethical considerations of this type of tourism, historical background, or personal reflections on the emotional impact of these visits.

52) Hotels, hostels, and motels

Accommodation is essential for travelers. Offer comprehensive reviews, comparisons, booking tips, and insider knowledge on hotels, hostels, and motels worldwide. Building relationships with accommodation providers can lead to exclusive content.

53) Camping gear

Camping gear is essential for outdoor enthusiasts. Provide in-depth reviews, comparisons, buying guides, and care tips. Collaborating with brands or offering giveaways can engage your readers.

54) Travel backpacks

Backpacks are travelers’ companions. Offer detailed reviews, selection guides, packing tips, and personal recommendations. Collaborations with backpack brands or offering exclusive discounts can enhance reader engagement.

55) Budget travel

Budget travel offers exciting challenges and rewards. Share innovative ways to save, cost breakdowns, cheap destinations, and personal budget travel stories. Creating a community of budget travelers to share tips and experiences can be valuable.

56) Luxury travel

Luxury travel offers a world of indulgence and elegance. Share reviews of luxury resorts, experiences, personalized services, and exclusive destinations. Collaborating with luxury brands or showcasing celebrity travel can make your content stand out.

57) Accessible travel

This niche focuses on providing information for travelers with disabilities or mobility challenges. A blog on this subject could offer guides to accessible destinations, accommodations, transportation, and activities. Collaborating with disability advocates or experts in accessibility design can provide valuable insights and help ensure that the information is both accurate and respectful.

58) Pet-friendly travel

Traveling with pets presents unique challenges and opportunities.

The content that your niche blog can focus on could include guides to

• Pet-friendly accommodations
• Transportation tips
• Necessary documentation
• Safety considerations, and
• Reviews of pet-friendly activities and destinations.

You can also venture into pet-related topics such as pet training while away, etc.

59) Mindful eco-conscious travel

This niche focuses on mindful and environmentally conscious travel practices that emphasize a deeper connection with nature and local communities.

Rather than merely focusing on eco-tourism destinations, content can explore methods of travel that minimize carbon footprints, engage deeply with local traditions, and emphasize mindful practices like meditation or journaling during travel.

Collaborations with ecologists, mindfulness coaches, or indigenous community leaders could add depth and authenticity to the content.

Is travel niche profitable?

Yes, the travel niche can be profitable, but it requires a thoughtful approach, strategic planning, and consistent as it’s also quite competitive.

Monetization opportunities

The travel niche offers various monetization avenues, including but not limited to:

• Affiliate marketing: Promoting travel-related products, services, or bookings and earning a commission on sales.
• Sponsored content: Partnering with travel companies, tourism boards, or brands for paid promotions.
• Selling products or services: Offering e-books, travel guides, or consultation services.
• Advertising revenue: Utilizing ad networks such as Mediavine , Monumentric, She Media, or direct advertising on your blog or YouTube channel.

While the competition is fierce, there are opportunities for success in the travel blog niche for those who are willing to put in the effort and differentiate themselves:

• Unique perspective: Sharing personal experiences, insights, and stories that resonate with a specific audience can help set a blog apart.
• Quality content: Producing high-quality, informative, and visually appealing content can help establish credibility and attract loyal readers.
• Engagement: Building a community and engaging with readers through comments, social media, and newsletters can foster a loyal audience.
• Niche focus: Specializing in a specific niche or angle within travel can help target a more defined audience and stand out from the general crowd.
• Consistency: Regularly publishing new content and maintaining a consistent online presence is essential for staying relevant and visible.

How do I start a travel blog?

To start a travel blog, you need to choose a niche, decide on the travel blog name , select a domain name and hosting, set up a website, create valuable content, use appealing visuals, engage with readers, and learn about search engine optimization (SEO) to improve visibility.

Travel niche FAQs

Is travel niche competitive.

Yes, the travel blog niche is highly competitive. Travel blogging has gained immense popularity over the years, driven by the increasing desire of people to share their travel experiences, provide tips, and inspire others to explore the world. As a result, there is a significant number of travel bloggers vying for attention and readership.

What is a travel blog?

A travel blog is a website or online platform where individuals or travel enthusiasts share their personal experiences, travel tips, destination guides, and stories from their journeys. It often includes photos, videos, and written content to engage readers.

Can I make money from a travel blog?

Yes, you can monetize a travel blog through various methods such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, advertising, selling digital products (e.g., eBooks, travel guides), offering consulting services, and partnering with travel companies.

Do I need to be an experienced traveler to start a travel blog?

While experience can add authenticity to your content, you don’t necessarily need extensive travel experience to start a travel blog. You can share tips, research, and stories from your own trips as well as curate information from reliable sources.

How long does it take to see results from a travel blog?

Building a successful travel blog takes time. It can take several months to a year or more to start seeing significant traffic, engagement, and monetization. Consistency, quality content, and effective promotion are key to speeding up this process.

By aligning your passion and knowledge with a specific travel niche, you not only carve a unique space for yourself but also foster deeper connections with a community that shares your interests.

Choosing the right blog niche is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires introspection, research, and a willingness to dive into uncharted territories. The niches highlighted in this guide offer a starting point, a spark to ignite your imagination, and a pathway to create content that resonates, inspires, and engages.

Remember, the journey of travel blogging is as much about personal growth and exploration as it is about sharing insights with others. Embrace the diversity, celebrate the unique experiences, and be fearless in pursuing what truly speaks to you.

In the vast ocean of travel content , your unique voice and perspective can be the beacon that guides others on their journeys.

No products found.

Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Guestposting on The PennyMatters has since been discontinued. Do not contact us on the same.

• Blog Niche Ideas
• March 19, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts selected for you...

31 best crypto niches for blogging in 2024, 33 car niche ideas for auto bloggers, 127 future-proof ecommerce niches for successful blogging in 2024, top 20+ profitable tourism niches for blogging in 2024, 139 best niches for affiliate marketing (most profitable) in 2024, 53 fitness niche ideas for starting a fitness blog in 2024.

More From Forbes

Couple launches digital niche travel guides to help tourists discover hidden gems.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Discover how hyper niche travel guides are revolutionizing the way travelers plan their trips.

The travel industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with a growing demand for niche travel experiences. In fact, a 2018 study by Skift found that travelers are looking for more authentic experiences and are willing to pay more for them, with 55% of respondents stating that they would pay extra for a customized travel experience. And with that comes a rise in the popularity of niche travel guides.

Traditional travel guides tend to cover broad topics like tourist attractions, accommodations, and restaurants, but they may not cater to individual travelers' unique interests and preferences. Niche travel guides, on the other hand, focus on specific themes such as adventure travel, culinary tours, or sustainable tourism, providing detailed information and recommendations that are tailored to the traveler's interests.

For this reason, Saltete —niche digital travel guides—was born. I recently chatted with Saltete founder and travel writer Regan Stephens to learn what sets her digital guides apart from other travel guides on the market.

"First, Saltete guides are designed to be niche, meaning they focus on a place through a specific point of view," Stephens said. "Second, there's an on-the-ground user experience that I haven't seen on the market. Since they're digital guides, they're interactive."

One unique feature of Saltete guides is the "Near Me" function that allows travelers to find nearby recommendations quickly. Stephens shared that the feature was inspired by her personal travel experiences, "What if, after I leave the Louvre, I stop at a cafe with just average coffee, when there was Paris's best coffee just blocks away?" she said.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid-19 travel insurance plans.

Stephens also noticed a gap in the market when it came to travel planning. "When planning a trip, I probably spend between 10 and 30 hours researching," she said. "For me, this has always been part of the fun, learning about a place before I get there, but it also takes so much time."

Saltete addresses this issue by offering expert-driven niche travel guides that eliminate the guesswork from travel planning. "We're highlighting the insights and tips of local experts and leveraging technology to give travelers a way to spend less time researching and travel planning and more time enjoying their trip," said Stephens.

Stephens is no stranger to globe trotting.

But Saltete is not just a niche travel guide company but also a publishing platform that allows travel writers to create and sell their own guides. "With Saltete, writers can make and sell a guide directly to travelers," said Stephens. "It offers writers editorial and financial control and consistency."

Saltete has already attracted prominent writers and creators such as author and podcaster Jo Piazza, who recently published her guide "The Catskills with Kids" on the platform. Stephens believes that the best travel guides will be written by local experts who know the ins and outs of their respective destinations.

Saltete offers travelers a stress-free and personalized travel experience while empowering writers and creators by providing a publishing platform that puts them in control. As Stephens said, "We're excited to help empower writers and creators by providing a publishing platform that puts them in control."

Stephens is not working alone in her mission to create niche travel guides. Her husband, Eric Stephens, is also involved in the business. Eric is a seasoned product manager and has worked in tech for several years. He focuses on the seller experience and has worked for companies like Etsy. For Saltete, Eric manages product and engineering, bringing his wealth of experience in building tech businesses to help Saltete grow and flourish.

Looking to the future, Stephens sees travel guides becoming even more personalized and interactive. "The future of travel guides is niche and interactive," she said. "They're more personalized, and they solve the problem of how to plan for a trip when there's infinite information available."

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• Privacy Policy

Choose The Right Travel Niche Market in The 12 Proven Steps

Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by The Digital Travel Expert

Finding a niche market that suits your travel blog and tour business goals requires careful research and analysis of the current market trends and demands. Knowing what a particular travel niche market is looking for isn’t enough to hope for a successful travel blog and safari business. It is essential to also understand the competition and develop unique offerings and marketing strategies. Your personal experience and expertise in the field will play an important role in achieving success.

Table of Contents

How to choose and materialize the right travel niche market for your business

It involves conducting thorough market research to identify gaps and opportunities. This includes analyzing the target audience’s preferences , interests, and spending habits. Once you have identified a potential niche, it is crucial to test its viability by conducting pilot projects or surveys to gauge interest and gather feedback from potential customers. 

Here are the 12 steps you can learn from to successfully implement your niche marketing strategy.

1. Self-Assessment: Identify Your Passions and Interests

The definition of niche market ideas attracts not only passion and interest but also expertise. A wise travel expert or entrepreneur will examine their capacities before launching a travel business or a tour company. You begin by evaluating your interests, passions, and expertise. What are your favorite travel experiences? What destinations and activities excite you the most? Your genuine enthusiasm will be a valuable asset in your chosen niche market. 

Passion is a piece of the driving force, but skills are what will truly set you apart in the industry. If you are a content creator or SEO expert , your technical skills will transform your interest in success. Having a deep understanding of algorithms and being able to optimize websites for search engines will significantly contribute to your overall success.

2. Market Research: Investigate the market and conduct competitive analysis.

Conduct thorough research to identify gaps or underserved segments in the travel market. Look for niche market segments with demand but aren’t oversaturated with competition.

In other words, business market research refers to spotting what is missing or what is done incorrectly. 

It involves analyzing the market to understand areas where there is a need for better products or services.

3. Audience Identification: Understand Your Target Audience

Define your target audience. Consider demographics, interests, and travel preferences. Understanding your potential readers or customers is vital to tailoring your travel niche market to their needs. Identifying your ideal customer for your tour company or audience for your travel blog will help you create travel content and experiences that resonate with them.  It involves exploring their cultural aspirations, interests, financials, and preferences to tailor your offerings accordingly. 

If you sell to everyone, you risk diluting your message and not effectively reaching anyone. 

4. Passion vs. Profit: Finding the Right Balance

Decide whether you want to prioritize your passion for a niche over its profit potential, or vice versa. Striking a balance between the two is ideal, but knowing your primary motivation is essential. You won’t spend your time and finances in a travel niche market just because it pleases you. You need to ensure that there is profit potential as well. Where there is profit, passion will follow. 

However, it’s important to consider that solely focusing on profit may lead to burnout or a lack of fulfillment in the long run. Finding a balance between passion and profit will not only make your work more enjoyable but also increase your chances of long-term success in your chosen travel niche. 

5. Competitor Analysis: Identify the Existing Players in the Travel Industry

Examine existing travel blogs or tour businesses in your chosen niche. Assess the competition, the quality of the content, and their engagement with the audience. Identify areas where you can differentiate yourself and provide unique value to your target audience.  

Competitor analysis consists of studying the strategies and tactics employed by your future competitors to understand what works and what doesn’t in the travel industry.  

The SWOT analysis helps identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that your business may face in the market. If you go for SEO, make sure you do the right travel keyword research to beat them in the SERPs.

Competitor analysis allows you to identify any gaps or untapped opportunities in the industry that you can capitalize on to establish yourself as a trusted authority in your chosen travel niche. 

6. Monetization Strategy: How will you generate revenue from your travel blog or business?

Consider how you plan to monetize your travel niche. Different niches may offer various monetization opportunities, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, e-books, tours, or product sales.

Your great travel blog or tour company will only look as great as your income stream. It is important to have a clear monetization strategy in place to ensure a steady flow of revenue. 

This involves diversifying your income streams by exploring multiple avenues, such as advertising partnerships, creating exclusive content for paid subscribers, or even offering personalized travel consulting services. 

If you are going for a tour company, you can offer travel packages, car rental services, flight booking services, and even organize guided tours or excursions at popular tourist destinations.

The goal here is to monetize your work and passion. 

7. Long-Term Viability: Can you strategize for long-term success and sustainability?

Ensure that your chosen type of niche market has long-term viability. Consider factors like the evergreen nature of the content, the potential for consistent growth, and its relevance in the future.

Are you launching the travel blog or safari company for a few years, or is this something you want to build on a long-term basis? It’s important to have a clear vision for the future and a plan for how you will adapt and evolve your business over time. 

Having a clear vision and plan for the future will ensure that you stay on track and continue to grow.

8. Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes your business special?

Define your unique selling proposition. What sets you apart from others in your travel niche market? If you run a travel blog, this could be your storytelling style, in-depth knowledge, or exclusive access to information or travel experiences that the average travel blogger doesn’t offer. 

If you are a tour or wildlife safari company, your unique selling proposition could be the personalized and customized itineraries you create for each client, ensuring a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Additionally, your extensive network of local guides and insider knowledge of the best wildlife viewing spots could set you apart from other companies in the market. 

9. Passion for Research: Continuous Improvement must be your close Friend.

There are many benefits of a niche market but succeeding requires hard work. Be ready to dive deep into research and exploration within your niche. Staying well-informed and continuously learning will help you maintain your authority and stay relevant.

The travel market is ever-evolving, with new destinations, trends, and technologies emerging constantly. 

You will need to stay passionate about research and continuous improvement. You want to position yourself ahead of the curve and offer your clients the most up-to-date and unique experiences available. This dedication to continuous improvement will not only set you apart from other companies but also ensure that your clients have the best possible travel experiences. 

10. Consistency and Patience: Building a successful business requires resilience.

Building a brand and an audience in your chosen travel niche takes time and consistency. Be patient and committed to nurturing your niche over the long term.

No strong business has been built over a short period. It is important to stay focused and dedicated, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. Remember that success doesn’t happen overnight.

By delivering high-quality experiences and staying true to your brand values, you will gradually build a loyal customer base and establish yourself as a trusted authority in the travel industry. 

Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. 

11. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Running a successful business or travel blog in a niche market means also knowing specific destinations or activities, and being aware of any legal or ethical considerations to ensure you provide accurate, responsible information to your audience. This will help you maintain a positive reputation and avoid any potential legal issues.  

Why do travel companies need to be ethical and responsible in their operations ? Travel brands or bloggers need to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers, ensure fair and transparent pricing, respect local cultures and environments, and promote sustainable tourism practices. 

Travel brands that uphold these ethical standards send a clear message to their customers and audience about trust and the overall positive impact of the industry. 

12. Diversification: Minimize Risk and Maximize Potential Profit

While focusing on your chosen niche, consider diversifying your content or services to appeal to a broader audience within that travel niche. Minimizing risk and maximizing potential profit refers to the strategy of reducing the chances of financial loss while increasing the possibility of earning higher returns. 

In the context of travel brands, this can involve expanding offerings, such as introducing new destinations or experiences, to attract a wider range of customers within their specific niche segments. By diversifying their content or services, travel brands can mitigate the risk of relying too heavily on a single product or target audience while also tapping into new revenue streams and maximizing their overall profitability.

Is Niche Tourism Marketing A Rewarding Choice

Embracing a niche in your travel marketing strategy can be a rewarding journey filled with unique advantages. Specializing in a niche allows you to become an expert in a specific area, enabling you to provide valuable insights and recommendations to a dedicated audience. You’ll establish a deeper connection with like-minded travelers, fostering a sense of community and trust.

Niche tourism marketing allows for more personalized and tailored content, making it easier to stand out in a crowded travel industry. By tapping into your passion and expertise, you not only enjoy the work you do but also inspire and guide others in their travel adventures. So, leap into the world of travel niches, where your expertise becomes your greatest asset, and your audience becomes your fellow explorers.

Why do Some Entrepreneurs fail in the Travel Blog Niche?

Entrepreneurs in the travel blog niche can encounter challenges that lead to failure. Common reasons include underestimating the competitiveness of the market, struggling to stand out in a crowded field, or lacking a unique angle or expertise. Insufficient planning and resource allocation, along with unrealistic expectations of quick success, can also hinder progress.

Adapting to changing travel trends and evolving digital marketing platforms is crucial, and failure to do so can impact the sustainability of a travel blog business. Successful travel bloggers often combine passion, expertise, strategic planning, and adaptability to thrive in this dynamic industry.

15 Travel and Tourism Niche Market Examples

The travel and hospitality industry offers a plethora of niche opportunities for businesses and travel bloggers to specialize in. These travel and tourism niche examples target specific audiences with unique interests, catering to their preferences and needs. Here are some examples of niches within the travel industry:

• Eco-Tourism : Focusing on environmentally sustainable travel, eco-tourism caters to travelers seeking eco-friendly destinations, accommodations, and activities.
• Adventure Travel : Specializing in adrenaline-pumping experiences such as hiking, rock climbing, and extreme sports in various locations worldwide.
• Culinary Tourism : Concentrating on food and beverage experiences, including restaurant reviews, culinary tours, and exploring the world’s diverse cuisines.
• Luxury Travel : Targeting high-end travelers with reviews of luxury resorts, private villa rentals, and exclusive experiences like yacht charters and private jet travel.
• Family Travel : Catering to families with children, offering advice on family-friendly destinations, accommodations, and activities.
• Solo Travel : Providing guidance and inspiration for solo travelers, including safety tips, destination recommendations, and itineraries for those exploring the world on their own.
• Cultural and Heritage Travel : Exploring the history, traditions, and cultural aspects of destinations, often with a focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historical landmarks.
• Responsible and Sustainable Travel : Promoting ethical and sustainable travel practices, with an emphasis on responsible tourism and minimizing the environmental impact of travel.
• Volunteer and Philanthropic Travel : Showcasing opportunities for travelers to engage in volunteer work or support local communities while exploring new destinations.
• Business Travel Tips : Offering insights into business travel, including advice on staying productive on the road, airport and hotel reviews, and frequent flyer tips.
• Medical Tourism : Focusing on destinations known for medical treatments, wellness retreats, and health-related travel experiences.
• Outdoor and Camping Travel : Providing information on camping, hiking, and outdoor adventures, including tips on gear, campgrounds, and wilderness experiences.
• Pilgrimage tourism : is a niche within the travel and hospitality industry that centers around religious or spiritual journeys to sites of significance for various faiths. Pilgrims travel to these destinations to seek religious fulfillment, spiritual enlightenment, or a deeper connection to their beliefs.
• RV and Van Life Travel : Catering to travelers who live and travel in recreational vehicles, campervans, or converted vans, offering advice on routes, maintenance, and travel experiences.
• Historical and Archaeological Travel : Focusing on destinations rich in history and archaeology, with guides to historical sites, ruins, and ancient civilizations.

What Defines a Profitable Travel Niche

A profitable travel niche combines a passionate audience with ample monetization opportunities. It’s defined by a dedicated and engaged target market that seeks specific travel experiences, advice, or information. The most lucrative travel niches often cater to high-value audiences, such as luxury travelers , adventure seekers, or specialized interests like eco-tourism or cultural experiences.

A travel blog profitability hinges on the ability to monetize the niche through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, travel products, tours, or services. A profitable travel niche strikes a balance between audience passion and revenue potential, offering valuable content or experiences while generating sustainable income for the content creator or travel business.

Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Niches

What is a niche example?

A niche, in the context of business or marketing, is a specialized and narrowly defined segment of a larger market. It represents a distinct and unique area of focus where a company, product, or content creator can excel by meeting the specific needs and preferences of a particular audience.

For example, within the travel industry, a niche could be “luxury wellness retreats in tropical destinations.” This niche serves a select group of travelers seeking high-end spa and wellness experiences in specific geographic settings, allowing businesses or content creators to tailor their offerings to precisely meet the desires of this particular market segment.

What accurately defines a niche market?

A niche is accurately defined as a small, specialized segment within a broader market where consumers share distinct, specific needs, preferences, or characteristics that set them apart from the larger, more general market.

Niche segment markets often exhibit unique characteristics, such as a particular interest, lifestyle, or demographic profile, which makes them an ideal target for businesses or content creators looking to provide tailored products, services, or content.

Can I change my travel niche later if I’m not satisfied with my choice?

Yes, you can change your travel niche if needed, but it’s essential to carefully plan and execute the transition to maintain audience trust and minimize disruptions to your business or blog.

In conclusion, choosing the best travel niche is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the success of your travel business or blog. It requires a thoughtful blend of self-reflection, audience analysis, market research, and a passion for the subject matter.

By aligning your interests and expertise with a specific segment of the travel industry, you can effectively target and engage a dedicated audience.

The best travel niche should not only resonate with your enthusiasm but also offer profitable opportunities while fulfilling the unique desires of your chosen market. Ultimately, the right niche empowers you to stand out in the competitive travel landscape, create valuable content or experiences, and build a brand that resonates with travelers seeking precisely what you have to offer.

Share this:

Recommended for you.

9 Travel Niches to Grow Your Travel Blog in 2024

• Travel blogging
• Make money while travelling

In the competitive world of travel blogging, finding a way to stand out from the crowd is essential. That’s why choosing a niche within the travel blogging industry can be a game changer. By focusing on a specific travel market, you’ll not only make your content stand out from the competition, but you’ll also attract a highly engaged following that shares your passions and interests. Whether you’re a new or seasoned travel blogger, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and profitable travel blogging niches in 2024. If you’re ready to take your travel blog to the next level, these niche ideas will help you align your values, content, and unique travel style for maximum impact.

Why Choose Travel Niches for Travel Blog Growth?

If you’re unsure which niche to choose for your travel blog — you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve listed several of the most popular and profitable travel blog niches in 2024 so you can find a niche that aligns with your values, content, and unique travel style. And these ideas are not just for new travel bloggers — they can be just as useful to those who have been blogging for a long time. For example, perhaps you have a travel blog about Bali, and you’ve written about solo travel in Bali and the best things to do in Bali for couples, but you’ve never written about traveling to Bali with kids. By writing a series of posts about traveling with kids in Bali, you can open your blog to a new audience — which will result in more traffic!

1. Outdoor Adventure Travel

Outdoor adventure is a niche that encompasses a wide range of outdoor activities. For example, some of the most popular topics in the outdoor adventure niche are hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering, climbing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, skiing, and snowboarding.

An outdoor adventure travel blogger based in Canada might focus on sharing the best hiking trails or camping sites during the summer months and share information about the best skiing and snowboarding destinations in the winter. Or, an island-based adventure blogger might share the best places for snorkeling and diving on the different islands in the Caribbean.

Travel bloggers in the outdoor adventure niche can join affiliate programs for adventure sports gear — like hiking boots, surfboards, and snowboards. Outdoor adventure bloggers can generate passive income by promoting these items (or sharing in-depth reviews of them). 

Here are some travel blogs that fit within the outdoor adventure travel niche:

• OceanWide Explorers — OceanWide Explorers is an outdoor adventure blog and Travelpayouts partner who encourages people to discover hidden adventures above and below the sea and shares content about “anything with an ocean view,” including diving, snorkeling, paddling, hiking, sailing, and more.
• Arizona Hiker’s Guide — Arizona Hiker’s Guide shares popular and hidden hikes across Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and other destinations across Arizona.
• The Snowboard Mom — The Snowboard Mom is an independent blog based out of Montreal, Quebec, started by Valerie, and she shares tips for skiing and snowboarding with kids, ski and snowboarding gear reviews, and more!

2. Culture & Heritage Travel

Culture and heritage travel bloggers dig deep into a specific country, state, province, or region to provide in-depth information about the location’s culture, history, or heritage. They aim to share information about a location’s historical sites, local events, architecture, museums, cuisine, drinks, nightlife, and more. These blogs are ideal to visit for someone traveling to a destination for the first time to gain information about the region!

An alternative to this approach would be a blogger who chooses to cover a topic rather than a destination. For example, instead of digging into a specific location’s culture, history, and things to do, they might choose to share about local food, drinks, and cuisines in destinations across the globe.

These are some examples of travel bloggers that would fall within the culture and heritage niche:

• Travel Mexico Solo — Travel Mexico Solo shares all the information you need to know about planning a trip to Mexico, including the most popular cultural events in Mexico, the best destinations and locations to visit, travel tips for visiting Mexico, and more.
• Savannah First-Timers Guide — Savannah First-Timers Guide is a niche travel blog for first-time travelers to Savannah, Georgia, that shares the city’s best historical sites, restaurants, museums, ghost tours, and other helpful local information.
• Chef Denise — Chef Denise helps travelers explore the world through food by sharing recipes for cuisines around the globe, the best restaurants in specific destinations, the top things to eat in certain cities, and other food-related content. 

3. Luxury Travel

Luxury travel is among the most profitable travel blogging niches. Bloggers within this niche typically share high-ticket items and experiences, like high-end resorts, luxury spas, overwater bungalows, five-star dining experiences, and first-class flights. They can make significant money from affiliate sales or paid partnerships.

As a luxury travel blogger, you can choose to niche down to one topic — like sharing the best luxury hotels, resorts, and accommodations around the globe — or niche down to one destination — like sharing the best luxury hotels, spas, and dining experiences in London.

Bloggers within this niche should join affiliate programs for hotels and airlines to earn income when their readers purchase a flight or book a stay. Since luxury hotels and first-class airfare can cost thousands of dollars — luxury travel bloggers can make hundreds of dollars in affiliate income on a single purchase!

These are some examples of bloggers in the luxury travel niche:

• Carmen’s Luxury Travel — Carmen’s Luxury Travel shares all things luxury travel, including luxury travel guides to popular destinations around the globe, as well as information about luxury cruises, hotels, ski resorts, private jets, trains, tours, and more. 
• The Cultureur — The Cultureur shares luxe city guides and luxury hotel reviews that blend the finer things in life with local culture. Nyssa, the founder of The Cultureur, shares that her blog is for the “modern, sophisticated, and cultured global citizen.”
• Cultured Voyages — Cultured Voyages is a luxury travel blog and Travelpayouts Partner that focuses on sharing travel guides for culturally curious travelers who have a taste for luxury hotels, boutique hotels, and luxury vacation rentals.

4. Budget Travel

Many people are traveling on a tight budget in 2024, meaning budget travel is a popular niche in the travel industry right now.

Bloggers in the budget travel niche focus on a wide range of topics. These topics include (but are not limited to) backpacking and staying in hostels in low-cost destinations, finding cheap accommodations and flights using points and miles, camping or RV travel, or the digital nomad lifestyle.

There are tons of affiliate programs for the budget travel industry — from hostel-focused booking platforms to camper-sharing marketplaces — that can help you make money in the budget travel niche (even if your readers aren’t looking to spend a ton of money).

Here are a few examples of budget-focused travel bloggers, each with a different sub-niche within the budget travel niche:

• Nomadic Matt — Nomadic Matt is one of the leading resources for budget travelers who want to save money while traveling more. Matt’s budget travel advice has been featured in major publications, like The New York Times, National Geographic, and BBC.
• Travel Hacking Mom — Travel Hacking Mom is a budget travel blogger and self-proclaimed “travel hacking pro” who shares how to travel the world for (almost!) free using credit card points and airline miles with free resources and paid classes.
• Homeroom Travel — Homeroom Travel is a budget travel blog created by Francesca, a history teacher who loves to travel. She shares tips and budget-friendly travel guides to help other teachers visit California, the Pacific Northwest, and foreign destinations on a budget.

5. Family & Kid-Friendly Travel

If you have kids or love traveling with your family — the family travel niche may be a natural fit.

Bloggers in the family travel niche typically share about kid-friendly hotels and resorts, helpful tips for traveling with babies and children, theme parks (like Disney World or Universal Studios), educational travel and learning experiences, and more. Some family bloggers focus on just one topic — for example, tips for visiting Disney World with kids — while others focus on the family niche generally and cover several topics (hotels, educational travel, toddler travel tips, etc.).

Family bloggers can become an affiliate for product-based businesses and promote helpful items for traveling with kids, like strollers and baby carriers, or become an affiliate to promote family-friendly hotels, tours, and other activities.

Here are a few examples of blogs in the family travel niche:

• Kids Are a Trip — Kids Are a Trip was started by Kristen, who shares three teenage sons with her husband. On the blog, she shares her passion for educating kids through travel, finding off-the-beaten-path experiences, and tips for traveling together as a family.
• 2 Travel Dads — 2 Travel Dads was started by Chris and Rob Taylor, who share tips and resources for all families, including LGBTQ+ families, who want to travel with their kids. Their tagline (and focus) is “giving the kids a broad worldview.”
• Marcie in Mommyland — Marcie in Mommyland was started by Marcie, a Seattle-area mom, who compiled all her tips for traveling with kids in one place after being told she was “brave” for traveling with her kids. She believes in traveling with kids as soon as possible and shares tips and tricks for making it happen on her blog!

6. Sustainable & Wildlife Tourism

If you are passionate about sustainable travel, protecting the environment, and teaching others how to enjoy the beauty of the world while traveling responsibly — you’ll find the ecotourism travel niche to be a natural fit for your blog.

Some topics ecotourism travel bloggers might cover include sustainable travel tips, eco-friendly accommodations, wildlife conservation, national parks, and nature photography.

For example, a blog that provides information about safaris in Africa or a blog that covers the national parks in the U.S. might both be considered ecotourism blogs. Someone who shares travel guides to off-the-beaten-path destinations as an alternative to overcrowded cities would also be an example of a sustainable travel blog. 

There are a few examples of blogs that fit within the ecotourism and sustainable travel niche:

• The GreenPick — The GreenPick focuses on sharing travel guides that promote green, sustainable tourism. They do this by staying in hotels that care about their carbon footprint, eating at sustainable restaurants, visiting natural and cultural sites that invest in sustainable development, reducing waste, and using eco-friendly gear.
• Travel For Wildlife — Travel For Wildlife was started by a zoologist and conservation biologist couple who travel the world in search of wildlife-watching destinations. They support conservation by promoting and encouraging responsible wildlife tourism.
• Speck on the Globe — Speck on the Globe is a travel blog focused on sharing sustainable and ethical tourism stories. You’ll find eco-friendly accommodations, wildlife conservation efforts, and other related topics on the blog.

7. Romantic Getaways & Couples Travel

Couples travel — and, more specifically, romantic getaways — is a popular and profitable travel blogging niche in 2024. Some bloggers focus on sharing honeymoon destinations, upscale couples resorts, and romantic dining experiences, while others simply focus on sharing how to travel as much as possible as a couple while inspiring others to do the same!

As a travel blogger who shares about romantic getaways, it’s smart to become an affiliate for hotel booking platforms, so you can recommend romantic hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and adults-only resorts that couples would book for a bucket list honeymoon, anniversary getaway, or romantic weekend trip.

Here are a few examples of bloggers who have excelled in the couples niche:

• Honeymoon Always — Honeymoon Always was founded by Dan and Michelle — experts in romantic honeymoon destinations and getaways. They share information about destination weddings, overwater bungalows, all-inclusive honeymoons, and other related topics, and they also offer travel planning services for couples.
• Two Drifters — Two Drifters is a travel blog started by Amy and Nathan, who met while traveling in Scotland. They have been sharing their passion for traveling together with other couples on their blog ever since. They are focused on sharing date ideas, romantic destinations, travel tips for couples, and other topics where love and travel intersect!

8. Cruising & Sailing

Though the cruising niche took a hit during the pandemic, it is back, going strong, and is now one of the most profitable niches in 2024. Travel bloggers in the cruising niche have various topics to choose from, including river cruises, boat rentals (like catamarans and sailboats), boat tours, luxury ocean cruises, themed cruises, and more.

While a blogger in the cruise niche can become an affiliate for popular cruise lines to earn income, they might also consider becoming a travel agent to book cruises for their readers.

These are some examples of travel blogs in the cruise niche:

• Adventour Begins — Adventour Begins is a travel blog and a Travelpayouts Partner focused on sharing cruising travel tips, cruise ports, and cruise destinations. The founder, Katarina, has worked in the cruise industry for nearly ten years.
• The Cruise Blogger — The Cruise Blogger shares advice for cruising, reviews of cruise lines and cruise ships, port guides, and more. Anna, the blog’s founder, claims to write about all things cruise-related.
• Disney Cruise Mom Blog — Disney Cruise Mom Blog shares about one type of cruise only — Disney Cruises! On the website, you’ll find content about excursions, onboard activities, packing, money-saving tips, and more.

9. Road Tripping

Do you like taking the scenic route rather than jetsetting to new destinations? If so, a travel blog focused on the road-tripping niche is a great option!

Some road-tripping blogs strictly share road trip itineraries, whereas others take a broader approach. Other topics on a road trip blog might include national park guides, RV or camping tips, off-the-beaten-path destinations, or roadside attractions.

Here are a few examples of travel blogs that fit within the road trip niche:

• Road Trips & Coffee — Road Trips & Coffee was started by Jason, a travel blogger who doesn’t just write about road trips — he claims his entire life is a road trip! On his blog, you’ll find road trip guides focused on destinations around the United States. 
• Inspired Routes — Inspired Routes is a blog focused on helping people discover the outdoors with hiking guides, state and national park guides, road trip guides, and other helpful resources for those who love camping, hiking, and adventure.
• Back Road Ramblers — Back Road Ramblers is a travel blog sharing travel tips, destinations, outdoor adventures, and other road-trip-related content in the United States and Canada.

Affiliate Programs to Help You Monetize Your Travel Niche

Once you’ve chosen the perfect travel niche for your interests and travel style — consider joining a few affiliate programs as a Travelpayouts partner to monetize your website. These are a few of the best affiliate programs to choose from:

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is a hostel-focused booking platform with more than 35,000 properties in nearly 180 countries worldwide. It’s an ideal affiliate program for budget travel bloggers looking to earn a commission on budget-friendly accommodations around the globe.

• Best Niche: Budget Travel
• Commission: 5–7%
• Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

EatWith connects guests and travelers with friendly hosts for unique and immersive dining or cooking experiences from their own homes. EatWith is an awesome program for bloggers who want to connect their readers to unique cultural experiences at home or abroad.

• Best Niche: Culture & Heritage Travel
• Commission: 6%

Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is the leading authority for cruise information and offers cruise reviews, tips and recommendations, and port and destination information. Cruise bloggers may benefit from directing readers to this website for more information in exchange for a few cents per click.

• Best Niche: Cruising & Sailing
• CPC: $0.18–0.45
• Cookie Lifetime: 7 days

Priority Pass

Priority Pass provides travelers with independent airport lounge access memberships. This is an attractive affiliate program to join for luxury travel bloggers — who wouldn’t want access to an airport lounge between first-class flights?

• Best Niche: Luxury Travel
• Commission: 10%

Booking.com

Booking.com is one of the top hotel booking platforms used worldwide, with more than 6.5 million properties and hotels available. Though Booking.com is a fabulous affiliate program for almost any niche, it is incredibly profitable for niches that recommend or share hotel reviews — specifically, luxury, family, or couples travel niches.

• Best Niche: Luxury, Family & Couples Travel
• Commission: 4%
• Cookie Lifetime: One session

Viator offers over 300,000 tours and activities in more than 200 countries, including wine tastings, walking tours, cooking classes, and more. Viator is another affiliate program that does well in most niches, but it is especially profitable when sharing cultural and historical tours and experiences in the culture and heritage niche.

• Best Niche: Culture Travel
• Commission: 8%

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide helps travelers find the best things to do in a destination, including skip-the-line tickets, walking tours, food tours, cooking classes, and more. GetYourGuide is also a great affiliate program for any niche, but like Viator, it does exceptionally well in the culture travel niche.

• Cookie Lifetime: 31 days

Vrbo offers over two million vacation rental listings — from simple apartments to luxury castles — in nearly 200 countries across the globe. Since many families with kids (or multigenerational families) need more room to spread out and usually prefer more privacy, Vrbo is a great affiliate program to join for bloggers in the family travel niche.

• Best Niche: Family Travel
• Commission: 1.8%

VisitorsCoverage

It doesn’t matter which travel niche you find yourself in — almost all travelers, from budget backpackers to luxury travelers, need travel insurance. VisitorsCoverage provides travel insurance for millions of travelers in nearly 180 countries and is the largest provider of visitor’s insurance for inbound travel to the United States.

• Best Niche: All Travel
• Commission: $1–100

Choose the Right Niche and Affiliate Programs for Your Travel Blog With Travelpayouts

It can feel daunting to choose a travel blogging niche, but once you identify your unique passions and interests — you’ll find it really isn’t so difficult to choose a niche, after all! Once you’ve chosen a travel blogging niche, we hope you’ll join a few affiliate programs to start earning with Travelpayouts. Travelpayouts offers dozens of partner programs to choose from that span every niche — from budget to luxury travel — to benefit all travel bloggers. Explore all our partner programs to find the right one for your niche!

Schedule a call

9 Niche Travel Agency Examples

Alexander Ragin

May 29, 2023

Benefits of choosing a niche

Niches for travel agencies to specialize in, final thoughts.

The tourism market is huge, but fiercely competitive. The leading names are established tourist agencies that have been operating for decades with thousands of clients, so it can feel daunting to even enter the field. The good thing is that you don’t have to squeeze your shoulders to fit in, and can instead reach a different market by starting a niche travel agency.

Specializing in a certain niche can give you an advantage. It allows you to carve a space for yourself in the industry and puts you in a good position to attract clients. It allows you to avoid competing with the giants, while still appearing as a worthy service provider. Here’s how it works.

Credibility. As with every narrow specialization, travel niche operators have the advantage of expertise: specialists know everything about organizing niche tours while regular travel agents take a much broader and less detailed approach. Chances are, you will know much more about your specialism than your big competitors, and you can pitch yourself as a trusted and experienced provider.

Deep expertise. In other words, this narrow expertise helps establish your reputation. When looking for a very specific type of experience, tourists are likely to search for the best niche travel agency for their needs — the one that has provided that perfect experience regularly, for many years. Deep expertise gives you the upper hand in comparison to big travel companies.

Loyal audience. Needless to say, as a niche travel company, your audience will be smaller, but it will also be much more loyal and invested in your tours. This will allow you to take a personalized approach, which will increase customer loyalty even further. You may wish to target the Gen Z travelers, cater to female audiences, or focus on older travelers — more focus means more attention to details big travel companies might overlook.

Higher returns. Specialization and customer loyalty can also allow you to earn more money: travelers who are looking for a niche experience are often willing to pay more for exactly what they need — and your company may be the only one able to offer them that.

Now, if you find yourself wondering how to choose a niche for a travel agency, check out the next section!

There are so many possible niches that you could explore, but we’re going to look at our favorite travel agency niche ideas — the ones we think are most promising.

Nearly all of us are concerned about the environment, and ecotourism is on the rise. It’s no wonder that ecotourism is one of the most promising travel niche trends. The global market for ecotourism was estimated around 181 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, and, according to Statista, will grow more than 80% in 2027. This niche certainly has good prospects, but it also requires a lot of research and constant attention to detail.

Ecotourism is about sustainability — exploring untouched places, being in nature with minimal impact, and often taking part in conservation activities. When it comes to organizing tours, it is your duty to ensure that those principles are respected — you should strive to minimize the possible negative environmental impacts of any tour.

Provide eco-friendly transportation and accomodation options, and prioritize recycling and renewable energy sources — this is where new travel agency software like mobile apps can help you. Beyond your offerings, you should show that your company cares deeply about the environment through its brand and values.

Subscribe to our travel tech newsletter

You can choose to unsubscribe at any time

Gastro tourism

Trying local food and beverages is one of the most exciting parts of any adventure, but for some niched travelers this is their entire reason for a tour. Countries like France, India and Italy are well known for their cuisines, and many tourists are willing to travel far to try famous foods right where they are made.

There are lots of ways to make gastro tours memorable and unique: they can include cooking classes, food and beverage festivals, traditional dining ceremonies and so on. There are also plenty of sub-niches within the niche: you could focus on dessert discovery trips, beer tours, native cuisine adventures — the list goes on and on.

Your main concerns here are health and safety and dietary requirements. When you organize any food tour, you need to make sure you understand where the food has come from and that it’s safe for all your customers to eat.

Wedding tourism

Wedding tourism is one of our favorite travel niche ideas. Weddings nowadays are serious business, with lots of couples seeking unique venues and experiences for their special day to help them create unforgettable memories with their loved ones. You can make a business out of providing them with memorable trips and beautiful ceremonies, and introducing them to local customs as well.

This niche might require flexibility from you, since couples can have unusual and very personal requests — from wanting a limo or helicopter to pick them up, to holding the ceremony on a remote island! You’ll need to find ways to make it work, often by establishing a network of small, local, niche suppliers and providers.

Remember, couples want their wedding to be absolutely impeccable, so you’re going to have to operate to high standards. Before starting a travel business in this niche, ensure that you can make couples’ dreams come true and focus on providing full, 24/7 customer support.

Music tourism

Organizing tours themed around music is one of our most interesting niche tourism examples, and it’s a great idea for multiple reasons. First of all, the sheer number of music events around the world means you’ll always have a focus for your tours, and there are plenty of music-lovers willing to visit them without wanting to organize the trip themselves.

Plus, music tours are highly marketable. It’s easy to market a trip to a festival or concert when your customers are already fond of the musician or performer.

Finally, this type of niche allows for a huge variety: almost everyone enjoys at least one type of music, and you have multiple opportunities to grow your target audience by expanding on your tour offering.

By the way, here at Zoftify we have experience in developing apps for music lovers. Our recent project, Festivalio, is designed to track upcoming music events and book accommodation, flights and festival passes.

Looking for a digital solution for your travel company?

Any niche, any app, any time. Contact our team and we will share our expertise with you.

Local tourism

One of the most sustainable niche travel examples is local tourism. Some clients are curious about their own country’s history and culture, and helping them discover it is also a smart business opportunity.

There are a lot of advantages to this niche. It is usually much cheaper and easier to organize local tours than international tours. You are also much more in control of your customers’ experiences when, for example, you can personally drive to them in case of any emergency.

And of course, you’re operating within the rules and regulations of a country you’re familiar with, so you won’t have to spend extra time studying different countries’ laws to avoid any unpleasant bureaucratic surprises.

When starting a business in this niche, you need to learn enough about your country’s history in advance, in order to organize meaningful and exciting tours. Even a simple field or street might be interesting to visit if it has historical significance — perhaps it was the site of a huge battle, or a famous person’s birthplace. So do your research and then use this knowledge to attract tourists.

Adventure and sports tourism

Hiking, surfing, diving — there are so many activities associated with certain destinations, and they can absolutely drive their own tourism niche. Selling curated tours for avid mountain climbers, kayakers, or skiers can be a solid business model if you know how to provide the exact type of experience they are looking for.

Just remember that sports and similar activities are associated with risk and possible injuries. If you’re going to start a business in this niche, you need to establish robust safety measures and 24/7 customer support to keep your travelers informed and connected. If an accident happens, customers should know that your company is there to help them.

Female-only tourism

Solo female tourism is becoming more and more popular, so understanding this niche would be a sensible idea. Women nowadays feel much more empowered and independent, so solo traveling is only natural.

In order to work in this field, you need to understand your female customers, so that you can provide the services they really want instead of the services you think they want. Everyone is different: some women may like hiking trips, while others prefer staying in luxurious hotels. It is your duty to ensure their expectations are met and that they feel comfortable at all times.

Another important issue is safety — female tourists need to feel secure and confident, especially if they are traveling alone. You have to ensure that everything about the trip is predetermined, safe and inclusive.

Bicycle tourism

Bike riding is a hobby shared by people of all ages and backgrounds, so providing people with an opportunity to explore completely new landscapes while doing their favorite activity is an attractive prospect that your travel company could tap into.

Cycling is an eco-friendly and active way of traveling which means you can provide a very rich and unique experience for your customers. Reaching a certain landmark with other like-minded people can be a profound feeling which makes your trip much more memorable and special.

When working in this niche you need to focus on creating remarkable routes and providing suitable means of access to them — your clients might prefer to take their own bicycle instead of renting one from you. Another concern is your customers’ health — consider your customers’ fitness levels and access to healthcare in case of emergencies.

Dark tourism

This one might sound unusual, but in reality there are a lot of people willing to visit places associated with catastrophic events or dark and intriguing stories. The popularity of Pompeii and the Catacombs of Paris speaks for itself.

However, choosing to work in the sphere of dark tourism requires additional preparation. You need to always keep in mind that your tour may touch on extremely sensitive issues, which have to be taken seriously. Irresponsible marketing may lead to colossal reputational damage, so pay close attention to how you frame your tours.

It is most fitting for tourism of this kind to focus on history and education, so you’ll need to do some research before taking tourists to any unusual locations: the dark and mysterious allure is the main reason for their travel, after all.

The market for tourism is huge, but it’s also filled with established tour operators, so for a new business it would be a good idea to focus on a specific niche instead of trying to compete with the big players. There are many reasons that people travel: be it for food, culture, music, nature or history. Finding a niche for a travel agency requires thorough market research, but can result in a prosperous and well-respected business.

What is a niche in the travel industry?

Travel niches focus on the unique and specific reasons that people travel. There are so many reasons why people travel and why there are so many niches within the industry: tourists may fly somewhere to learn more about a certain culture, or to try their hobby in a new location, or to get a taste of a world-famous cuisine. Understanding the specific attributes of travel niches is important when you start a business focusing on one of them.

What are the different tourism niches?

Niche travel markets are so varied that it would be difficult to name them all. For example, there is ecotourism, gastro tourism, music tourism, local tourism, and even dark tourism. Learning more about all of them and thinking about the best niche for your business would be a sensible place to start.

Why is niche tourism popular?

The popularity of niche tourism is explained by its nature. Many people want a very specific type of experience, which a large agency often won’t provide because they take a generalized approach. Start by exploring different travel agent niches to see where you can add value.

Founder & CEO

Alex loves travel and tech and founded Zoftify to help travel companies use technology more effectively. Before this, he worked in tech consulting, where he led international mobile development teams.

Read other articles

Related articles

May 19, 2023

5 Real-Life Examples of Digital Transformation for Travel Agencies

What Software Do You Need to Run a Small or Medium-Sized Online Travel Agency?

September 15, 2023

Top 8 International Hotel Booking API Providers

Search Travel Market Report

• Packaged Travel
• Hotels & Resorts
• Destinations
• Retail Strategies
• Niche & Luxury
• Training & Resources
• Brian Israel
• Briana Bonfiglio
• Dan McCarthy
• Dori Saltzman
• Jennifer Arango
• Kelly Fontenelle
• Keri-Anne Slevin
• Louis Intreglia
• Sarah Milner
• Tom McCarthy

Adventure Travel: What It Really Is and How to Break Into This Lucrative Niche

Imagine riding a quad with your pack of best buddies through the Northern Cape in South Africa when a herd of giraffes running up to 37 miles an hour cuts across the path directly in front of you – whew! Or the adrenaline rush you’ll feel from inside the underwater cage in Cape Town when a massive Great White shark menacingly glides over and peers directly into your eyes just inches away with only a few metal bars between you. Or how about walking, scrambling, wiggling, and climbing your way nearly half a mile into Sudwala Cave when you catch a glimpse of the 160-million-year-old Screaming Monster? 

These are truly unique, unforgettable travel experiences, and they are just a taste of what the adventure travel niche has to offer. But rest assured, there are many adventure travel opportunities that are well-suited for those with a lower thrill-seeking threshold as well.

The adventure tourism market is huge, and it is one of the fastest-growing travel segments. It was valued at $112,227 million in 2020 and is estimated to reach $1,169,095 million by 2028, according to a study conducted by Allied Market Research.

The big question is: Is your travel agency currently selling this lucrative niche? Here is a quick primer on the market and its opportunities, from travel advisors who have established themselves as experts in adventure travel.

What is adventure travel today? Adventure travel means different things to different people. But what these experiences have in common is that they take travelers off the beaten path, empowering them to try new things, challenge themselves, and reconnect to nature and a more primal part of themselves. It is about a mindset more than a particular type of activity.

“Adventure travel is about pushing past your comfort zone and reconnecting with the world,” said Charlotte Barillier, co-owner and travel designer at Roam Travel Company. “I think now, more than ever, it has been about truly disconnecting from our technology and getting back into nature. One of my favorite things about safari is its unique ability to bring you directly to the present moment. I think adventure travel does that for all of us – it is the joy and fulfillment of being fully present.”

Ralph Iantosca, CTA, LS, DS, expedition and safari specialist, named among Condé Nast’s Top Travel Specialists 2020-2022, and owner of Iantosca Travel LLC, shared his perspective: “The category of adventure travel is very vast. A few years ago, I was asked the same question [How do you describe adventure travel?] from a traditional traveler who had never experienced anything besides museums, guides, cities, cruises, shows, etc. The question made me realize that there are so many experiences available, like trekking silverbacks in Volcanoes National Park, climbing Kilimanjaro, diving with great whites in South Africa, kayaking in Antarctica, heli-skiing, diving in the South Pacific, looking at a Japanese Zero that a Kamikaze crashed - the list goes on and on. If you are an advisor who’s never personally experienced anything in the adventure travel arena, or a client that is also a ‘traditional’ type of traveler, the new possibilities are endless.”

Who is the adventure traveler? Again, opinions vary. Iantosca noted that adventure travel has many different demographics. His clients are active, affluent, in their late 40s to early 70s, who can all make the time for this type of travel experience.

Barillier said she is “excited to see clients generally wanting to try new things and explore beyond the normal touristy sites. I think honeymooners have always sought some adventure, but it is fun to see this as a conversation with our retired clientele, as well.”

And Rebecca East, luxury travel advisor at Life:Styled Group, described adventure travelers as: “Quite often it’s couples looking for big ways to experience the ‘wow’ factor for a fun proposal idea or as a memorable honeymoon adventure. Some of our couples are more mature and have put their kids through college and are now looking to explore new places. A change that we’re seeing now is that some families are looking to combine these age groups to spend quality time together as an extended/blended family and looking for new ways to experience life together.”

Where can you send adventure travelers? Our adventure travel experts offered these destinations and activities as possibilities to recommend to your clients:

South Africa – safari, shark cage diving, rhino tagging, quad biking, mountain biking, sand boarding, hiking, biking, caving, conservation walks, bungy jumping, helicopter adventures, river boating, surfing, and scuba diving.

Rwanda – gorilla trekking, canopy walk adventure, safari, volcano hike, chimpanzee tracking, and coffee/tea tasting on a farm in the mountains.

Botswana and Zimbabwe – exploring the Okavango Delta, safari waterways, sunset cruise safari, helicopter over Victoria Falls, guided walks, animal tracking and the Big 5.

Dolomites, Italy – hiking inn to inn via feratta (a route on a mountain face equipped with steel cables, ladders, and other fixed anchors), outdoor rock climbing, boating, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, and ice climbing.

Galapagos – snorkeling, scuba diving, wildlife viewing, swimming with sharks, bird watching, hiking, and surfing.

Antarctica – Zodiac cruises, kayaking, whale watching, hiking, glacier viewing and trekking, wildlife viewing, research expeditions, and undersea polar expeditions.

Peru – hiking the Inca trail, climbing Machu Picchu, Amazon excursions, jungle trekking, dune buggy rides, sand surfing, surfing, and paragliding.

How can you break into adventure travel? For those who are new to adventure travel, Iantosca said: “The key is in understanding the experience. I would start by recommending the advisor should think about their own self-discovery with new, exciting activities they would enjoy that are in their comfort zone. This will open an entirely new business to the advisor. I then personally ask new clients to describe their PERCEPTION of adventure travel. You can learn a lot by being an active listener. If the client shares their fears, it’s easy to transition the conversation to something that would eliminate those immediately and re-engage them into something that is in their comfort level but is still trying something new that piques their interest.

“I like to see if the client is open to new experiences first. I created a form that asks about their personal interests, if they live an active lifestyle, which helps start a really fun path of discovery.” He continued: “Is heli-hiking for everyone? No, of course not, but I know that each of my clients is active, lives a healthy lifestyle, and wants to be a participant … My favorite part of the job is sharing new experiences with clients. I ask them if they can envision themselves doing these things.”

The benefit to you, as a business owner, is that this takes the conversation away from the type of travel that is viewed as a commodity, focusing merely on, for instance, hotel rooms and prices. Instead, it’s all about recommending a complete and authentic experience that is not prefabricated.

Iantosca’s parting advice to other travel advisors who are considering getting into this niche: “Do it, do it now, and don’t look back! Do it right now. There are many great suppliers who would love to work with these agents. Most agents say ‘I don’t have those type of clients,’ but that’s their own fear talking. If they get the right training and are in with the right group, the sky is the limit, and they’ll find themselves on a new career path that is full of unexpected, beautiful surprises at every turn. For example, Virtuoso has the Adventure Travel community - it’s a great place to start if the agent is connected with a Virtuoso agency. I joined Virtuoso specifically for its community of suppliers, relationships, and the opportunity to be associated with and learn this niche, which was the best decision I could have ever made.”

FROM THE SPONSOR: South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred leisure and business events destination. From breathtaking beauty to sun-soaked coasts; from wildlife to active adventure; from vibrant urban energy to the incredible warmth and cultural diversity of its people – South Africa is a traveler’s dream. Now, after two years of restricted travel movements, South Africa invites the world to come experience this country filled with rich, authentic, unfiltered experiences and to “Live Again!” South Africa has been reopened for tourism since November 2020 with globally benchmarked health and safety protocols in place, including requiring travelers to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival, as well as visitors and locals alike wearing face masks in public. For further information on South African Tourism, visit www.southafrica.net/trade . For the latest travel trade updates, follow @SAtraveltrade on Twitter www.twitter.com/SATravelTrade .

MOST VIEWED

• Report: Delta Air Lines Plans to Drop Baggage Recheck on Arrival to U.S.
• Four Spots Onboard the All-New Sun Princess We’re Not in Love With
• Op-Ed: Why I Won’t Use Costco for Travel Again
• Delta Air Lines Is Changing the Way It Boards Flights
• Catering Strike Causes Delays at Toronto Pearson Airport
• Testing the Waters with Dori: The NCL Stranded Passenger "Fiasco"
• Margaritaville at Sea Offers Advisor-Only Pricing
• Taiwan Earthquake Update: Train Services Resume, Flights Operating Near Schedule
• Horseshoe’s Jubilee Tower Becomes the Versailles Tower at Paris Las Vegas
• California Bans Drip Pricing: What It Means for Travel Advisors
• The NCL Stranded Passenger “Fiasco”: Your Replies
• Here's What Each River Cruise Line Includes

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Andrew Weir has been on the Destination Toronto leadership team for 18 years.

The newly created position will focus on implementing travel trade and communications strategies across the U.S.

The Karisma execs tease a new advisor program for the Nickelodeon properties.

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s presentation highlighted innovation and excitement.

The Level 2 advisory warns travelers about civil unrest, crime, and kidnapping. 

The all-inclusive resort is Playa’s first Wyndham Alltra resort in the Dominican Republic.

Building a Profitable Niche Travel Agency: How to Thrive in Specialized Markets

In the highly competitive world of travel, discovering and catering to niche markets can be a powerful strategy for agents looking to differentiate themselves and build a thriving agency. By focusing on niche markets, travel agents can position themselves as experts, delivering targeted, personalized offerings and exceptional service that keeps clients coming back and spreading the word. Gateway Travel, a leading host agency, recognizes the value in niche markets and is devoted to providing its agents with the resources, support, and guidance necessary to succeed in these specialized segments of the industry.

This article presents an in-depth exploration of the significance of niche markets within the travel industry and explains how Gateway Travel supports its agents in developing and growing niche travel agencies. We will discuss various niche market opportunities, such as adventure tourism, wellness travel, food and wine experiences, and luxury travel, highlighting the potential for growth and profitability in these specialized areas. By partnering with Gateway Travel and leveraging its extensive knowledge, resources, and expertise, agents can confidently navigate the world of niche markets and establish thriving agencies that stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape.

By understanding the importance of niche markets and receiving the backing of a supportive host agency like Gateway Travel, agents can carve out unique positions within the travel industry, becoming go-to experts for specific types of travelers and destinations. Embrace the opportunity to build a successful agency by focusing on niche markets, fostering resilience, and accelerating growth in an ever-changing, competitive travel market.

Identifying Niche Market Opportunities

Discovering and zeroing in on the right niche market is crucial to building a profitable travel agency. Keep the following considerations in mind as you explore potential niche market opportunities:

1. Assess Your Passion and Expertise: Identify your personal interests, destination knowledge, and industry experience to determine which niche markets align with your passion and expertise.

2. Analyze Market Demand and Competition: Conduct market research to evaluate both local and global demand for specific travel experiences, as well as assess the existing competition in your desired niche.

3. Stay Informed of Emerging Trends: Stay up-to-date with industry trends, news, and traveler preferences to identify niche markets that are poised for growth and expansion.

Examples of Profitable Niche Markets

To provide inspiration and highlight the potential for growth, consider the following examples of profitable niche markets in the travel industry:

1. Adventure Tourism: Cater to adventure seekers by offering tailored itineraries that include activities such as hiking, wildlife safari, and scuba diving.

2. Wellness Travel: Focus on travelers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation by offering spa retreats, yoga, and meditation holidays.

3. Culinary Experiences and Food Tours: Create unique itineraries for food enthusiasts, offering cooking classes, wine tastings, and local culinary experiences.

4. Luxury Travel: Specialize in exclusive, high-end vacations, providing exceptional service and attention to detail for discerning travelers.

Leveraging Gateway Travel's Resources and Support

Gateway Travel offers comprehensive support to its agents, helping them thrive in niche markets and achieve long-term success:

1. Expert Guidance and Mentorship: Benefit from personalized mentorship, coaching, and advice from Gateway Travel's experienced travel industry leaders, providing insights and guidance on building a niche agency.

2. Access to Targeted Supplier Relationships: Leverage Gateway Travel's established supplier relationships and negotiated contracts in niche markets, ensuring you have access to a range of specialized products and services to meet client needs.

3. Ongoing Education and Training Opportunities: Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and niche-specific knowledge through ongoing education and training provided by Gateway Travel, including webinars, workshops, and online resources.

4. Marketing and Branding Support: Utilize the marketing resources and tools provided by Gateway Travel to build your niche travel agency's unique brand and effectively communicate with your target audience.

Steps to Building a Successful Niche Travel Agency

With the right foundation and support from a host agency like Gateway Travel, follow these steps to build a thriving niche travel agency:

1. Define Your Niche: Determine your unique focus within the travel industry based on personal interests, expertise, and market analysis. Be as specific as possible in defining your niche to ensure a clear target audience and value proposition.

2. Develop and Curate Specialized Offerings: Design custom experiences, itineraries, and packages tailored to your selected niche, ensuring they align with client preferences and meet the unique needs and desires of your target audience.

3. Build Strategic Partnerships: Establish relationships with suppliers, local operators, and fellow experts within your niche, collaborating to develop competitive offerings and provide unparalleled client experiences.

4. Create a Strong Online Presence: Develop a user-friendly website, blog, and social media pages to showcase your niche agency's expertise and offerings, effectively communicating with your target audience and establishing your agency as a leader within the niche market.

5. Focus on Client Satisfaction and Referrals: Prioritize providing exceptional service and attention to detail for each client, ensuring their satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of repeat bookings and referrals.

Focusing on a niche market in the travel industry offers agents the opportunity to differentiate themselves, build expertise, and deliver truly personalized experiences that keep clients coming back for more. Trust Gateway Travel to provide the resources, support, and guidance needed for embracing niche markets and building a successful travel agency that stands out in a competitive landscape.

By understanding the significance of niche markets and leveraging the backing of a supportive host agency like Gateway Travel, agents can carve out unique positions within the industry, becoming go-to experts for specific types of travelers and experiences. In doing so, they can foster resilience and accelerate growth in an ever-changing, competitive travel market, ultimately achieving enduring success. Contact our host agency today to learn more!

• Travel News

Recent Posts

Strengthening Client Relationships: Mastering Customer Retention

Expanding Your Niche: Exploring New Travel Market Opportunities

Crafting Unforgettable Luxury Travel Experiences: Becoming a Luxury Travel Expert

Margaret Bourne | Start And Grow A Blog Confidently

Start your blog! Get access to the FREE Launch It: Start A Blog Course & Toolkit.

• Blog Coaching
• Personal Brand Coaching
• Client Results
• Affiliate Program
• Advertise With Us
• Start A Blog
• About Me Page Tips
• Lifestyle Post Ideas
• Food Blog Ideas
• Travel Blog Post Ideas
• Mom Blog Post Ideas
• Social Media
• Monetization
• Productivity
• Blogging Life
• Blog Courses
• Blogging eBooks
• Canva Templates

30 Popular Travel Blog Niches (2024): How To Find Your Perfect Travel Blog Niche

• August 8, 2023
• by Margaret Bourne

The travel blog niche is a very saturated one – general travel blogs that are very much like magazines can be extremely difficult to grow. This is why you’re here to figure out which of the travel blog niches (2024) you should consider for your site.

Because it sucks when you start blogging with a niche in mind and you find that it’s nearly impossible to grow your blog or monetize it .

For example, every “lifestyle blogger” knows that it’s near impossible to quickly grow their lifestyle blog when they can’t really define their audience.

So, niching down when starting a travel blog is a very good thing.

In this post, I’ll share some key tips on the most popular travel blog niches, and which ones are profitable.

You’ll learn how to choose the best one for you!

DISCLOSURE : This post includes sponsored content from Travelpayouts. It also contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer .

Bookmark this post for future reference on Pinterest

Reasons Why You Need To Niche Down With Your Travel Blog

When you’re starting a new blog , it’s so easy to fall into the trap of just writing about everything under a blog category like travel.

However, as I’ve mentioned, it’s much hard to stand out in a sea of thousands of other travel bloggers.

I know this because I once had an adventure travel blog, back in the day.

When you’re choosing your blog niche , you’ll need to do some soul-searching before you start looking for the perfect blog name and blog hosting .

Here are some of the key reasons why you should niche down with your travel blog:

• It’s easier to become a topic expert and build an audience that’s interested
• Better for SEO : with a targeted niche, search engines will understand your expertise better, ranking your posts higher
• Travel-related brands and businesses want to partner with niche experts
• It’s easier to monetize a travel blog and be profitable when you’re a niche expert

Focus on one specific niche within the travel niche, and you’ll find growing your blog much easier in the long run.

| RELATED: How To Write A Compelling Travel Blog Post

Choosing The Best Travel Blog Niche For You

Before we jump into looking at the top blog niches, let’s look at how to choose the right one for you.

What do you love talking about when it comes to travel?

If you met me in an elevator what would you say is your favourite thing about travel?

That’s your passion… and that’s what you should be writing about in your niche travel blog.

If you’re writing about something that you’re not passionate about, you’ll find yourself feeling bored or that the topics are out of your league.

The writing part of blogging should come easy for you, with as little research and time spent blogging as possible.

But if you need a bit of help defining your travel niche, here are several top travel niche ideas.

No matter your niche, you can start generating an income from affiliate marketing. The easiest way to do so – whether you’re a beginner blogger or pro – is with Travelpayouts .

It’s got over 110 top travel brands on its platform, making it super easy to manage and generate an affiliate income faster. What I love about it is that you have everything in one spot with the best travel blogging brands. No need to spend time hopping from one affiliate platform to another.

Create an account on Travelpayouts for free today.

Top 32 Popular Travel Blog Niches

While this list of the most popular travel blog niches may seem long, it’s just the start.

I’ve shared with you some of the best travel blog niches that you can consider for your new travel blog.

Once you’ve read this list, you’ll probably narrow down your travel blog niche to a list of five or so.

Your friends and family can help you determine the travel blog niche that suits you best.

After all, they probably hear you talk about a specific set of topics in one of these niches!

1. Adventure Travel Blogs

I used to have one of these that focused on hiking activities in and around Canada.

Adventure travel and outdoor activity travel blogs are extremely popular, particularly among weekend warriors.

These are blogs that focus on activities such as hiking, skydiving, rock climbing, mountain biking and other extreme sports.

Top Adventure Travel Blogs: The Adventure Junkies | Expert Vagabond

2. Solo Travel Blogs

Next on my list of top travel blog niches is solo travel blogs.

I wish there were more solo travel blogs for the UK when I was planning my solo trip back in 2008.

These are blogs that cater to people who enjoy travelling on their own. For this kind of blog, readers are looking for tips, advice and personal stories for inspiration.

Top Solo Travel Blog: The Blonde Abroad | The Adventurous Kate

3. Fashion Travel Blogs

If you’re a lover of travel and fashion, this is the right blend of blog niches that has a huge audience.

Share outfits and packing tips for various destinations.

There is a huge audience of women AND men wanting to know how to pack and what to pack.

Top Travel And Fashion Blogs: Travel Fashion Girl

4. Hotel, Transportation And Travel Gear Review Travel Blogs

This is a super-focused travel niche-style blog type that focuses on reviews.

You can stretch it to include travel gear, hotel and transportation reviews as well.

A super-focused niche site on just reviews for the travel industry.

Top Hotel, Transportation and Travel Gear Review Blog: Nomadic Matt | Clever Journey

5. Travel A Country Niche Blog

You can do very with a travel blog niche that focuses on only one country… or one area. For example, you run a blog that’s about travelling around Scotland or travel in Asia.

It works best if you’re living there and can provide first-person experiences.

This is where you become an expert, sharing tips, destinations, culture, food, and travel within the country tips.

Top Travel A Country (or Area) Niche Blog: Rick Steve’s Europe

6. Luxury Travel Blog

This is a very specific topic in the list of travel blog niches.

It may increasingly have a smaller audience, as the economy falters worldwide. So, you need to be aware that you will have a very specific audience for this kind of niche travel blog.

For luxury travel blogs you should include posts on high-end destinations, luxury accommodations, extravagant experiences and fine dining.

Top Luxury Travel Blog: A Luxury Travel Blog

7. Budget Travel Blog

The opposite of a luxury travel blog niche is a budget travel blog.

It’s increasingly a growing trending niche so you may want to jump on this niche sooner than later.

As a budget travel blogger, you’ll be sharing money-saving tips, the best travel deals and strategies for travel on a tight budget.

Top Budget Travel Blogs: The Budget-Minded Traveler | The Poor Traveler

8. Culture Travel Blogs

Some blogs are less about tips, and more about interesting information. This is the case with the travel blog niche that focuses on culture.

For blogs like this, you’re focusing on local cultures, traditions, languages and customs.

Top Culture Travel Blogs: Time Travel Turtle | Borders of Adventure

9. Food and Culinary Travel Blogs

If you love food and trying foods of the world, you need to be writing a food and culinary travel blog.

While you may be thinking of a blog full of recipes, this is more about local cuisines, food markets, cooking class reviews and culinary adventures.

Top Food And Culinary Travel Blogs: Legal Nomads | The Travel Bite | 2 FoodTrippers

10. Digital Nomad Lifestyle Travel Blogs

Some people prefer to travel the world instead of sitting in an office or working from home .

The best thing is that you can work remotely if you have a job that requires only a laptop and a wifi connection.

This travel blog niche is one of the most popular with younger readers.

Focus on remote work while travelling, co-working spaces, productivity tips and balancing work and playing tourist.

Top Digital Nomad Lifestyle Blog: The Lifestyle Hunter

11. Family Travel Blog

One of the most popular travel blog niches is the family travel blog.

You know as well as I do that travelling with little kids is never easy. Even if you don’t have kids, you know what it’s like. The crying baby/temper-tantrum-prone kid in the seat behind you on a flight is a great example.

But running a family travel blog can also include tips on kid-friendly destinations, accommodations and activities.

Top Family Travel Blog: World Travel Family

12. Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Travel Blog

Next on our list of travel blog niches is one that’s currently in the media spotlight.

However, leaving a small carbon footprint is always important, even when you’re travelling.

A sustainable and eco-friendly travel blog focuses on responsible travel, conservation efforts, eco-friendly accommodations, and ethical wildlife experiences.

Top Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Travel Blog: Green Global Travel

13. Historical And Cultural Sites Travel Blog

This travel blog niche is for history lovers.

I confess I’m prone to reading these as I love planning my trips around history.

These blogs focus on historical landmarks, museums, significant cultural sites and architecture from around the world.

Top Historical And Cultural Sites Travel Blogs: Traveling Thru History | Archaeology Travel

14. Wellness And Spiritual Travel Blog

There’s a huge trend toward self-care, wellness and spirituality right now.

So starting a blog that blends all of these things with travel makes a huge amount of sense.

With a wellness and spiritual travel blog you’ll be publishing posts on wellness and spa retreats, yoga and meditation practices, pilgrimage sites, self-care while travelling, and places for relaxation and self-discovery.

Top Wellness And Spiritual Travel Blog: Spiritual Travels | Roam and Thrive

15. Photography Travel Blog

Photography and travel go hand-in-hand, so it’s no wonder it’s on the list of top travel blog niches.

There are many gorgeous travel blogs with photography as the key focus.

As a photography travel blogger you’ll be sharing posts with your gorgeous travel shots, tips on how to get the best shots, and photo editing techniques.

You may also want to share tips on cultural practices when taking photos in different countries.

Top Photography Travel Blog: Stuck In Customs | Finding The Universe | Hand Luggage Only

16. Off The Beaten Path Travel Blog

This is for those who love to explore places that haven’t really been heard of before.

For this kind of blog, you’re going to be sharing destinations that are hidden gems that are lesser known. You may also want to post on cool travel experiences that aren’t considered very typical for tourists.

Top Off The Beaten Path Travel Blog: Off Path Travels | The Broke Backpacker

17. RV And Van Life Travel Blog

I’m seeing more RV and van life travel blogs these days, as people ditch their expensive mortgages and turn to the life on the road.

For a RV and van life travel blog, you’re going to be sharing tips on how to travel with a recreational vehicle or converted van and the best places to visit and stay.

Top RV And Van Life Travel Blog: Vanabond Tales

18. Wildlife And Nature Exploration Travel Blogs

This is a very specific type of outdoor travel blog – no crazy physical adventures with this type of blog.

You’ll be posting stories on wildlife safaris, marine life encounters, birdwatching, nature conservation efforts and perhaps photography tips for capturing animal shots.

Top Wildlife and Nature Exploration Travel Blog: The Wildlife Diaries

19. Festival And Event Travel Blog

If you love music, festivals and events… and you can’t miss Glastonbury or Burning Man, you may be best suited to write a Festival and Event travel blog.

You’ll be publishing posts on attending and experiencing cultural festivals, music events, and local celebrations from around the world.

Top Festival And Event Travel Blog: That Festival Life

20. Romantic Getaways Travel Blog

If you’re about destination weddings, elopements and romantic trips, you may be the perfect romantic getaways travel blogger.

You’ll be writing about the world’s most romantic destinations, honeymoon spots, and intimate travel experiences. Share tips for packing “special” romantic items too!

Top Romantic Getaway Travel Blog: Couple Travel The World

21. Health And Wellness Retreats Travel Blog

Specializing in health and wellness retreats is a very niche travel blog topic. But it’s one that can be extremely successful.

There is a special audience that is looking for getaways that help de-stress and calm the mind, body and soul.

You’ll be focusing on spa getaways, wellness resorts, and yoga retreats.

Top Health And Wellness Retreats Blog: The Travel Yogi

22. Accessible And Inclusive Travel Blog

If you’re a wheelchair traveller, why not start a blog?

Share your experiences and tips and tricks on how to have a great time exploring the world.

With this kind of blog, you’ll be informing readers of tips for travellers with disabilities, highlighting accessible destinations, accommodations, and experiences.

Top Accessible And Inclusive Travel Blog: Wheelchair Travel Worldwide Tips + Resources

23. Cruise And Ocean Travel Blog

There is a huge audience for cruise travel blogs.

Personally, I’m not one of them, but I do know of many in my circle of family and friends who love the idea of taking a cruise vacation.

As a cruise and ocean travel blogger, you’ll be writing about various cruise experiences, yachting and things like island hopping and coastal exploration.

Best Cruise And Ocean Travel Blog: Cruise Maven

24. Winter Sports And Skiing Destinations Travel Blog

If your passion is exploring the slopes of the best skiing resorts, and things like snowmobiling, this is the perfect travel blog niche for you.

Covering skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports destinations, as well as winter wonderland getaways.

Top Winter Sports And Skiing Destinations Travel Blog: Wild Snow

25. Haunted And Paranormal Travel Blog

If the idea of spending a night in a spooky haunted hotel room thrills you, you may be best suited for a blog about haunted and paranormal travel topics.

You’ll be sharing posts about haunted places, ghost stories associated with places and supernatural aspects of travel.

Top Haunted And Paranormal Travel Blog: Travel Triangle

26. Literary And Book-Themed Travel Blog

This is a fantastic pairing for a blog. Consider how many authors were inspired by places they travelled to.

How many great stories are set in famous places?

If you love books and love to travel, this is a perfect match.

As a literary and book-themed travel blog writer you’ll be writing about destinations from famous books, the world’s best libraries, and walking in the footsteps of top authors.

Top Literary And Book-Themed Travel Blog: Travelling Book Junkie

27. Train And Rail Journey Travel Blog

If your dream vacation is a long trip on the Orient Express, this is the niche for you.

With a train and rail journey travel blog, you’re going to be sharing train travel experiences, the best scenic rail routes and luxury train journeys.

Top Train And Rail Journey Travel Blog: The Man In Seat 61

28. Motorcycle And Road Trip Travel Blog

There’s something to be said about taking a road trip by motorcycle.

If this is your thing, why are you blogging about your cross-country road trips, motorcycle adventures and the open road?

Best Motorcycle and Road Trip Travel Blog: Motorcycle Diaries

29. Disney Travel Blog

Some people LOVE anything to do with Disney.

If you’re somebody who’s visited Disney on numerous occasions and can share invaluable tips and tricks, it may be time to start a Disney travel blog.

Top Disney Travel Blog: Planning The Magic

30. Wine And Culinary Tours Travel Blog

One of the best types of travel blog niches is a wine and culinary tours blog.

This is extremely niche as it caters to anybody who loves wine and travel.

I know it’s a huge opportunity because the wine region just southwest of where I live – the Niagara region of southern Ontario – sees huge crowds during the summer period at the various wineries.

As a wine and culinary tours travel blogger you’ll be sharing posts on wine regions, vineyard tours, wine-tasting experiences and wine and food pairings.

Top Wine And Culinary Tours Travel Blog: Winetraveler | With Husband In Tow

Blog About What You Love To Do

I truly love blogging and marketing, so it was a no-brainer to create this blog and business.

My best recommendation for aspiring travel bloggers is to narrow down your focus. It’s so much easier and you’ll be less inclined to quit your blog due to blog traffic growth difficulties.

If you make a name for yourself as a niche blog travel expert, doors open up for you and you’ll see better ways to monetize your site.

Before you click out of here, consider checking out these travel-related blogging and social media blog posts:

• 60+ Travel Blog Post Ideas That’ll Inspire Your Readers
• 100+ Travel Hashtags For Your Instagram Posts
• 100 Travel Quotes For Captivating Instagram Posts And Captions

If you need help starting your travel blog here’s a general free Start a Blog Course to get you on the road to starting yours!

You can start a travel blog with a quality hosting provider such as Namehero .

And there are many gorgeous travel blog WordPress themes out there that you can choose or build your own with Kadence Pro .

Check out my list of favourite feminine WordPress themes for bloggers and solopreneurs for inspiration.

Now go and start your dream travel blog!

QUESTION: What travel blog niche are you considering and why?

Like this post? Share it on Pinterest!

Love it? Share it! Thanks!

About Margaret

11 comments on 30 popular travel blog niches (2024): how to find your perfect travel blog niche.

Oh My God!!!! Margaret you just give me a big package. I didn’t even had an idea that there are this many niche in travel blogs. Thank you thank you thank you so much

Manasi – happy to help. This is the case in any broad niche. There are always sub-niches that you can become an “expert” in. Some work very well together: e.g. solo girl travel + food travel. Can you imagine a blog about a woman who is travelling solo, on the hunt of the tastiest food in the top cities? That would appeal to two different audiences but works nicely together.

Thank you Margaret for the excellent information! My wife and I live in Canada, and have been travelling extensively since 2020. We’ve travelled across Most of Europe by train. We’ve been to S.E. Asia, to the Middle East and next month will be doing Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. We do a few countries at a time within a region. With all this travelling and travel planning experience we wanted to start a blog. But I’m not yet able to zero in on a niche within the travel category. Could the niche be about travelling to different regions/group of countries in the world, and providing tips on how we plan our documentation (visas, etc.), flights, hotels, transportation, etc.? Your thoughts on it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Nusi – that’s lots of travel! What is something that you are really good at doing that’s problematic for others? Planning trips? Cost savings? Look at creating a niche that helps with a general travel problem, and can speak to world travel.

Thank you so much Margaret! Perhaps I could help in planning trips as it requires a lot of work and research. I’ll give it more thought. Thanks again for taking the time to respond so promptly.

You’re most welcome!

Hi Margaret, thank you for the great info here. May I ask for your opinion: if you were starting a family travel blog, in order to be able to monetize it at some point: would you recommend going for a smaller niche inside the family travel (eg. family outdoors travel), or would it be better to go for even smaller niche inside the outdoor travel (eg. family hiking, family boating, family outdoor adventures in California)? Or, would you say it is enough to stay in the broad niche of family travel?

Stay within the niche of family travel. But if you can put your own twist on it then it’s even better. Think of Family Travel, but what’s the overarching problem you’re helping that family solve? Less stress while planning, organizing and going on a trip? Creating memorable, educational experiences? What’s the vision for this blog? What do you want to impart for your readers. How can you make a difference in their lives with your posts on family travel. That’s how you build a kickass blog (and position as a niche expert). 🙂

Thanks for this! I am launching the blog section of my website in the upcoming days and my 1st article is about my trip to Bali. I am leaning towards staying in the travel niche but my sub niche is the tricky part. Thank you for these ideas!

As always, such great information! I’ll be looking at your additional posts about travel, too! Thank you!

I was thinking about you when I wrote this – the culture + culinary really works for your blog.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Travel hotspots include 5 quirky museums celebrating barbershops, mustards, spuds, Spam and superheroes

Niche museums around the nation capture the curiosities of american tastes and culture.

Fox News Flash top headlines for April 27

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Everything has a history, no matter how niche, quirky or mundane the topic may seem. 

Which means almost everything has a museum to preserve its history. 

The main streets and back roads of the United States offer plenty of evidence, including one heartland museum devoted to superhero worship. 

CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS: HERE ARE THE TOP 10 CITIES FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO READ

"Comic books date back 80 years, and we have 80 years of comic-book history packed in here along with decades of movie memorabilia," said John Osborne of the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Indiana.

Here’s a look at five of the quirkiest museums in America, preserving the past of everything and anything.

1. Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, Elkhart, Indiana

This mecca of Marvel Comics , marvelous pop culture and Hollywood hits is highlighted by memorabilia that starred in some of the most popular movies and programs of the superhero genre.

Chris Evans stars as Captain America in Marvel's "Avengers." (Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo)

Among them: the shield wielded by Chris Evans in " Captain America: The First Avenger " ; the custom-built chopper that Nicolas Cage rode as Johnny Blaze in "Ghost Rider"; and the "Batman" suit worn by Adam West, star of the 1960s TV series about the DC Comics caped crusader, during publicity appearances.

The Superhero Museum (hallofheroesmuseum.com) includes a kid-friendly arcade , free with admission, and about 75,000 comic books. 

Treasures in the collection include "Wonder Woman" No. 1 from 1942. 

2. National Mustard Museum, Middleton, Wisconsin

Slather your 2024 travel buffet with "the world’s largest collection of mustard" in the land of Cheeseheads .

NEW YORK CITY WIENER WAR RECALLS GLORY DAYS WHEN BIG APPLE BATTLES RULED BASEBALL

The National Museum of Mustard (mustardmuseum.com) offers "an ever-growing display of mustard and memorabilia, over 6,000 jars, bottles, and tins from all 50 states and more than 70 countries."

At the National Mustard Museum in Wisconsin, visitors can find information, domestic and imported dijons, and historical items from yesteryear.  (Alamy)

The Middleton monastery of mustard also hosts the World-Wide Mustard Competition and the National Mustard Day Festival . (National Mustard Day this year is Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. "We paint the town yellow" that day, says the museum on its website.)

Also, admission to the museum is always "absolutely free."

3. New York City Barber Shop Museum, New York, New York

This quirky chronicle of coiffure culture offers extensive exhibits on the art and craft of barbering on the Upper East Side of Manhattan .

It’s also a working barbershop where guests can experience the classic tricks of the truss trade in real-time today.

A vintage barbershop and pole in New York City. Date unknown.  (Getty Images)

"The history of the barber is a very rich but forgotten one," founder Arthur Rubinoff, a fourth-generation master barber, says on the museum website.

"My goal was to give respect to all barbers and our history, as well as educate. Barbering is true art with a fascinating legacy." 

4. The Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho

America’s passion for the potato is displayed, naturally, in Idaho — easily the nation’s largest source of spuds.

Entrance to the Idaho Potato Museum is seen here in Blackfoot, Idaho. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Located in an early 20th-century railroad station, the palace of tuber trivia is deeply rooted in the lore and allure of America’s most widely grown vegetable.

SPAM IS SIZZLING: GLOBAL FAVORITE SINCE WORLD WAR II IS AT CENTER OF SUSHI CRAZE

The Idaho Potato Museum also serves as a delicious diversion while exploring Idaho’s natural beauty, including the nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument .

The museum, among other highlights, has the world’s largest potato chip. Produced by Pringles in 1990, it measures 23 inches in length and 14.5 inches in width. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER  

Here's a little-known legend: Anyone who eats the world’s largest potato chip will still want another.

5. The Spam Museum, Austin, Minnesota 

"Spample" the history of the world’s most beloved tinned meat in the city where it’s been made since 1937. 

Spam fans wait in line to tour the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota. (JOEY MCLEISTER/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

"Exhibit topics range from the ways Spam packaging has changed over the years, to its role in winning World War II, a colorful ‘Spam Around the World’ exhibit showcasing the far-reaching culinary and cultural influence Spam has throughout the globe," says ExploreMinnesota.com , published by the state’s official tourism office. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Helpful "Spambassadors" guide guests through the museum, which includes interactive exhibits, especially for children.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle .

Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This U.S. City Was Just Named the Best Place to Live for Low Cost of Living

Hint: it's in Indiana.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

With inflation and mortgage rates straining Americans' finances and plans to buy a home, many are looking to relocate to communities with lower housing and living costs. States like New York, California, and Illinois are losing residents to South Carolina, Texas, and Idaho, where people can still get more bang for their buck without compromising their standard of life or job opportunities. But if affordability is truly a top priority for you, consider moving to South Bend, Indiana, which just topped Niche.com's list of cities with the lowest cost of living in America.

South Bend, which is located on St. Joseph River in Northern Indiana and is home to about 103,000 residents, received an overall grade of A- based on its performance in several categories, such as housing, jobs, diversity, and cost of living. According to Zillow, the median home value in South Bend is $169,000, or over $200,000 below the country's average, and the median rent is $935, which is also lower than the national average of $1,268. In addition, the overall cost of living, which takes into account expenses such as groceries, transportation, clothing, and utilities, is 18 percent lower than the national average.

South Bend is home to the University of Notre Dame, which has left its mark on the city's social life. It offers tons of recreational activities, restaurants, bars, sports, and arts events. Those seeking a more active lifestyle closer to nature will also thrive here, as there are dozens of parks and hiking trails. Howard Park, for example, along the St Joseph River, boasts 13 acres of facilities, including a playground and an ice trail.

South Bend's job market received a B from Niche.com, and its commute — an A. According to the Bureau of Labor, the unemployment rate in the city in February 2024 was 4.7 percent, with education, healthcare, and manufacturing among the top industries with the largest employment in the area.

However, the city's lowest scores were in the crime and safety (D+) and weather (C) categories, as South Bend records more violent and property crimes per capita than the nation's average

Another city in Indiana made it to the top three list of the most affordable places in the country, and that's Evansville, which ranked third. Second was Brownsville in southern Texas on the Gulf of Mexico.

You can read Niche.com's full list  here .