Adventure tourism witnesses strong growth in 2025

From high-altitude treks and mountain biking in India to alpine kayaking in Switzerland or husky safaris and Northern Lights excursions, travellers are increasingly opting for unique experiences.

- ROSHNI SHEKHAR

Travel operators have seen a rise in adventure tourism across several age groups in 2025, from high single digits to double-digit growth compared to last year.

‘Adventure-based travel bookings on EaseMyTrip have seen moderate double-digit growth in 2025 compared to 2024.

‘Thomas Cook India is witnessing rising interest among Indian travellers for adventure tourism, while its subsidiary SOTC Travel has observed that adventure-led holidays continue to gather momentum in 2025, with travellers increasingly choosing destinations built around outdoor experiences.

“While around 50 per cent of Indian travellers overall show a preference for adventure experiences, interest is significantly higher among Gen Z, where around 60 to 65 per cent plan to include adventure sports in their next trip,” said Rikant Pittie, chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder, EaseMyTrip.

“Millennials continue to contribute strongly as well, particularly in international travel, where activity-driven itineraries shape booking decisions. The segment is seeing steady participation from older travellers too. This indicates that adventure travel is no longer age-specific but is evolving into a broader category that appeals across generations,” Pittie said.

The growing YOLO (You Only Live Once) mindset, coupled with a desire for immersive outdoor experiences, is driving demand, primarily across age groups from 20 to 45 years, according to Thomas Cook India.