United Arab Emirates (UAE) Adventure Tourism Market Overview, 2028

The United Arab Emirates's climate, with its long periods of sunshine and warm weather, allows for outdoor activities throughout the year. While summer months can be very hot, indoor adventure activities are also available in climate-controlled environments. The country's success in attracting international tourists, particularly to cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has contributed significantly to the growth of adventure tourism. Tourists visiting for business or leisure often seek unique experiences beyond the traditional attractions. Some of the major tourist attractions in the United Arab Emirates include The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, The World archipelago and Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Al Hajar Mountains in Fujairah and many more. Despite being largely desert terrain, the United Arab Emirates boasts a diverse landscape that includes mountains, wadis, coastline, and desert dunes. Each of these terrains offers unique opportunities for adventure tourism activities. Desert safaris are immensely popular in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors can experience thrilling activities such as dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles, camel treks, sandboarding, and quad biking across the vast sand dunes. Companies offer guided tours and experiences in the deserts, providing a glimpse into Bedouin culture, including traditional meals and entertainment. The United Arab Emirates's extensive coastline offers ample opportunities for watersports. From jet skiing and parasailing to kite surfing and flyboarding, various water-based activities are available in destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. These activities are often facilitated through water sports centers and luxury resorts. According to the Dubai tourism government, over 12 million overnight visitors will visit the city between January and September of 2023, with more than 1 million of those visitors coming from outside India. According to the research report "United Arab Emirates Adventure Tourism Market Research Reports," published by Actual Research, the United Arab Emirates Adventure Tourism market was valued more than USD 1 Billion in 2022.The UAE was increasingly hosting adventure sports competitions and events. These events not only attracted athletes and adventurers but also drew spectators, contributing to the tourism sector. Events like obstacle races, triathlons, and extreme sports competitions were gaining popularity. There was an emerging trend catering to solo travelers and small groups. Tour operators were offering adventure packages designed specifically for individuals or small groups, providing more personalized and flexible experiences. In response to the pandemic, there was a strong focus on health and safety protocols. Adventure tourism operators were implementing stringent measures to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors, including enhanced sanitation, social distancing measures, and health screenings. Collaborations between adventure tourism companies, accommodation providers, and other stakeholders were on the rise. Partnerships were aimed at creating comprehensive adventure packages, offering combined deals and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Tour operators and adventure providers were increasingly utilizing digital platforms to enhance the overall visitor experience. Mobile apps, online booking systems, and interactive websites were employed to make information easily accessible and bookings more convenient for travelers. The UAE offers a plethora of hard adventure activities such as rock climbing, desert dune bashing, mountain biking, deep-sea diving, skydiving, and more. These activities appeal to adventure enthusiasts seeking extreme and physically demanding experiences. There's an increasing trend among tourists, both domestic and international, seeking more exhilarating and challenging adventures. This demand is propelling the growth of hard adventure tourism as travelers actively seek out activities that offer thrills and adrenaline rushes. Social media and influencer marketing play a significant role in promoting hard adventure activities. Influencers and adventurers often showcase their thrilling experiences in the UAE, attracting a wider audience and inspiring others to try these activities. The UAE government has been supportive of the tourism industry, encouraging innovation and investment in adventure tourism. Policies and initiatives promoting the sector, coupled with favorable regulations, have facilitated the growth of hard adventure activities. In addition based on sales channel, direct sales channels often allow for more customization and personalization. When tourists directly engage with adventure tourism companies or operators, they can tailor their experiences according to their preferences, such as choosing specific activities, timings, or combining different adventure packages. This level of personalization enhances the overall customer experience. Tourists often place more trust in direct sales channels as they can directly interact with the service providers. This transparency and direct engagement help build confidence in the quality and safety of the adventure activities offered, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased sales. Individuals below the age of 30 are often more adventurous and open to trying new and exciting experiences. They are inclined to seek thrilling and adrenaline-pumping activities, making them the prime target audience for adventure tourism operators. The UAE has a significant portion of its population below the age of 30, including a large expatriate community. These young residents, both Emirati and expatriate, are more likely to engage in adventure tourism activities, contributing to the dominance of this age group. Many individuals under the age of 30 are financially independent and have disposable income. They can afford adventure tourism experiences and are more willing to allocate their resources toward these activities. The United Arab Emirates offers a diverse array of water-based activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, kites surfing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing. This variety attracts adventure enthusiasts interested in different experiences within a water-based setting. The United Arab Emirates’ climate, with its warm temperatures for most of the year, is conducive to water activities. The pleasant weather throughout much of the year allows for an extended season for water sports, making it a favorable destination for enthusiasts seeking water-based adventures. The United Arab Emirates has made considerable investments in developing infrastructure and facilities to support water-based activities. This includes marinas, water sports centers, equipment rentals, and training centers, making these adventures more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates offers various scenic and romantic destinations that appeal to couples seeking memorable experiences. From stunning beaches and deserts to luxurious resorts and romantic dining options, the country provides a diverse range of settings for couples to explore and enjoy together. The United Arab Emirates caters to a wide array of adventure activities suitable for couples. Whether its romantic hot air balloon rides over the desert, private desert safaris, luxury camping experiences, dhow cruises, parasailing, or tandem skydiving, the country offers adventures designed for two, allowing couples to share and enjoy thrilling experiences together. Adventure activities often foster bonding and shared experiences, making them ideal for couples seeking quality time together. Engaging in adrenaline-pumping activities can create a sense of adventure and strengthen the bond between partners. The United Arab Emirates is a popular honeymoon destination. Couples often choose the country for post-wedding celebrations or romantic getaways. Adventure activities contribute to creating memorable experiences during such special occasions. Considered in this report: • Geography: United Arab Emirates • Historic year: 2017 • Base year: 2022 • Estimated year: 2023 • Forecast year: 2028 Aspects covered in this report: • United Arab Emirates 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.