RISE OF THE NIAGARA FALLS WALKING TOUR
If you’ve been paying any attention to the tour industry over the last few years you have likely noticed the increased popularity of walking tours.
The World Tourism Organization now says they’re “one of the most popular ways to experience a destination.”
Forbes says tour companies that specialize in hiking and walking tours saw record bookings in 2022.
While walking tour companies like Butterfield & Robinson and Backroads are both seeing double digit % growth in yearly walking tour bookings according to the New York Times.
This growth of walking tour popularity is also being felt here in Niagara Falls Canada (good timing for us eh?).
Why are more people choosing walking tours over other types of tours?
Let’s discuss a few of the biggest reasons.
1/ A WALKING TOUR IS ALMOST ALWAYS THE CHEAPER OPTION
Let’s face it, despite the other reasons below playing a major role, there’s no question that the relative cheapness of walking tours is a major draw (especially in terms of a self-guided Niagara Falls walking tour).
Saving money is something we all have in mind during the best of times and when budgets get affected as the cost of living goes up, we look to stretch our travel dollars even more.
Because walking tour companies don’t need to carry the significant overhead related to owning and operating a vehicle (i.e. car, van, bus etc.,), they’re able to price tour packages lower which is very attractive to travelers.
People love when they can spend less to get the same (or we’d strongly argue better, more on that below) experience.
RELATED ARTICLE: How Much Does a Niagara Falls Tour Cost?
2/ THEY ALLOW YOU TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE AREA
A Niagara Falls walking tour is not only cheaper, it’s also the better experience.
“Go slowly to see the world.” It’s a mantra of Butterfield & Robinson and one we have adopted when it comes to Niagara Falls.
Rather than seeing landmarks from a distance through a window while rolling past in a van or bus, walking tours allow you the time needed to fully take in the sights, smells and sounds.
You could call our all-inclusive walking tours all senses tours.
And don’t forget about the superior photo op quality when it comes to walking!
3/ WALKING TOURS ARE FRIENDLIER TO THE ENVIRONMENT
President of Intrepid Travel North America says “The majority of global travelers (87%) say they want to travel more sustainably.”
What’s more sustainable than ditching the car, van or bus and lowering your carbon FOOT print by booking a walking tour (we love walking puns)?
Niagara Falls tours make the perfect candidate for walking since there are so many historical sites, attractions and points of interest located within a few short miles of each other.
This means that not only will Niagara Falls walking tours not break the bank, they won’t hurt your body either.
Speaking of which...
4/ THEY’RE SAFER & HEALTHIER
Compared to being piled into a tour van or bus shoulder to shoulder with people (often strangers), a walking tour allows you more freedom of movement and air space to breathe freely.
Especially in a post pandemic world, this is something more people are considering when participating in an experience, especially a tour.
With any Niagara Falls tour, you’re often part of a larger group. However the benefit of a walking tour is that you can stick closer to your people while still getting to share the experience with other likeminded travelers.
Let’s not forget all of the general health benefits that come with walking and the lower risk of physical injury by not traveling in a vehicle.
Walk Niagara Tours offers all-inclusive walking tours of Niagara Falls. Our tour guides lead groups 7 days a week between April and November.