Adventure tourism is an enriching experience that allows you to explore destinations in a personalized way and at your own pace. And more and more people are choosing to venture into remote and challenging destinations, even far from the traditional tourist routes, to try adventure travel that takes them out of their comfort zone.
From trekking to ascents of large mountains, through ski touring, cycling routes, scuba diving and other sports, the variety of options to enjoy contact with nature is wide and diverse.
Although it is not a new practice, interest in outdoor activities has become even more relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people have sought refuge in nature as a way to maintain their physical and emotional well-being.
On the other hand, social platforms for athletes and sports communities have recorded a significant increase in the practice of hiking and other outdoor activities in countries such as Spain, where the popularity of these activities has experienced a growth of 130% in recent years.
What are the statistics of adventure tourism?
- Couples are the group most likely to participate in adventure tourism, representing 40% of these travelers.
- They are followed by people traveling alone (25%), groups (20%) and families (15%).
- Women are more likely than men (51% vs. 38%) to seek adventures on their own.
Why travel to an outdoor environment with activities?
- 85% of tourists between 30 and 40 years old are inspired by the activities they see on their social networks. (living new experiences and traveling like locals are the key motivations for adventure travel)
- 78% of people say that being physically active outdoors is their main motivation for adventure travel.
- 69% of adventure tourists enjoy interacting with nature.
- Traveling to an outdoor environment is the third most popular reason for participating in adventure tourism, as cited by 66% of outdoor enthusiasts.
There are different types of adventure tourism depending on the environment in which it is practiced:
- Terrestrial: mountaineering, hiking, airsoft, quad routes, mountain biking, skiing, canyoning, caving, safaris,
- Aerial: zip line, hot air balloons, hang gliding, paragliding, rappelling, bungee jumping
- Aquatics: canoes, kayaks, diving, snorkeling, surfing, kite surfing, flyboarding, rafting, water skiing, wakeboarding
This type of tourism does not seek to discover natural resources as such, but rather that nature itself is the framework in which we live different types of experiences, always with respect for the ecosystem.
What is the No. 1 destination in the world for adventure tourism?
Europe generated more than 40% of adventure tourism traffic in 2023. As for countries, the United States leads the way with 18% of visitors, followed by Italy (9%) and Tanzania (7%).
For now, the global adventure tourism market is expected to grow at a compound annual increase rate of 15.2% from 2022 to 2030 to reach $1,009.6 trillion in 2030.
Unlike other types of trips, those who do adventure tourism do not focus so much on tourist attractions to decide their destination, but rather on the possibility of stimulating adrenaline surrounded by impressive scenery, exploring remote and in some cases wild places.
If you are planning your next trip to be an adventure trip, it is important to have specialized insurance that covers specific activities. You must inform the insurance company what activities you are going to do to be sure that you will be covered in the event of an accident and thus enjoy the experience.
