Surfing Tourism Market Report 2024

This Surfing Tourism market report covers industry characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The surfing tourism market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.0 billion in 2023 to $9.58 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the cultural impact of early surfing films and magazines, the greater accessibility and affordability of air travel, advancements in surfboard technology, the rise of surfing competitions and professional surfing, as well as the development of surf camps and schools.

The surfing tourism market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.31 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to improvements in beach and surf infrastructure, effective marketing and promotion, the development and upkeep of beaches, surf spots, and related facilities, emerging markets, and the availability of unique surf experiences. Key trends in the forecast period include a growing focus on eco-friendly practices and sustainable tourism, advancements in technology, experience-driven travel, exploration of remote and undiscovered surf spots, and luxury surf travel.

The increasing interest in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism is expected to drive the growth of the surfing tourism market in the future. Outdoor recreation encompasses activities conducted in natural or outdoor settings for enjoyment, relaxation, and fitness, while adventure tourism involves traveling to engage in physically demanding activities that often carry some risk. The rise in interest in these areas is fueled by health and wellness trends, the influence of social media, a desire to disconnect from technology, and greater accessibility. Surfing tourism contributes to outdoor recreation by highlighting coastal destinations and promoting active lifestyles. It stimulates investments in local infrastructure and increases demand for related activities and services. For example, in July 2024, the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care reported that about 90% of adults participated in sports at least once a year. Annually, approximately 13.5 million adults and 3.6 million children engage in sports, with over 3 million Australians volunteering in sports and active recreation each year. Thus, the growing interest in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism is fueling the expansion of the surfing tourism market.

Major companies in the surfing tourism market are focusing on creating surfing schools to enhance the overall experience and appeal to a wider range of enthusiasts. Surfing schools are specialized institutions that offer instruction and training in surfing. For example, in April 2022, Flying Konkan, an India-based adventure company, established the first board surfing school to attract tourists and surfers to the pristine beaches of Devgad. The school caters to all skill levels, welcoming both beginners and experienced surfers. Beginners can learn the sport even without prior swimming experience, practicing in shallower waters with smaller waves, while more advanced surfers can challenge themselves in deeper waters, where swimming skills are necessary for safety.

In May 2023, Goodsurf, a US-based developer and builder of deep-water surf pools, acquired Citywave North America for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition includes all intangible assets, rights, and responsibilities of Citywave across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and aims to advance the mission of making surfing more accessible throughout North America. Citywave North America is a US-based company specializing in surfing services.

Major companies operating in the surfing tourism market are LineUpEXplorers GmbH, The Perfect Wave Travel, Channel Islands Surfboards Inc., Body Glove International LLC, World Surfaris Pty Ltd, Firewire Surfboards LLC, Costa Rica Surf Travel Company, Wavehunters Surf Travel Pty Ltd, Waterways Surf Adventures, Nomad Surfers, Atoll Travel, The Ocean Spell Surf Travel, True Blue Travel, BruSurf Inc., Great Ocean Road Surf Tours, INTRO Travel Pty Ltd, Mojosurf Pty Ltd, Go Overseas Inc., Driftwood Mentawai Surf Travel, Surf and Sun.

North America was the largest region in the surfing tourism market in 2023. The regions covered in the surfing tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the surfing tourism market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Surfing tourism involves travel where the main goal is to participate in surfing. This type of tourism includes trips to coastal locations that provide ideal surfing conditions, such as consistent waves, favorable weather, and surf-friendly beaches. Surfing tourism typically features a variety of services and experiences designed for surfers, including surf schools, surf camps, guided surf tours, and accommodations tailored to the needs of surfers.

The primary types of surfing tourism are domestic and international. Domestic surfing tourism involves traveling within one's own country specifically for surfing purposes. This includes exploring local surf spots and engaging in surf-related activities without leaving the country. Services offered in domestic surfing tourism include surf schools and lessons, surf camps and retreats, surf resorts and accommodations, surf tours and expeditions, as well as equipment rentals and sales. The consumer base consists of both men and women, and tourist types include independent travelers, tour groups, and package travelers. The target audience ranges from beginners and learners to intermediate, advanced, and professional surfers, as well as families and groups.

The surfing tourism market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides surfing tourism market statistics, including the surfing tourism industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a surfing tourism market share, detailed surfing tourism market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the surfing tourism industry. This surfing tourism market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The surfing tourism market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as surf lessons and coaching, surfboard rentals, and guided surf tours. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The surfing tourism market also includes sales of surfboards, wetsuits, surf accessories, surf lessons, surf camps, and surf apparel. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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