Saudi Arabia Adventure Tourism Market Overview, 2028
Saudi Arabia's vast deserts, such the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), provide as a background for a variety of events. Sandboarding, camping under the stars, camel rides, and dune bashing were available to visitors. Travel agencies provided escorted arid safaris with cultural features, such as Bedouin-style camps. Saudi Arabia boasts diverse terrains, including deserts, mountains, coastlines, and historical sites. These varied landscapes provide opportunities for a wide range of adventure activities, from desert explorations to mountain trekking and watersports. The mountainous regions, like the Asir Mountains and the Hijaz region, offer opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and trekking. The steep cliffs and varied topography attract adventure enthusiasts seeking challenging outdoor activities. The Red Sea coastline presents opportunities for watersports like snorkeling, diving, and sailing. The area is rich in marine life and coral reefs, attracting those interested in underwater adventures. Saudi Arabia's rich cultural and historical heritage offers avenues for adventure travelers interested in exploring ancient sites, heritage villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For instance, AlUla, an archaeological treasure, is a site of historical significance being developed for tourism. The Saudi Vision 2030 initiative includes plans to diversify the economy, reduce the country's dependence on oil, and expand the tourism sector. Significant investments are being made in infrastructure, attractions, and services to support adventure tourism in the country. Saudi Arabia was beginning to host adventure events and festivals, attracting both local and international participants. These events showcased the country's potential for adventure tourism and aimed to attract adventurers and thrill-seekers. Beyond natural landscapes, Saudi cities like Riyadh and Jeddah were incorporating adventure experiences. Urban adventures included theme parks, escape rooms, and indoor adventure sports centers to cater to both residents and tourists.
According to the research report ""Saudi Arabia Adventure Tourism Market Overview, 2028,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Adventure Tourism market is expected to reach market size of more than USD 2 Billion by 2028. With the diverse and picturesque landscapes in Saudi Arabia, adventure photography tours were starting to gain traction. These tours catered to photography enthusiasts, providing opportunities to capture the beauty of nature, cultural heritage sites, and outdoor adventure activities. Educational programs that combined adventure with learning experiences were starting to gain attention. These programs aimed to educate visitors about the history, culture, and geography of the region while engaging in adventurous activities. There was a burgeoning trend in adventure retreats aimed at wellness tourism. These retreats combined outdoor adventures with relaxation, yoga, meditation, and spa treatments, offering holistic experiences for wellness-minded travelers. Tourists were showing increasing interest in culinary adventures, exploring local Saudi cuisine. Tours and experiences were crafted to introduce visitors to traditional Saudi dishes, street food, and cultural dining experiences. The integration of technology in adventure tourism was on the rise. Mobile apps and digital platforms were being developed to assist adventure travelers, providing information, maps, safety tips, and guided tours. The emergence of adventure festivals and events was drawing attention. These events celebrated outdoor activities, extreme sports, cultural showcases, and highlighted the diverse adventure opportunities available in the country. Collaborations with local communities were gaining importance. Initiatives were being developed to involve indigenous communities in adventure tourism, offering visitors authentic cultural experiences and supporting local economies.
The country has made efforts to preserve its natural landscapes, promoting low-impact tourism. Soft adventures such as eco-tours, nature walks, bird watching, and wildlife safaris allow tourists to experience the natural beauty while maintaining the ecological balance. The country has certain restrictions and regulations related to adventure activities, favouring softer adventures that are in line with cultural norms and regulations. Soft adventure activities tend to be more acceptable within the conservative cultural context of Saudi Arabia. The country actively promotes its historical and cultural attractions through various marketing campaigns and initiatives, emphasizing softer adventure experiences that highlight the rich heritage and historical significance of the region. Soft adventure activities are generally more accessible and less physically demanding. This accessibility makes these activities more attractive to a broader range of tourists, including those who may not be inclined towards extreme or physically challenging adventures. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has a growing young population, and the youth in the country are increasingly seeking out diverse and exciting experiences. As this demographic becomes more financially independent and willing to spend on travel and experiences, there's a surge in the demand for adventure tourism. Individuals below the age of 30 often exhibit a more adventurous spirit and a greater inclination toward trying new experiences and seeking adventures. This demographic is more open to exploring unconventional activities and seeking unique travel experiences, aligning well with the essence of adventure tourism. In addition, Travel agents offer local expertise and guidance, which is especially valuable in adventure tourism. They can provide insights into off-the-beaten-path locations, lesser-known adventure opportunities, and cultural experiences, offering tourists a more comprehensive and customized adventure package. Travel agents often offer promotional deals, discounts, and bundled packages for adventure activities. This aspect appeals to travelers seeking cost-effective adventure options without compromising on the quality of the experiences.
Saudi Arabia has been investing in developing infrastructure to support air-based activities, such as paragliding facilities, skydiving centers, and scenic hot air balloon rides, making these activities more accessible to tourists. The country offers diverse and spectacular landscapes suitable for aerial activities, including stunning deserts, mountains, and coastal regions. The breathtaking views and varied topography make for ideal settings for activities like paragliding and hot air ballooning. Aerial adventures provide unique, unforgettable experiences that are often the highlight of a traveler’s journey, creating lasting memories and encouraging positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Developing aerial adventure tourism contributes to economic growth by creating job opportunities in the tourism and adventure sports industry. This growth aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader economic diversification goals. Furthermore, globally, there has been a steady rise in solo travel. This trend is also becoming more prevalent in Saudi Arabia, especially among younger individuals who seek independent and immersive travel experiences. Solo travelers often seek unique, customized experiences that allow them to explore destinations in their preferred manner. Adventure tourism offers diverse and tailor-made experiences that cater to individual preferences, attracting solo travelers seeking exclusive adventures. Saudi Arabia is developing infrastructure to accommodate solo travelers. The country is investing in more solo-friendly accommodations, transportation options, and safety measures, enhancing the appeal for independent adventure seekers.
Considered in this report:
• Geography: Saudi Arabia
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028
Aspects covered in this report:
• Saudi Arabia Adventure Tourism market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation
By Type
• Hard
• Soft
By Activity
• Land Based Activity
• Water Ways Activity
• Air Ways Activity
By Type of Traveller
• Solo
• Group
• Family
• Couples
By Age Group
• Below 30 Years
• 30–50 Years
• Above 50 Years
By Sales Channel
• Travel Agents
• Direct
The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.
Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Adventure Tourism industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.