Backpackers ditching tourist trails for lesser-known destinations, study finds

WeRoad booking data reflects its study's findings

New research into the surge in popularity of off-the-beaten-path travel and backpacking has been released today by solo adventure travel experts, WeRoad.

Founded to connect people, cultures, and stories through authentic adventures around the globe, WeRoad specializes in small group travel for Millennials and Gen Z, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences catered to every kind of traveler. 

WeRoad - specialises in small group travel for Millennials and Gen Z, polled 4,634 solo travelers aged between 20-49* to understand motivations behind backpacking and why these travellers are drawn to explore locations that aren’t considered tourist hubs. 

A recent tourism industry study by Forbes found that 68% of Gen Z and Millennials are actively seeking fresh inspiration and new ways to explore the outside world, and that often means not staying in one place. 

The company's Spring 2025 booking data reflects this mindset shift, with rising demand for lesser-known locations like Jordan, Namibia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. all destinations where moving through the landscape is a major part of the experience. 

What makes a solo traveller choose the wilds of Uzbekistan over the winding streets of Paris or Rome? 4 in 10 respondents said choosing off-the-beaten-track destinations led to ‘more meaningful and authentic experiences,’ and a third said they chose these destinations to ‘explore somewhere new.’ 

There’s no denying those winding streets get crowded and require intense phone navigation as 21% listed ‘fewer crowds’ as the reason behind their desire to go to non-touristy destinations.

Backpacking isn’t without its pitfalls. When asked about their biggest backpacking fail, almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) admitted to overpacking with items they never ended up using. This was followed by ‘running out of money mid-trip (10%), ‘losing phone or belongings’ (9%) and ‘getting lost or not finding my lodgings’ (8%).

Almost half (48%) of respondents said their biggest backpacking win was making a lifelong friendship, and 34% said their backpacking travels made their Instagram look better than ever. 10% of respondents said they’d lucked out by landing a flight or accommodation upgrade, and 7% got extra lucky by meeting a romantic partner.

Personal growth seems to be par for the course when backpacking with amost half (48%) of travellers surveyed said their experiences had compelled them to step out of their comfort zone; 27% said they ‘learned more about themselves than ever.’ Another 17% even described it as ‘better than therapy.’ 

Andrea D’Amico, CEO at WeRoad, said: “Solo backpacking has taken off with travelers eager to see the world on their own terms. They’re seeking out meaningful experiences and are deliberately pushing beyond their comfort zones. 

"Our research backs this up. For our respondents to say solo backpacking is ‘better than therapy’ is remarkable. They’re pursuing this experience because it’s challenging and life-changing. We started World Backpacker Day to encourage more people to take part in these transformative experiences.”