With adults aged 18-25 most likely to consider going on an overland expedition - Is the overland expedition market more appealing to the single and independent travellers?

Overland operators were amongst the first companies to take tours to Vietnam, Eritrea and Libya - Are overland expeditions important within the tourism industry?

Can the Internet be used as a distribution medium for the overland expedition sector?

This is the first Mintel report dedicated to overland expeditions. Overland expeditions as a tourist activity began in the late 1960s and were synonymous with the hippy backpacker, however, the market has developed considerably from those early days and now appeals to a much broader range of holidaymakers.

With adults aged 18-25 most likely to consider going on an overland expedition - Is the overland expedition market more appealing to the single and independent travellers?

Overland operators were amongst the first companies to take tours to Vietnam, Eritrea and Libya - Are overland expeditions important within the tourism industry?

Can the Internet be used as a distribution medium for the overland expedition sector?

This is the first Mintel report dedicated to overland expeditions. Overland expeditions as a tourist activity began in the late 1960s and were synonymous with the hippy backpacker, however, the market has developed considerably from those early days and now appeals to a much broader range of holidaymakers.

The sector is dominated by a number of small operators originally set up by dedicated overlanders. It is worth noting that the overland expedition sector is in many ways one of the most pioneering elements of the tourism industry. Because their clients are prepared to sleep in tents, and travel to destinations that do not offer many or any of the comforts sought by most other tourists, overland expedition operators are usually the first to take tours to countries after they open up to tourism following a period of war or social change. In the early and mid-1990s, overland operators were amongst the first companies to take tours to countries such as Vietnam, Eritrea and Libya. Consequently, overland expeditions have an important place within the tourism industry. Overland travellers are often the first tourists that local populations meet, and their behaviour and that of the operating companies is likely to shape their attitudes towards tourism for years to come. Fortunately, most companies have recognised this responsibility, and they support a wide range of charities and organisations that uphold environmentally and culturally responsible tourism.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Special Report, Holidays - Planning, Buying and Financing Holidays from the UK, 2001

- Group Travel, Leisure Intelligence, November 2001

- Ethical Tourism, Leisure Intelligence, October 2001

- Crossing the Channel, Leisure Intelligence, September 2001

- Directly Booked Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, August 2001

- All-inclusive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, August 2001

- Airlines, Leisure Intelligence, June 2001

- Camping and Caravanning, Leisure Intelligence, May 2001

- Fly-drive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Budget Hotels, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Self-catering Holidays Abroad, Leisure Intelligence, March 2001

- Long-haul Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, February 2001

- No-frills/Low-cost Airlines, Leisure Intelligence, February 2001

- Visiting Friends and Relatives, Leisure Intelligence, December 2000

- Premium Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Youth Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Singles on Holiday, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- The Impact of Media on Travel, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- Tourist Catering Habits, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- Holiday Special, Holidays and Crisis Management, 2002.