The trend, also described as “sportcations”, covers trips organised around activities ranging from cycling and diving to adventure sports and wellness retreats. According to Trip.com Group data, searches for active sports experiences increased by more than 30% year on year.
Search growth reached 80% in Singapore, 65% in Malaysia and 50% in the United Kingdom. France, Italy, Germany and Spain also recorded triple-digit growth, according to the company. The increase is also reflected in bookings. South Korea recorded a 150% year-on-year increase in active travel booking GMV, Singapore was up 104% and Thailand recorded growth of 200%.
European markets also registered substantial increases. Active travel bookings from the United Kingdom grew by more than 100%, while Germany recorded growth of more than 600% over the previous year.
The range of activities booked varies across markets. Globally, diving ranks as the most-booked sporting experience on the platform, followed by activities including ziplining, paragliding, skydiving and cycling.
Diving is the leading booked activity among travellers from South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, Spain, Italy and France. Skydiving ranks first among travellers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand, while Japanese travellers show the strongest preference for cycling.
Trip.com Group data also identifies Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia among the leading destinations across cycling, climbing, swimming, water sports and adventure activities.
Thailand appears across all five activity categories covered by the data and ranks as the leading destination for diving. It is also among the leading destinations for cycling, water sports and adventure activities.
Australia features across several categories, attracting bookings associated with cycling, rock climbing, surfing and kayaking, as well as adventure activities including paragliding and skydiving.
The data also indicates differences in travel party size between regions. In Europe, the average active travel party consists of one to two people, while in Asia-Pacific the average increases to two to three travellers.
Active travel is also generating increased engagement on Trip.com Group’s social content platform, Trip.Moments. Posts related to active travel increased by 99% globally year on year
Spain recorded a 224.9% increase in active travel-related posts, followed by the United Kingdom at 122.2%, Italy at 118.9%, China at 96.2% and France at 86.9%.
Engagement with this content increased at a faster rate than the number of posts. According to Trip.com Group, comments on active travel content were twelve times higher than in the previous year.
The discussions include destination information, training advice and first-hand travel recommendations, alongside content documenting sporting and outdoor experiences.
The booking, search and social engagement data indicate broader demand for holidays incorporating physical activities, including trips centred on learning new skills, pursuing personal sporting goals and participating in outdoor experiences.
Tags: Trip.com Group
