South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Activity Type (Hard, Soft), By Group Size (Solo, Couples, Family, and Groups), By Booking Mode (Travel Agent, Direct, Marketplace Booking, and Event Planners), and South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts To 2035

South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Size was estimated at USD 43.7 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 9.39% from 2025 to 2035
• The South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 117.3 Million by 2035

According to a Research Report Published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The South Korea Adventure Tourism Market Size is anticipated to Reach USD 117.3 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 9.39% from 2025 to 2035.  South Korea’s adventure tourism market is driven by regulatory liberalization under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, encouraging new fund launches and the growing institutional investment from entities like NPS and KIC and rising interest in AI-based quantitative strategies are accelerating market expansion.

Market Overview

Adventure Tourism is that kind of tourism that encompasses physical exertion, cultural interaction, and closeness to nature. It is generally identified with travel to distant, strange, or hostile destinations. The activities of adventure tourism can be hard adventure or soft adventure. Hard adventure activities are dangerous and take immense preparation, dedication, and expertise. Examples of hard adventure include skydiving, scuba diving, mountaineering, and caving. Adventure tourism can educate people to listen, be safe, and harden up. Adventure tourism offers worth, and this entails improved physical and mental health and a respite from the stresses of city life. There are many recent developments in the adventure tourism industry. For instance, London's Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group is preparing to float on the stock exchange. The high-end travel company has reportedly commenced preliminary discussions with bankers for an initial public offering (IPO) in about 18 to 24 months.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea adventure tourism market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea adventure tourism market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea adventure tourism market.

Driving Factors

Many factors drive the growth of South Korea adventure tourism industry. Increased disposable incomes have encouraged more people to invest in travel and recreational activities, including adventure tourism. The greater popularity of adventure sports such as trekking, bungee jumping, and scuba diving is bringing in a diversified demography. The trend is also sustained by the impact of social media, where sharing adventurous activities has emerged as a key driver for the market. Another deciding factor is increasing consciousness and demand for sustainable and green tourism. Tourists are increasingly ecologically aware and look for experiences that involve them on a personal level. Safety protocols also come into play, making adventure activities accessible and appealing to more people. In addition, the move towards individualized and small-group travel experiences also suits the personal inclination of adventure seekers.

Restraining Factors

Some of the issues likely to counter the growth of South Korea's adventure tourism industry are the high price of adventure activities, which may discourage budget-conscious tourists. The second is safety issues, with the style of the adventure sport itself causing skepticism among potential participants. Further, the environmental footprint of some of the activities poses sustainability concerns, with the danger of draconian control and less regulation. Seasonal limitations are also present since adventure tourism activities are largely seasonal, which results in varying demand.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea Adventure Tourism Market share is classified into activity type, group size, and booking mode.

• The soft segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea adventure tourism market is segmented by activity type into hard and soft. Among these, the soft segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. It is accessible to a broader audience, including families, older travelers and new adventure activity users. Soft adventures consist of walking, wildlife safaris, and cultural excursions, which provide adventure without high ability levels or danger. Soft adventures are accessible to a larger number of people due to the lower ability level and fitness required. Soft adventures tend to combine adventure with relaxation and culture, generating a more even holiday experience. Furthermore, green and experiential tourism follow the same trend and develop this industry, where travelers want entertainment, enriching, and safe experiences.

• The group segment dominated the market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea adventure tourism market is segmented by group size into solo, couples, family, and groups. Among these, the group segment dominated the market share in 2024. Group travel tends to create a feeling of safety and collective thrill, which raises the overall adventure tourism experience. Group tours are economical, utilizing group booking discounts and combined costs, thereby being more affordable. Adventure activities are also more exciting and pleasurable if done with friends and family or like-minded friends. Organized group tour travel also provides experienced guides, organized itineraries, safety features, and logistical assistance, which attracts beginners to adventure travel.

• The direct segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea adventure tourism market is segmented by booking mode into travel agent, direct, marketplace booking, and event planners. Among these, the direct segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The enhanced convenience and ease of the utilization of online reservation systems allow travelers to plan their itinerary more easily. Direct bookings allow tourists to customize adventure activities based on individual needs, with middleman services eliminated. Increased user-friendly websites as well as smartphone applications have facilitated power to travelers to make comparisons, conduct research, and reserve activities. In addition, direct bookings have cost advantages since they remove or minimize service charges levied by travel agents. The immediacy of communication with service providers ensures more transparent and guaranteed bookings, and therefore this booking mode is appealing to self-service and tech-savvy adventure seekers who love independence and freedom in planning their holidays. It also avails the advantage of booking tours anywhere in the world.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea adventure tourism market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Adventure Korea
• Yeha Tour
• Korea E Tour
• MYGOODLIFE
• Intrepid Travel
• G Adventures
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea adventure tourism market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Adventure Tourism Market, By Activity Type

• Hard
• Soft

South Korea Adventure Tourism Market, By Group

• Solo
• Couples
• Family
• Groups

South Korea Adventure Tourism Market, By Booking Mode

• Travel Agent
• Direct
• Marketplace Booking
• Event Planners