Action Sport Tourism in France Perspectives & Opportunities

The Sportivisation of society and changes in tourism consumption patterns have given rise to Sports Action Tourism.

A documentary study of this seemingly emerging concept has enabled us to define the characteristics of a post-modern consumer-actor. Turning their backs on mass tourism, these new travellers are looking for unique experiences. Action sport tourism responds to this demand, offering three types of sensations linked to the discovery of a new environment (tourism), the movement of the body (action) and the sensation of performance (sport).

Against this backdrop of societal change, the covid-19 pandemic has opened up new development opportunities for this form of experiential tourism. This health crisis has also triggered a rethink of environmental issues.

In order to confirm this trend and gain a better understanding of consumer concerns, a quantitative survey of potential customers was carried out between December 2020 and May 2021. The results of this survey were compared with those of a Quebec study published in April 2021. The latter, which looked at travellers' views on post-pandemic tourism, confirmed the hypothesis of a sports-oriented society favouring active, local and friendly tourism. An opportunity for the tourism industry to attract new customers.