Operator expects ‘surge’ of interest in Silk Road from new series of Race Across the World

The latest series of Race Across the World is expected to spark a “surge” of interest in the Silk Road and the final destination of Mongolia.

Small group operator Explore Worldwide believes the new BBC series will trigger a consumer focus on the eight countries visited.

The sixth series of the adventure show starts on Thursday (April 2) as five teams embark on the journey of more than 12,000km across Europe and Asia.

The route covers Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.

Described as the most extreme race to date, conditions swing from 30-degree Mediterranean heat to sub-arctic temperatures of minus 20°C with the five teams having to survive on a budget of less than £26 per person per day.

The teams will race from Palermo in Sicily to the remote village of Hatgal on the shores of lake Hovsgol in northern Mongolia. 

Retracing parts of the ancient Silk Road, they will follow in the footsteps of traders who once connected the east and west.   

Last year’s Race Across the World, which saw participants racing from the Great Wall of China to the tip of India, hugely resonated with audiences, leading to a huge spike in interest for the three countries featured, according to Explore Worldwide.  

The company claimed a 211% uplift in searches for China following the season five premiere. Meanwhile, Nepal has seen an increase of 41% and India of 39%.

The operator is anticipating similar results for the countries visited, in particular Uzbekistan and Mongolia.

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.”