About

Summary 

Watersports is a substantial tourism niche, part of the broader nautical segment. Europeans are watersports enthusiasts, taking part in all sorts of watersports including windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, kayaking and motorised watersports. The sector is experiencing growth, driven in part by evolving watersports, new technologies and fitness trends. 

Our Approach

Acorn Tourism undertook extensive research into the cycling tourism segment to uncover key issues in the sector. The study explored the main European source markets and identified the different types of watersports participants, whether hard or soft adventurers. Requirements to operate watersports safely were outlined along with the need to establish sustainable best practice standards. The study defined the main sales channels through which Europeans source their watersports trips, and profiled some of the main competing destinations around the world.

This study to identify opportunities on the watersports tourism market was commissioned by the CBI, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, part of an extensive market research programme with Acorn Tourism. This business guide was one of a comprehensive series of product development business guides to support SMEs in developing countries to target their travel products to European market.  

Outcome 

Acorn Tourism’s research resulted in a robust study that was full of important information and detail about the watersports niche market, and how to attract the European market. Developing countries have some of the best places to start a watersports business, namely anywhere there is a body of water – ocean, sea, river, or lake, and the study confirmed there are many good opportunities for SMEs to establish themselves in this market.