Multi-day tours poised to be travel experiences’ next high-growth frontier

Posted by Kate Harden-England on

Multi-day tours poised to be travel experiences’ next high-growth frontier

Arival publishes guide to more than 50 OTAs to help operators navigate new segment

The market for multi-day tours and experiences is growing, with global sales across roughly 10,000 operators topping an estimated US$89 billion in 2019, says Arival. 

After a pandemic-driven slowdown, many companies offering multi-day experiences are now matching or exceeding their pre-pandemic revenues by mid-2025 as travellers seek deeper, more curated journeys that single-day excursions can’t deliver.

Industry data confirms the momentum as according to a recent industry report multi-day tour bookings have surged, with operators reporting increased demand for customised itineraries and multi-day solo-only group trips. 

The segment has grown at an annual rate of 26.6% over the past three years, reaching $12.1 billion in revenue in 2024. 

Travellers are increasingly prioritizing immersive, stress-free travel experiences that combine convenience with cultural depth, making multi-day tours a compelling alternative to fragmented, single-day planning.

To help the experiences industry navigate this new trend, Arival has released a definitive guide to more than 50 online travel agencies (OTAs) specialising in multi-day tours and custom trips.

It has also launched a new research initiative into the multi-day sector, with 40 in-depth operator interviews and a global survey now underway. 

The resource breaks the OTA landscape into three clear categories – package tours, custom trips and specialty experiences – and offers practical advice on commission models, platform requirements, reputation benchmarks and support services.

“We identified more than 50 OTAs focused exclusively on multi-day programmes,” said Douglas Quinby, co-founder and CEO of Arival. 

“This is no longer a niche. The multi-day segment is becoming a core growth driver for the experiences industry. Travellers want more than just a day tour; they’re looking for curated, multi-day journeys that deliver deeper engagement and less hassle.

"Our guide helps operators understand the distribution landscape and position themselves to meet this rising demand.”

The guide’s three OTA segments include:

  • Package tour OTAs offering pre-organised, scheduled group departures (e.g. TourRadar, Exoticca, TourHub)

  • Custom trip OTAs that design personalised private itineraries through local experts (e.g. Evaneos, kimkim, Tourlane)

  • Specialty OTAs dedicated to themes such as wellness, adventure, cycling or sustainable travel (e.g. Responsible Travel, Divebooker and Book Retreats)

Before committing to a new distribution partner, Arival has the following recommendations for operators:


  • Review commercial terms, including payment, cancellation and commission rates (typically 15-20 percent)

  • Check peer reviews on industry forums and traveller sites for OTA reputation

  • Speak directly with OTA teams to assess responsiveness and support

  • Validate booking volume via case studies, partner referrals or web-traffic tools

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