Adventure sports offer more than just thrills and stunning landscapes. They can challenge us mentally and emotionally, leading to personal growth and self-discovery. Studies have proven that it's not just about the rush; it's about gaining a new perspective and reaping the many benefits of adventure sports, emphasising their transformative power. The Aquaterra Adventures Report, decoding the CEO’s affinity for adventure travel in 2024, studied responses from over 75 CEO individuals. The qualitative study revealed interesting facts, showing that CEOs seek peace and calm in new experiences. These experiences give them time and space to introspect, disconnect from opportunities, open their minds to accepting new ideas, and discover humility outside their comfort zones.
According to Vaibhav Kala, Founder of Aquaterra Adventures Pvt Ltd and an outdoor travel expert, executives in their 50s seek unique experiences beyond luxury hotels and typical vacations. They are interested in challenging themselves with activities like difficult treks and river expeditions. They look for safety and comfort from operators like us as these experiences take them out of their comfort zones. They enjoy the inherent risk that comes with these challenges and appreciate the opportunity to disconnect, which allows for introspection, ideation, and clarity. As the founder of the globally recognised Aquaterra Adventures, Kala has led expeditions from Morocco to the Inca Trail, from the Colorado River to the Yangtze, and from Kilimanjaro to the Everest Trail. His leadership, expertise in safety, risk management, knowledge, and meticulous planning, along with a strong team, are relied upon for many adventures that most trailblazing CEOs aspire to undertake.
The study found that 75 per cent of CEOs engage in adventure travel because they believe it provides an opportunity for introspection, clarity of thought, and the ability to think through new ideas without distractions. When choosing their travel experience, over 80 per cent of CEOs seek a company that can provide them with the confidence to travel as they explore unfamiliar territories. For most CEOs, safety and expertise are of utmost importance. Many CEOs aim to take a trip to the outdoors at least once a year. They believe that staying in their comfort zone can be risky, so venturing outdoors allows them to challenge themselves and regain humility, bringing a more grounded approach to their corporate life.
"Travel enriches us and expands the mind to think differently about life, living, and what is important," believes Kala. He says that travel allows one to disconnect and reflect on what could be outside our comfort zones. "Our comfort often becomes our danger zone. Through travel comes immersion, learning, and the knowledge that we are but a minuscule part of the planet. It teaches us that our predilections, biases, and opinions are irrelevant to anyone but ourselves. Travel provides new experiences that build tolerance, understanding, and mindfulness. As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, 'A man's mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.'"
The study also found that adventure travel offers an excellent opportunity for leadership development across multiple levels, and CEOs believe it is a valuable tool for building future leaders. Risk Effort And the beauty of the unknown are critical aspects of adventure travel that appeal to most leaders.
Adventure travel is a great equaliser, according to Kala. It transcends hierarchy, social classes, and management levels, bringing everyone together on the same level. “It teaches humility and offers a unique opportunity for mental and physical engagement, which is rare in the workplace. Travel provides a common ground for building grit, determination, and resilience. It also opens minds to new ideas for innovation and encourages the exploration of opportunities outside of one's comfort zone with confidence.“
Kala believes that travel has a unique way of promoting teamwork, fostering bonds, and instilling a sense of care and compassion for others. Globally, travel is used as a tool to motivate teams, enhance mental resilience, and build collaborative teams. “Whether conquering a relentless 3000-foot incline, tackling a 14-hour summit day, learning a new skill, or navigating a Class 4 rapid with your team, these attributes will undoubtedly prove beneficial when leading an organisation. Humility, mindfulness, a collaborative approach, and curiosity are key attributes that leaders develop through travel adventures.“
Kala believes productive teams collaborate effectively, set aside personal egos, and work across boundaries to accomplish tasks. Adventure travel can help teams achieve this by creating individual and team challenges in situations where the inherent risks require them to work closely together, rely on each other, and complete tasks. This attitude and approach can then be carried back to the workplace. Additionally, it helps train the next leadership level to lead teams from the front. It serves as an excellent platform for organizations to identify future leaders and plan for succession from existing teams.
The company was founded in 1995 and operates camps, an activity lodge, trekking, climbing, kayaking, and rafting expeditions in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Africa, and South America. National Geographic Adventure Magazine named Aquaterra Adventures one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009. The company was rated an 87.5 overall score, making it the only Indian travel company to feature on this prestigious list for two consecutive years. In June 2013, Conde Nast Traveller listed Atali Ganga as one of the top hotels in the world. Aquaterra Adventures also won the Outlook Award in March 2014 for Favorite Boutique Tour Operator in India and the Outlook Traveller Responsible Tourism Award.