PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1716939
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1716939
Cycling tourism is a travel style where bicycles are the primary mode of transportation, enabling tourists to explore various destinations while enjoying recreational or leisure cycling. It includes a range of experiences from long-distance bike tours to shorter rides in both urban and rural areas. Often, cycling tourism integrates elements of eco-tourism, outdoor adventure, and cultural exploration, encouraging sustainable travel and offering a unique way to experience landscapes, attractions, and local communities.
The main types of cycling tourism include road cycling, mountain biking, urban cycling, and touring and adventure cycling, among others. Road cycling involves riding on paved roads with an emphasis on speed and endurance. Tours can be self-guided, guided, or packaged, catering to different age groups such as 18 to 30 years, 30 to 50 years, and over 50. Bookings can be made directly, through company websites, or via travel agents, and are available to solo travelers, groups of friends, couples, and families.
The cycling tourism market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides cycling tourism market statistics, including the cycling tourism industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cycling tourism market share, detailed cycling tourism market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cycling tourism industry. This cycling 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 cycling tourism market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $115.44 billion in 2024 to $126.09 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising eco-friendly travel, increasing health consciousness, expansion of cycling infrastructure, growth in adventure tourism, and government support for sustainable transport.
The cycling tourism market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $176.94 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing popularity of e-bikes, the expansion of digital and virtual cycling experiences heightened focus on wellness tourism, growth of cycling-friendly infrastructure, and rising environmental awareness. Major trends in the forecast period include a surge in eco-friendly and sustainable travel practices, expanded cycling infrastructure and safety measures, the emergence of specialized cycling events and festivals, the development of themed cycling routes and experiences, and the expansion of collaborative partnerships between tourism boards and local businesses.
The growing trend of eco-friendly travel is anticipated to drive the expansion of the cycling tourism market. Eco-friendly travel involves tourism practices that aim to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability, such as reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and supporting local ecosystems. This trend is gaining momentum due to increased environmental awareness and a rising desire among travelers to reduce their carbon footprints and adopt sustainable practices. Cycling tourism aligns with eco-friendly travel by offering a low-carbon, sustainable method for exploring destinations while minimizing environmental impact. For example, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a UK-based travel and tourism forum, reported in January 2023 that consumer demand for sustainable tourism is growing, with 69% of travelers in 2023 actively seeking eco-friendly travel options and nearly 60% having chosen such options in the past two years. Consequently, the increasing trend toward eco-friendly travel is expected to boost the cycling tourism market.
Leading companies in the cycling tourism market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as cycling adventures, to enhance travel experiences and promote sustainable tourism practices. Private cycling tours offer personalized bicycle journeys tailored to individuals or small groups, featuring custom routes and experiences based on specific preferences. For instance, in February 2024, LifeCycle Adventures, a US-based cycling tour operator, introduced new cycling tours in Croatia. These premium private tours include options for guided or self-guided experiences with hybrid, road, and e-bikes. The tours cover the scenic coastlines of the Istrian Peninsula, picturesque hilltop villages, and historic farms, with the option to extend the journey to Venice and Trieste. Ideal for spring, early summer, and fall, these tours offer a combination of scenic routes and cultural experiences.
In January 2023, Active Travel, a travel and tourism company based in the UK, acquired Inspired Italy Cycle Business for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is in line with the broader trend in the travel industry toward sustainable and active tourism options, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences for more immersive and eco-friendly travel experiences. Inspired Italy, also a UK-based travel and tourism firm, specializes in crafting unique adventure experiences, including guided and self-guided cycling tours that emphasize cycling and local culture.
Major companies operating in the cycling tourism market are Recreational Equipment Inc., Travel + Leisure Holdco LLC, Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, Explore Worldwide, Backroads, Vermont Bicycle Tours (VBT) Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Trek Travel, Macs Adventure, Exodus Travels, Great Explorations, Saddle Skedaddle, Austin Adventures, Biking Tours Portugal, Ciclismo Classico, Trafalgar, Cycle Europe, Pure Adventures, Bicycle Adventures, Peak Tours, Arbutus Routes, BikeHike Adventures
Europe was the largest region in the cycling tourism market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cycling tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the cycling tourism market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The cycling tourism market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as guided tours, bike rentals, support services, and cycling events and competitions. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
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.
Cycling Tourism Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on cycling tourism market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for cycling tourism ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The cycling tourism market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market 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 forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.