Cape Town Follows Peru and More as Global Adventure Hotspots Enter the Spotlight in 2026, TTW Exclusive Interview Unveils What Travellers Need to Know

Cape Town follows Peru and more global adventure hotspots as destinations enter the spotlight in 2026. Cape Town, Peru, and more adventure hotspots are attracting travellers searching for remarkable experiences, while global adventure travel enters a powerful new spotlight. In this exclusive story, Travel And Tour World explores why Cape Town follows Peru and more destinations in the 2026 adventure conversation. The TTW Exclusive Interview from WTM Africa 2026 reveals what travellers need to know about adventure tourism, changing traveller interests, sustainability, personalised experiences, and emerging markets. Moreover, this TTW Exclusive Interview offers insights beyond rankings. Travel And Tour World urges readers to discover the complete story.

St Helena’s Craig Williams Showcases Adventure, Luxury, Sustainability and Personalised Tourism at WTM Africa 2026

St Helena is positioning itself as a distinctive destination for travellers seeking adventure, personalised experiences and remote-island discovery, with Craig Williams of Williams Taxis & Tours highlighting the island’s tourism potential during an exclusive interview at World Travel Market Africa 2026 in Cape Town.

Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 13 to 15 April 2026, WTM Africa brought together tourism businesses, destinations, buyers and industry professionals from across Africa and international markets. The event is a major B2B platform connecting the continent’s inbound and outbound travel sectors.

Williams used the event to discuss how visitor interests are evolving on St Helena and why the remote South Atlantic island is increasingly attracting attention from travellers and tour operators searching for experiences beyond conventional beach holidays.

Adventure Tourism Takes Centre Stage on St Helena

According to Williams, one of the clearest trends he observed at WTM Africa was growing interest in adventure experiences on St Helena.

He explained that the island already offers a strong combination of culture and natural attractions, but tour operators are increasingly asking about more active experiences. These include high-sports activities, fishing, hiking and other outdoor adventures that allow visitors to experience the island’s landscape more directly.

This reflects St Helena’s broader appeal as a remote destination where travellers can combine history, nature and outdoor activities within one trip.

The island’s geography is particularly suited to adventure tourism, while its marine environment provides additional opportunities for wildlife and water-based experiences. St Helena is known for diving, whale-shark encounters, fishing and marine excursions, adding another dimension to its tourism proposition.

Williams Taxis & Tours Offers End-to-End Destination Services

Williams explained that his business operates as a destination management company for St Helena, supporting visitors throughout their journey.

Its services include accommodation bookings, airport transfers and tour excursions, allowing international visitors and travel partners to arrange multiple elements of a St Helena experience through one local operator.

This local approach is particularly important for a remote destination, where visitors can benefit from direct communication with a business familiar with the island’s geography, suppliers and tourism infrastructure.

Williams also highlighted communication as one of the strongest elements of his business model.

He said he aims to remain highly accessible to clients and respond quickly to enquiries, even outside conventional working hours. The emphasis is on maintaining direct contact rather than allowing visitors to feel disconnected from their destination provider.

Personalised Service Defines St Helena’s Tourism Proposition

For Williams, the island’s friendly character is one of its biggest competitive advantages.

He explained that if a tour or service cannot operate exactly as originally planned, local suppliers attempt to find alternatives rather than simply leaving the customer without a solution.

That flexibility is particularly valuable for international travellers visiting a remote destination.

Williams also described a hands-on approach to guest care. When tour operators send groups to St Helena, he and his team seek to check on visitors during their stay and ensure that everything is working properly.

The approach reflects a broader strategy built around personal service rather than mass tourism.

Luxury Travel With a Remote-Island Character

The interview also examined how St Helena can accommodate higher-end travellers while retaining the island’s authentic and remote character.

Williams acknowledged that luxury visitors can arrive with expectations shaped by major international destinations, including premium vehicles and high-end services.

However, St Helena’s infrastructure and scale mean that it cannot necessarily reproduce the same products available in larger luxury destinations.

Instead, Williams said the objective is to provide clean, reliable and appropriate alternatives while preserving the destination’s distinctive character.

The strategy is deliberately focused on smaller groups rather than high-volume tourism.

Williams explained that the island is better positioned to welcome smaller numbers of travellers at a time and deliver a more personalised experience than attempt to accommodate very large groups.

St Helena Explores Electric Vehicles

Sustainability was another important subject during the interview.

Williams acknowledged that his business still relies on petrol-powered vehicles for transportation and excursions. However, he said the possibility of introducing electric vehicles is being examined.

There are already one or two electric vehicles on St Helena, and their performance is being observed to determine whether the technology can work effectively in the island environment.

The island’s challenging terrain is an important consideration, particularly because of its steep and hilly roads.

Williams said the business therefore needs to understand whether electric vehicles can cope with the island’s conditions before making a broader transition.

At the same time, his business is reducing reliance on paper by handling operations digitally wherever possible.

Asian and South African Markets Attract Attention

Williams also identified changing source-market interest as an important development.

He said he had observed more visitors and enquiries coming from Asian markets, while Europe remains an established source of travellers to St Helena.

South Africa is another market showing growing potential, with Williams noting an increase in enquiries from prospective clients and stronger business connections between the island and South Africa.

This diversification could be particularly important for St Helena as it seeks to broaden its international tourism reach.

WTM Africa provides an appropriate platform for that strategy because the event brings together African and international travel professionals, buyers and suppliers. The 2026 edition attracted thousands of tourism professionals and hundreds of exhibitors to Cape Town.

Communication Remains Williams’ Biggest Differentiator

Despite discussions about technology, sustainability and international markets, Williams repeatedly returned to one theme: communication.

He considers accessibility and responsiveness among the most important factors distinguishing his business from competitors.

For visitors travelling to a remote destination, the ability to contact a local operator quickly can provide reassurance before and during a trip.

Williams explained that his team also seeks to remain involved once visitors arrive, checking whether customers are experiencing difficulties and working with suppliers to resolve problems.

That hands-on model fits St Helena’s tourism proposition, where the destination’s small scale can become an advantage rather than a limitation.

St Helena Targets High-Quality, Low-Volume Tourism

The WTM Africa interview ultimately highlighted a clear direction for St Helena: the island is seeking travellers who value authenticity, adventure, personal attention and distinctive experiences rather than mass-market tourism.

Craig Williams’ comments underline how local businesses are adapting their services to meet international expectations while acknowledging the practical realities of operating on a remote island.

From adventure activities and cultural experiences to personalised transfers, accommodation and excursions, St Helena is developing a tourism proposition built around quality and direct engagement.

As international interest expands across Asia, Europe and South Africa, businesses such as Williams Taxis & Tours are helping connect the island’s remote character with a wider global travel market.

The WTM Africa 2026 interview therefore offered an inside look at how St Helena is preparing to welcome more international travellers while protecting the qualities that make the destination distinctive in the first place.

South Africa’s Top Adventure Travel Destinations: From Cape Town and Drakensberg to Addo, Tsitsikamma and the Cape Whale Route

South Africa combines mountains, oceans, wildlife reserves, forests, deserts and wine country into an unusually broad adventure-travel portfolio. Tourism is also an important part of the national economy: South Africa recorded 8,919,370 tourist arrivals in 2024, up 5.1% from 2023, while the tourism sector accounted for 953,981 direct jobs and R779.2 billion in total tourism expenditure in 2024. For travellers seeking active holidays, the strongest destinations range from Cape Town’s mountain-and-ocean setting to the Drakensberg, Garden Route, Addo, Greater Kruger and the Cape Whale Route.

Cape Town: Mountain, Ocean and Urban Adventure

Cape Town is the best all-round starting point for an adventure-focused South African itinerary because Table Mountain National Park combines hiking, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, horse riding, diving, snorkelling and water sports. Platteklip Gorge provides a direct but demanding ascent of Table Mountain, while Lion’s Head reaches 669 metres and offers a roughly 2-kilometre ascent. More experienced hikers can tackle Skeleton Gorge, while the two-day Cape of Good Hope Trail covers 33.8km. Travellers can base themselves at InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town by IHG, Atlanticview Cape Town Boutique Hotel or 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, while dining choices include Fyn Restaurant and PIER Restaurant. Cape Town Tourism describes the city as a destination where nature, beaches, biodiversity, food and adventure coexist, making it particularly suitable for combining sightseeing with active travel.

Drakensberg: High-Mountain Hiking and Rock-Art Adventure

The Drakensberg is South Africa’s major high-altitude adventure landscape, stretching across KwaZulu-Natal and adjoining areas. The mountains provide multi-day hiking, dramatic escarpment scenery, climbing opportunities and access to some of the country’s most important San rock-art sites. South African Tourism highlights the mountains’ enormous peaks, deep valleys and extensive collection of ancient San rock art. Travellers should allow at least three days for a meaningful mountain experience, with one day for a shorter valley or foothill hike, another for a longer mountain route and a third for cultural and scenic exploration. Accommodation ranges from mountain lodges and guesthouses to resort properties around the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The adventure level can be adjusted easily, making the Drakensberg suitable for experienced trekkers as well as visitors wanting shorter guided walks.

Tsitsikamma and Storms River: South Africa’s Adrenaline Coast

The Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route is one of the country’s strongest destinations for concentrated adventure activities. The Storms River landscape combines indigenous forest, steep cliffs, river gorges and the Indian Ocean. Activities include hiking, kayaking, lilo trips, canopy tours, blackwater tubing and bungee jumping. The Eastern Cape tourism authority also highlights tubing through Storms River Gorge and the famous Bloukrans Bridge bungee experience. Travellers can stay at Misty Mountain Reserve Lodge and Self Catering Chalets, Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa or Tsitsikamma Village Inn. For meals, Tsitrus Café, Marilyn’s 60’s Diner and Tsitsikamma Cattle Baron provide practical options around Storms River and the national park.

Greater Addo: Safari, Hiking and Coastal Adventure

Greater Addo is especially attractive for travellers who want wildlife and adventure within the same journey. Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s third-largest national park and is notable for its unusual Big Seven proposition, combining the traditional Big Five with the southern right whale and great white shark in its broader marine environment. The park offers self-drive wildlife viewing, guided game drives, 4×4 trails, hiking, birding and marine experiences. Guided drives generally last about two hours, with sunrise, morning, midday, afternoon, sunset and night options. The Alexandria Hiking Trail covers 36km over two or three nights, while the Tree Dassie Trail provides a shorter 7km option. Accommodation includes Woodall Country House & Spa, Camp Figtree by The Oyster Collection and Chrislin African Lodge Addo.

Hermanus and the Cape Whale Route: Marine Adventure

The Cape Whale Route is an ideal choice for visitors who want marine adventure rather than traditional safari. The route connects destinations including Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond, Hermanus, Pringle Bay, Stanford and Gansbaai. Southern right whales are commonly associated with the region from the winter months into spring, while activities include whale-watching cruises, hiking, sea kayaking, shark-cage diving, quad biking and horse riding. Hermanus lies approximately 120km from Cape Town, making it practical as either a two-night destination or an extension to a Cape Town trip. Visitors can combine marine activities with Fernkloof Nature Reserve, the Hemel-en-Aarde wine area and coastal walks.

Hoedspruit and Greater Kruger: Wildlife Adventure

Hoedspruit is a strong gateway for travellers seeking a safari-heavy adventure itinerary, particularly around the private reserves adjoining the Greater Kruger landscape. The experience centres on dawn and sunset game drives, guided bush walks, photography, birdwatching and wildlife tracking. For a higher-end stay, Kapama River Lodge and Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge offer safari-focused accommodation, while Aerotel Boutique Hotel | Hoedspruit provides a town-based alternative. The wider Kruger National Park offers an extensive activity portfolio including 4×4 trails, eco-trails, backpacking, guided walks, mountain biking, wilderness trails and game drives. This makes the Hoedspruit area particularly effective for combining luxury accommodation with physically active wildlife experiences.

Adventure Destination Comparison

What to Do, Where to Stay and What to Eat

Seven-Day South Africa Adventure Travel Plan

Why Cape Town Ranks 22nd Among the World’s Most Influential Adventure Travel Destinations for 2026

Cape Town ranks 22nd in Travel And Tour World’s The World’s Most Influential Adventure Travel Destinations for 2026, reflecting the city’s unusually broad combination of mountain, marine, coastal and wildlife experiences. The ranking evaluates destinations on the diversity and quality of adventure activities, natural landscapes, cultural significance, accessibility, infrastructure, sustainability and future tourism potential.

Cape Town stands out because travellers can combine several forms of adventure within a single destination. Table Mountain provides hiking and panoramic mountain experiences, while Lion’s Head adds another popular trekking and paragliding setting. Along the Atlantic coastline, visitors can pursue surfing, kayaking, diving and other water-based activities. The destination also extends into more extreme experiences, including shark-cage diving and coastal exploration.

The wider Cape Peninsula strengthens Cape Town’s adventure credentials through Cape Point, dramatic coastal landscapes and wildlife encounters. This means the city does not depend on one signature attraction; instead, it offers a multi-activity adventure ecosystem that can appeal to hikers, adrenaline seekers, ocean enthusiasts and nature travellers.

Its position at No. 22, immediately after Oahu and ahead of Vancouver Island/Ucluelet, therefore reflects Cape Town’s ability to combine accessibility, natural diversity, outdoor recreation and cultural depth in one internationally recognisable destination.

Five Other Adventure Travel Destinations and Their 2026 Rankings

Research into Travel And Tour World’s The World’s Most Influential Adventure Travel Destinations for 2026 shows that Cape Town sits at No. 22, surrounded by destinations with very different adventure profiles. The ranking places Moab, USA at No. 1, recognised for its desert landscapes, off-roading, mountain biking, canyon hiking and rafting. The Dolomites, Italy, ranks No. 2, with hiking, skiing, mountaineering and via ferrata routes defining its alpine appeal. Machu Picchu/Cusco, Peru, at No. 3, combines the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek with high-altitude Andean scenery and cultural heritage. Grand Canyon, Arizona, at No. 4, stands out for rim-to-rim trekking, rafting, mule expeditions and backcountry exploration. Queenstown, New Zealand, at No. 5, completes the leading group through bungee jumping, jet boating, skydiving and alpine adventures. These rankings demonstrate the breadth of the 2026 adventure market, spanning deserts, mountains, archaeological landscapes, immense canyons and adrenaline-focused resort cities.

The list was published by Travel And Tour World as an editorial outlook on destinations shaping global adventure travel in 2026.