Explore Worldwide has predicted a surge in interest for the eight countries that will feature in the new series of the BBC’s Race Across the World, which begins this Thursday (2 April).
Returning for its sixth season, the BBC hit show follows five teams of two as they race across multiple countries. Travelling more than 12,000km, this year’s contestants will begin their adventure in Italy before heading to Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and reaching their final destination in Mongolia.
Explore said that last year’s Race Across the World, which saw participants racing from the Great Wall of China to the tip of India, led to a 211% uplift in searches for China. Nepal experienced a 41% increase and India a 39% hike.
Managing Director Michael Edwards said: “It’s great to see lesser-known areas of Europe and Asia – countries we’ve been sharing with explorers for decades – having their moment in the spotlight.
“These destinations are already proving to be popular with our customers, with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan up 71% and 49% year-on-year respectively – and the show hasn’t even arrived yet.”
