Europeans enjoy watching and participating in sports. Sports tourism products aimed at the European market must meet a high standard and be managed based on sustainable principles. Packages to attend or participate in events are commonly sold through specialist sports tour operators. There are opportunities for local tour operators to create exciting sports tourism packages that either offer a mix of different sports or include cultural or other elements.
1. What are the European requirements for sports tourism?
European tour operators must comply with several regulations to ensure that their clients are safe and financially protected. Individual companies will also have their own requirements when working with operators, including sustainability rules. These are usually set out in their code of conduct and/or terms of business. It is critical to understand these requirements and update business processes where necessary to meet companies’ expectations. Sustainability in all areas of tourism provision is essential for European tourism suppliers, so you must embed sustainability in your business.
What are the mandatory and additional requirements that buyers have?
There are mandatory and additional requirements for sports tourism services across the sector. They include:
The European Package Travel Directive
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Liability insurance and insolvency protection
To find out more about these requirements, read the CBI study What are the requirements for tourism services in the European market?. This study will help you understand the legal, non-legal and common requirements that European tour operators must comply with. If you understand these requirements and can adapt your business accordingly, tour operators will be more likely to do business with you. It is important to European buyers that they can trust their suppliers to meet their and their customers’ needs.
What are the requirements for niche markets?
It is important to manage your sports tourism company well and to establish high standards. Making sure your business is managed based on sustainable principles is also an essential requirement to attract European sports tourists.
Establish standards
Sports tourism trips for either watching or participating in sports need to be well managed by local operator partners. It is important that they meet high standards to attract the European market. To ensure the safety of their customers, European tour operators will conduct regular risk assessments. They will assess safety procedures, equipment, maintenance procedures and the accommodation provided.
Depending on the niche your sports tourism business specialises in, the standards that you should consider complying with are listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1: ISO standards for sports
Sport
Details of standard
Adrenaline sports (rock climbing, abseiling, skydiving, hang gliding)
Two international standards are widely used in the adventure tourism segment.
The ISO 21101:2014 covers safety management systems. The practical guide for SMEs can be used to develop, implement and continually improve a safety management system.
The British BS8848:2014 standard sets out requirements for adventurous activities outside of the United Kingdom.
Kiteboarding/kitesurfing
Kiteboarding is a difficult adventure sport that requires skill and involves risk. Operators that offer kiteboarding must have rigorous safety protocols in place.
ISO 21853:2020 specifies the minimum requirements for a safety release system to immediately disconnect the user from the kite.
Cycling
The ISO 4210-1:2023 sets out safety requirements for bicycles.
There are seven ISO standards that cover safety requirements for the design, use, stability and load capacity of ‘floating leisure articles for use on and in the water’, such as stand-up paddleboards and canoes.
You can check out the different ISO 25649 standards and consider whether or not complying with one or more of these standards would benefit your business.
Sailing
Two ISO standards cover bareboat charters (sailing without a crew).
ISO 20410:2017 – Minimum service and equipment requirements.
ISO 22876:2021 – Supplementary charter services and experiences.
Other standards cover requirements for marinas. You should check whether your local marina has ISO certification.
Skiing and winter sports
ISO 11110:2015 – Specifies the tests and requirements for devices used to determine the release moments of ski-bindings.
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
Tips:
Have a look at the CBI infographic that outlines the sports tourism market segments and niches, and find out more about the wide range of sports in your niche.
Practical advice to package your services for participants’ convenience
Many sports tourists visit specific destinations to attend large sporting events, or they travel to take part in a planned sporting event (either as an individual or in a group). See the How is the end-market segmented? section below for more information about the European sports tourism market.
Figure 1: Great Ethiopia Run – marathons are major sporting events all over the world
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
European operators that specialise in sports tourism holidays are looking for reliable partners to provide services to them and their customers. There are opportunities for operators to bundle several services for this large group of sports tourism spectators and participants. Find out which local and international sporting events are taking place in your country and consider how you can sell packaged services to target spectators or participants from Europe.
Table 2: Participatory sports events in developing countries in 2020/21
Host destinations in 2023/24: San Andrés, Colombia; Redang, Malaysia; Cam Ranh, Vietnam; Curaçao; Yucatán, Mexico; Soma Bay, Egypt; Galápagos, Ecuador; Phuket, Thailand; Lima, Peru; Salvador, Brazil
Multiple dates
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
Follow this practical advice when creating packages for the European market:
Include admission tickets: Create a package that includes admission tickets, accommodation and transportation to a local/regional event. Packages can be for a set number of days/nights, or tailor-made. Food and/or beverages may or may not be included. The more flexible you can be, the more likely buyers will want to do business with you.
Set competitive prices: Make sure that your package is competitive by assessing what other local operators offer. You could add value to your offer by including extras, such as a free programme, two nights for the price of one, free transfer to the airport/train or bus station, and so on.
Include extras: If you have contacts in the sporting world and can arrange a fan meeting with a local sports star, you can give yourself a competitive edge.
Involve charities: Some sports tourists may be participating in an event to raise funds for a particular charity. Check which charities are operating in your destination and find out if they are interested in bringing groups of supporters.
Include local cultural activities: Link your sports experience with local cultural activities. For instance, you could host a friendly football match with a local team or school followed by a social activity or meal.
Include sightseeing: If you are located near an important sports stadium or sports museum, or near an important monument or attraction, combine your activity with a sightseeing trip.
Well-trained guides: Make sure the guides you employ are well trained, and that they can communicate with your visitors in their own language.
Quality accommodation: Pay attention to the quality of the accommodation you offer. For school/university trips, dormitory-style accommodation may be suitable, but you should have separate dorms for men and women. For other groups, be clear about the group size you can accommodate. Consider apartment-style accommodation, or hotel accommodation that is conveniently located. Bedlinen, including towels, should always be provided.
Clean sanitary facilities: European tourists demand clean and private bathrooms. Basic facilities are acceptable, but doors must have locks.
Secure storage: For sports tourists who bring their own equipment, like bicycles, ensure that you provide secure storage facilities, such as bike racks and storage lockers.
Secure transportation: If you provide transportation, ensure that the vehicles you use meet safety standards that are acceptable to European operators. Read the CBI study 10 tips for organising your tourism services export to Europe for more information about the relevant liability insurance requirements for European operators.
Finally, do not forget about travel companions who might not be taking part in the event but are coming along for support. Think about what you might be able to offer them, like a sightseeing trip or discounts on admission tickets.
Be a sustainable tourism provider
Sustainability is very important to European travellers these days. Even if you are not certified as a sustainable tourism provider, you should integrate sustainable principles into your business if you want to attract European buyers.
Like other niches, sports tourism can make an important contribution to sustainable tourism:
It can provide jobs and income opportunities at a local level.
It can help empower local women to get involved in tourism and inspire them to take part in sport.
It can boost a destination’s attractiveness to inbound markets while increasing length of stay and visitor spending.
It can help attract visitors outside the peak season.
It can benefit the health and welfare of local people by providing sports opportunities.
To make sure you are operating sustainably, you must consider the economic, social and environmental impact of your tours. Minimising negative impact and enhancing positive impact are key to a successful sustainable tourism business. Making your business ‘green’ and ensuring social responsibility are important elements. For more information about this, read the CBI reports 10 tips to go green in the tourism sector and 9 tips on how to become more socially responsible in the tourism sector.
2. Through what channels can you access the European market?
The end-market of sports tourism is a mix of spectators attending large national or international events, and participants in sporting events like marathons, open water swims, cycling events and triathlons. They mostly book their trips through specialist sports tour operators that put together special packages. Local tour operators can target sports tourists on holiday and fully independent travellers (FITs) looking to attend events and/or take part in sports while on holiday.
Figure 2: Open water swimming is one element in a triathlon
The sports tourism market can be segmented into three major groups:
Spectators (at mega events): this group travels to watch mega sporting events. These include the Olympics, world cups for major sports such as football, rugby and cricket, and staged events like the Tour de France. Golf and tennis are also major spectator sports. Spectators whose primary reason to travel is to watch a sporting event may also want to play sports during their trip.
Individuals: Tourists travelling solo to attend a specific sporting event or to engage in sports on holiday without it being connected to a particular event.
Participating in sporting events/accompanying spectators: Includes sports tourists who travel to take part in staged events such as marathons or triathlons. They are either professional athletes or amateurs. It is important to remember that they will often be accompanied by family members or friends who are coming along to support them, so this group offers additional opportunities.
Taking a sports holiday/engaging in sports while on holiday: Sports tourists travelling for the main purpose of doing sports they are passionate about, such as diving, golf or skiing. Sometimes they take part in several sports while on a trip for a different purpose. Sport is therefore a secondary reason for travel. Typical sports activities for this type of tourist are water sports, golf, cycling and surfing.
Groups (participating in sporting events): Groups that travel as part of sports tours are generally secondary school or university students, or adults who belong to a club. They usually go on trips to compete against similar teams in other countries/regions, or to train together.
As groups, spectators and participants overlap with all age and consumer groups, and with each other.
Table 3: Examples of activities per type of sports tourist
Spectators
Individuals
Groups
Mega events (Olympics, football/cricket/rugby world cup, golf/tennis championships)
Sporting events (marathon, triathlon)
School/university group sports tour (rugby, cricket, football, netball)
National sporting events
Sports holidays (diving, cycling, skiing, golf)
Local teams/groups on tour to play/watch sports (golf, cricket, football, rugby)
Regional/local sporting events
Holidays that include sports activities (water sports, cycling, surfing)
Groups going on a training camp
Try a sport while on holiday (diving, golf, tennis, Muay Thai, lucha libre)
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
Through what channels do sports tourism products reach the end-market?
For mega events and sporting events such as marathons, triathlons, cycling events and group sports tours, specialist sports tour operators, ticket sellers and event organisers are the main sales channels.
For individuals who want to do sports on holiday, European tour operators selling adventure products and other activities are the main sales channels. These types of sports tourists will also buy packages directly from local tour operators and online travel agents (OTAs).
The chart below shows how sports tourism sales are made.
Figure 3: Channels for selling sports tourism products in the European market
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
The sales channels in this market include:
Specialist sports tour operators for mega events: there are many specialist operators that offer packages to see major sporting events, such as Gullivers Sports Travel (UK), Venatour (UK) and Vietentours (Germany).
Specialist sports tour operators for groups: this is a large group of tour operators that exclusively offer sports tourism tours. One of these operators is KIJU (Germany), which specialises in sports tourism for children. Another one is Sporting Holiday Group (UK), which offers international sports trips for teams and clubs. Sports trips for students are a specialised area on account of the ages of the participants and the need for appropriate safety measures. Examples of operators in this category include Edwin Doran Sports Tours (UK), Absolute Sport Travel (UK) and Lozère Évasion (France).
Specialist sports tour operators for participation events and event organisers: operators that specialise in participatory events are used by both professional athletes and non-professional participants. Examples include Sports Tours International (UK) and La Toupie Bleue (France).
European tour operators: sport tourists looking to travel to enjoy their sport of choice may use an operator that specialises in that specific sport, such as Dive Worldwide, Freedom Treks (which specialises in cycling holidays in Europe and Asia) or Your Golf Travel.
OTAs and direct sales: sports tourists and FITs who want to take part in other sporting activities, or find a match/event to attend while on holiday, will use the following providers:
General OTAs like Viator and Tripadvisor, which are good platforms for booking match/event packages, or for taking part in sports.
Tips:
Look up the International Sports Travel Agencies Association (ISTAA). This is a not-for-profit association with members in over 50 countries that promotes sports tourism. You can browse its member list to find sports tour operators in Europe and beyond.
European tour operators and OTAs are the most interesting channels to explore, as they offer good opportunities to reach a range of groups and individuals travelling for sports. Research the most suitable European partners to approach for the type of sports tourism product you sell. Read more about this in the CBI studies 10 tips for finding buyers on the European tourism market and How to work effectively with OTAs?.
If you are a local tour operator targeting the FIT market, you should research suitable OTAs and consider having an online presence to attract independent travellers. Read the CBI study How to be a successful tourism company online? to help you create a good website or build a new one, so you can reach your market effectively.
3. What competition will you face in the sports tourism market?
Sports tourism is a significant tourism sector. The global sports tourism industry was estimated to be worth US$587.87 billion in 2022, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% from 2023 to 2030. Most countries around the world offer some form of sports tourism. This means that the market is very competitive. The Asian market is expected to grow the fastest over the forecast period.
Which countries are you competing with?
The main countries you are competing with are those that have a history of hosting spectator and participation events, as well as countries where sports are popular. These include India, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt and Thailand. They are not your only competitors though. You should also research other countries with a good sports tourism offering, like Turkey, Japan and China.
India
India’s sports tourism market was valued at US$ 9,469 million in 2022. It is forecast to grow significantly at a CAGR of 14.8% to US$37,646 million by 2033. Growth is being driven by government initiatives to develop new infrastructure, and there are many travel agents and tour operators that provide interesting packages around major sporting events.
Cricket is India’s national sport, and it is very popular amongst the Indian population. Matches attract many thousands of spectators from all over the world to stadiums such as the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata – India’s oldest cricket arena, built in 1964. India is also home to the world’s largest cricket stadium, the Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat, which can seat 110,000 spectators. The country is looking to attract more international sports fans by diversifying and investing in sports such as tennis, rugby and golf.
South Africa
South Africa’s sports tourism market was estimated to be worth US$3,666 million in 2022 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 9.0% until 2032. Its global market share is estimated to be between 2% and 5%. The country has hosted several mega events, including the Whitbread Round the World Race, the All-Africa Games and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The continued hosting of major events like these is expected to drive future growth.
With a long coastline along two oceans and a spectacular mountainous interior, South Africa is a well-known destination for all types of sports tourism, including both participatory and spectator sports. Participatory sports include surfing, diving, water sports, cycling and mountain biking, along with all kinds of adrenaline sports, such as abseiling and bungee jumping. Cape Town is also a leading destination for school sports trips, such as rugby and netball competitions.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the world’s best-known countries for football and beach sports such as volleyball. Brazilians are passionate about playing and watching their national sports. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are major destinations for sports tourism, and the country hosted the world’s most famous football tournament, the FIFA World Cup, in 2014. It also hosted the Olympic Games in 2016 and is home to the only Olympic golf course in the world. The Maracanã stadium, which was used during both the World Cup and the Olympics, is a popular attraction in its own right.
Since 2016, watching and participating in sports have become increasingly common reasons to travel to Brazil. Participatory sports are extremely popular in Brazil, and tourists have a wide range of options. These include hang gliding in Pedra Bonita, surfing, windsurfing and sailing in Baia de Guanabara, and kitesurfing in Barra da Tijuca. Mountain biking, marathons and the 180-kilometre Transcarioca Trail, the largest urban trail in the world, are other popular options.
Mexico
Mexico has a wide offer for sports tourists, including adrenaline sports. Cliff jumping originated in Acapulco and the La Quebrada Cliff Divers put on regular shows of daredevil antics from cliffs as high as 35 metres. Football is Mexico’s most popular spectator sport, followed by lucha libre, or Mexican wrestling, which has a big fan base. Scuba diving is very popular in Mexico, and the country is home to some excellent and challenging dive sites.
Cozumel is a growing destination for sports tourism in Mexico. In 2022, it hosted the Mazda Ironman 70.3, which attracted participants from 42 countries. The Mexican tourism sector plans to position Cozumel as a sports island to strengthen the country’s reputation as a leading sports destination.
Egypt
Located on the Red Sea, Egypt is one of the world’s premier diving destinations. In 2019, the diving association PADI named Egypt as one of the six best places to dive in the world. The Red Sea region is home to other adrenaline sports as well, including kitesurfing, rock climbing and desert cycling. In addition, it hosts a number of participatory events, including the popular Pyramids Half Marathon every December.
Egypt is conveniently located for European sports travellers and easily accessible via international airlines. The added allure of some of the world’s most iconic cultural attractions means the country has a strong position in this market.
Thailand
Thailand is well known for active sports holidays and for its national sport, Muay Thai, a form of boxing. The country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry aimed to generate 40 billion baht (€1 billion) from sports tourism in 2022 by hosting events like the Amazing Thailand World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Figure 4: Rock climbing is a popular sport in many countries
The country’s diverse and varied landscape, ranging from tropical rainforests to white sandy beaches, lends itself to a wide range of different sports activities. Many cities and resorts offer Muay Thai experiences, encouraging visitors to step into the ring themselves. Cycling, water sports, beach volleyball and triathlon are common pursuits for active sports tourists as well.
Thailand also offers wellness sports activities, such as yoga and Pilates. Thanks to this combination of different kinds of sports, the country has become a popular destination for European sports tourists.
Key takeaways:
Think about your country’s national sport, or a sporting activity that is particularly popular in your country, like diving or cycling. Can you offer experiences that include watching, participating in or learning more about these sports? Nostalgia tourism activities, like visiting famous stadiums or museums, are also popular in sports tourism.
Find out when large spectator events or international participatory events like marathons, cycling events or triathlons are scheduled in your country. If you are located close by, see what packages you could create for the market.
Which companies are you competing with?
Researching what other sports tourism businesses do is a good way to build your knowledge of the market. Find out more about what is happening in your destination. Most specialist sports tour operators offer packages for large spectator events, while adventure products and other activities are typically sold through local tour operators that sell a wide range of different tourism products. OTAs are also a good channel for selling adventure and activity products.
India
There are many thousands of local tour operators all over India. Most Indian operators, like La Vacanza, offer a wide range of tours, including sports experiences and tailor-made trips and activities. Specialist tour operators like Fanatic Sports specialise in creating packages for large events all around the world.
Ashoka Holidays offers a 9-day cricket tour around India that includes top cricket destinations in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Moreover, travellers get to participate in matches against Indian school and/or club teams. The tour also includes museum visits and other cultural experiences, like sightseeing visits to major attractions and elephant rides.
South Africa
Side by Side Experiences offers immersive tours, events and activities hosted by and directly benefiting communities in Cape Town. These immersive, hands-on experiences take place in lesser-known areas, including formerly segregated ghettos, or townships. Members of local communities take photos of participants, which they then share with them using Google Drive. This is a good example of ‘adding value’ to your tour. The company’s offer includes a football match with a Youth Club Founder, and Zumba and story sessions.
Side by Side Experiences has teamed up with lots of other operators to provide experiences to its customers, and the company’s homepage includes a carousel of excellent reviews from these operators. The company also sells experiences through Viator and Tripadvisor.
Cape Town Sports Tours divides its trips into four categories: visit, compete, train and relax. It offers cricket, netball, swimming and hockey tours through its academies, targeting travellers of all ages, from school children to adult club members. Customers can also book trips to attend cycling and running events, while those looking to unwind can climb Table Mountain or visit Robben Island. The operator is a member of Cape Town Tourism and the South African Tourism Services Association, guaranteeing high-quality tourism services.
Sports Tours promotes value sports travel packages for major sporting events. Its offer includes golf championships such as the Masters, US Open and Open, as well as motor racing, rugby events like the Six Nations Championship, cricket, tennis and football.
Brazil
Play Sports Brazil offers sports trips combined with cultural activities, such as sightseeing and visits to beaches and major attractions. Trips are usually tailor-made according to the preferences of the customer, who decides how many games or practice sessions they want, and which excursions are included. The sports offered include football (often called soccer in Brazil), volleyball, basketball and extreme sports. There are lots of positive testimonials on the company’s website, along with images, videos and interviews. Play Sports Brazil has a social responsibility policy and encourages interaction between guests and local community service projects.
Rio Mountain Sports offers rock climbing and hiking experiences in Rio de Janeiro, which it sells through its own website and Tripadvisor. The company, which is owned and managed by an experienced climber, offers guided climbs as well as courses. The website uses inspirational images to tempt new customers and is available in both English and Portuguese.
Mexico
Cozumel H2O specialises in scuba diving experiences ranging from single-day activities to longer diving courses. It also offers snorkelling. The operator has partnered with several organisations, which are featured prominently on its website. These include PADI and emergency organisations like Emergency First Response and the SSS Recompression Chamber Network. This is important, as it provides reassurance to potential customers.
Plaza Maratones specialises in trips for people who want to participate in marathons around the world, including Mexico, and in adventure marathons in destinations as diverse as Myanmar and Jordan. The company caters for both individual and group travellers.
Several local guides take visitors to see the famous La Quebrada Cliff Divers, to football matches in the famous stadiums in Mexico City and to lucha libre matches. Viator is a good way of marketing such tours, many of which include visits to other places or extras, such as dinner or city tours.
Egypt
Egypt Divers offers a range of products, including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving tours and courses. The company’s website is available in Dutch, German, French and English, and there are links to its social media pages, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. While there are many products aimed at divers, non-divers are also catered for, which is an important consideration for local operators.
Tornado Surf is an independent sports centre located in Safaga, on the Red Sea. It specialises in kitesurfing and windsurfing and also offers stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and catamaran experiences. The company’s website is available in English, German and French and showcases highlights to incentivise potential customers.
Thailand
Co van Kessel offers bicycle tours in Bangkok and specialises in taking travellers to off-the-beaten-track places to visit local communities and experience real Thai culture. The website offers a mix of inspirational photos, animations and graphics, and it features a large number of positive testimonials, including from European customers. Bike tours can also be combined with boat tours, and walking tours are an option as well. The website, which is available in Thai and English, features a blog section and videos.
Key takeaways:
Involving local communities is a great way of making your tour more sustainable and making sure communities benefit from tourism. Europeans are big football fans, and taking part in local matches helps create a bond between tourists and local communities.
Combine different sporting activities in your tours to add value and interest. Lots of sports tourists are enthusiasts rather than experts, and they like to try different things on a trip.
Remember that lots of spectator sports tourists travel with their partners and/or families who may not be as interested in the match or event they have come to see. They might want to try other sporting activities, or interesting activities that are not related to sports.
Which products are you competing with?
Adventure tourism travel products and experiences are the key competing products for sports tourism providers. Adventure tourism often involves many activities that can be combined in multiple ways. You should therefore familiarise yourself with the adventure tourism segment by reading the CBI study What are the opportunities in the European market for adventure tourism?.
4. What are the prices of sports tourism products?
The prices of sports tourism products vary widely, depending on the type of experience.
Ticket prices for mega events are published when the event is announced, and they will usually vary depending on where spectators are seated. Agencies like Ticketmaster and Stubhub are well-known sellers of tickets to mega events. Specialist operators often work with event organisers to create packages to sell to customers.
For individuals taking part in an event like a marathon or triathlon, the cost to enter is set by the organisers.
Trips planned for schools, universities and groups are usually tailor-made and priced according to the needs of the group. The group size, itinerary, inclusion of excursions and accommodation needs will all have an impact on the price, as will the number of guides and/or coaches required.
The table below gives an idea of the kinds of prices that are typically charged for a variety of short-duration holiday sports experiences.
Table 4: Prices for sports experiences in competing countries per person (pp)
Sports experience
Country
Duration
Price pp (€)
Rock climbing on Sugar Loaf Mountain
South Africa
6 hours
22.10
Diving and Snorkelling in Hurghada
Egypt
7 hours
25.40
Play soccer/football with a Youth Club Founder
South Africa
2 hours
26.30
Sightseeing Tour of Mumbai including Oval Cricket Ground
India
8 hours
28.25
Energising Yoga in the Park
Thailand
1.5 hours
29.80
Group Surf Lesson
South Africa
1.5 hours
43.75
Muay Thai Boxing Show with Ringside Seats
Thailand
5 hours
50.15
Experience Lucha Libre in Mexico City
Mexico
3.5 hours
54.10
Maracanã Stadium Tour - Behind the Scenes Access
Brazil
3 hours
56.50
Explore Kolkata Full Day Tour, including Eden Gardens Cricket Ground
India
8 hours
97.50
Football/Soccer Matchday Experience
Mexico
6 hours
133.20
Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
2 hours
148.55
Kitesurfing Safari
Egypt
4 days
520.00
Source: Acorn Tourism Consulting
Factor in all your costs before setting a price for your sports tourism product. You should also consider other relevant factors, such as seasonal spikes and dips in demand. The article Pricing your tourism business offers a practical step-by-step guide to help you set your prices and boost sales.
Many cycling enthusiasts are looking for new holiday destinations, but only the more adventurous ones are likely to consider Ethiopia. Our clients are those going for more than just the cycling; almost all know something about Ethiopia's rich history. Pricing our tours is a challenge, not least because the airfare alone is typically double that of a European destination. Our average tour duration is 10 days, and once our clients are on tour with us, they never fail to have a great experience. Client reviews and word of mouth count a lot for us.
Richard Nerurkar, International Participant Manager, Great Ethiopian Run, Ethio Cycling Holidays
