The sports tourism industry is already a $707 billion market, forecasted to nearly triple by 2032, and Trip Advisor's 2026 Trendcast has dubbed "sweat jetting"—travel built around intense physical activity and sport—the year's defining travel trend. Pickleball sparked the last great sports travel craze, and now a new roster of rising sports is sending adventurous travelers to the far corners of the globe to play.
In the Water
Milaidhoo Maldives | Learn to Sail a Catamaran (pictured)
Within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo Maldives teaches guests to sail a Top-Cat 3 catamaran directly on property with an expert from the resort's Ocean Stories team. Lessons last around one hour, with the option to extend up to three, depending on skill level. Guests learn wind awareness, basic steering with the tiller, sail trimming, safe tacking and turning, plus balance and coordination techniques.
South Africa | Surfing in Cape Town at Ellerman House
As surfing continues to gain momentum among travelers seeking ocean-focused adventures, Cape Town offers accessible breaks and some of the world’s most dramatic and scenic coastlines for time in the water. Guests at Ellerman House can start the day with an early-morning surf session at Glen Beach, with the hotel’s concierge team arranging instructors, equipment, and transfers.
Switzerland | Water Sports at Switzerland’s Only True Beach Resort
As Switzerland’s only true beach resort and the only property in Ascona with direct access to Lake Maggiore (over 1,000 feet), Hotel Eden Roc offers wakeboarding and waterskiing directly from its private shoreline. Along the shores, guests can step straight onto the water for an unforgettable adventure for water sports enthusiasts.
Krabi, Thailand | Kayaking at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Kayaking is gaining traction with travelers seeking low-impact, full-body activity and screen-free time on the water. At Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, the Discover the Jurassic Paradise experience leads guests through Klong Root (Mirror Lake) on a Half-Day Private Kayaking Discovery, gliding across calm, glassy waters beneath a towering rainforest canopy on a route accessible to any skill level.
Fregate Island, Seychelles | From Virtual Diving to Open Water
Reopening in late 2026 with 17 newly rebuilt estates, Fregate Island offers guests diving lessons designed to introduce breath-hold diving in a supportive environment. Guests can join private or group diving excursions with the island's certified diving instructor, while younger aspiring divers can explore the underwater world in Fregate's new Magic Room, featuring immersive 4D cinema and virtual reality experiences.
Steyn City, South Africa | Lagoon Paddleboarding
The Steyn City Hotel by Saxon sets the stage for peaceful city breaks and offers a range of adventurous amenities including a 900 foot man-made crystal blue lagoon, that guests can kayak or paddle board on. The expansive lagoon serves as a centerpiece to the estate and provides a refreshing way to experience Steyn City from the water.
Bali | Surfing at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beac
While many hotels outsource their surfing schools, Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach distinguishes itself by offering an in-house school with local instructors who prioritize safety and technique. Expert instructors welcome both seasoned surfers and beginners alike to conquer the waves confidently in one of the sports most beloved destinations in the world due to ideal water temperatures, wave variety and year-round swell.
On Land
Tanzania | Run Through Tanzania with a Maasai Warrior With safari tour operator Stanley Safaris, seasoned marathoners and beginners alike can run through Tanzania's private Chem Chem Concession alongside a Maasai warrior. As the concession is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, and elephants, wildlife dictates the route in real time. Distances and terrain are tailored to each guest, whether they're chasing a new trail PR or just want an easy fun day.
Lake Garda, Italy | Ride & Recover at Cape of Senses
Road cycling is attracting a growing number of travelers, and Lake Garda has become one of Europe's leading cycling destinations thanks to its mix of lakeside routes, mountain climbs, and investment in cycling infrastructure, including the 165-kilometre Garda Cycle Route. Cape of Senses' Ride & Recover package combines guided cycling experiences with post-ride recovery at the Senses Spa, adhering to travelers seeking experiences built around sports, performance and wellbeing.
Unlocking the World’s Most Exclusive Golf Courses with ThirdHome
Golf is increasingly drawing travelers with its blend of outdoor activity, social connection, and community, particularly as more women take up the sport (according to Golfweek). Through home exchange membership club, ThirdHome, travelers can tee off at otherwise inaccessible courses around the world, including via a complimentary one-year unlimited membership to Thousand Greens, which provides access to thousands of private clubs across 40 countries.
Koh Samui, Thailand | Muay Thai at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui
The professional Muay Thai ring at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is an apt place to hone the art of the eight limbs. Led by a trained instructor, guests can be part of the property’s exclusive community during their stay and learn the national sport of Thailand in its country of origin.
Laikipia Kenya | Soccer at Segera
What began as a casual after-work activity for staff and a way to bring the community together, has grown into Segera FC, a registered club competing in Kenya’s National league and the first team from the region to win the Laikipia Governor’s Cup. Guests at Segera can attend matches and at the local pitch and even join in on practices, offering a glimpse at how it supports the community, employment and opportunity within the realms of a safari setting.
Forte dei Marmi, Italy | Tennis at Pensione America
Boasting the highest concentration of tennis courts by territorial extension in Italy, the sport is woven into the rhythm of daily life—from morning matches among locals to evening rallies long after the beaches empty. Pensione America, an adults-only retreat footsteps from the coast, is home to Tennis Club Roma—one of Forte’s most iconic and oldest clubs now protected as part of the town’s cultural heritage. Located right on the villa, the courts are shaded by trees providing guests priority access and convenience.
Huan Hin, Thailand | Move Over, Pilates: Tai Chi Is the Next Wellness Retreat
After yoga and Pilates, tai chi is the next wellness travel trend to watch, with clinical research linking the 1,000-year-old Chinese practice to lower cortisol, sharper cognitive function, improved balance, and joint-friendly strength gains. At Chiva-Som Hua Hin, tai chi sits at the heart of signature retreats like Tension Release and Aging Well, with daily guided sessions in a dedicated Tai Chi Pavilion that pair slow movement with rhythmic breathwork to calm the nervous system and reconnect body-mind awareness.
Austrian Alps | Skiing and Recovery at Mount Med Resort
Austria's Tyrol region holds more than 150 miles of ski terrain across the Kitzbühel Alps, with runs spanning forested beginner slopes to high-altitude alpine descents. Skiers looking to improve their resilience and strength can visit Mount Med Resort in Oberau following their time on the slopes for a tailored program through Ortho Mobility & Motion, built around the results from the 3D body scans, gait analysis, IHHT cellular training, and targeted strengthening to restore agility and optimize performance on the mountain.
Algarve, Portugal | Portugal’s Padel Scene Meets the Coast
As Portugal continues to establish itself as one of Europe’s fastest-growing padel destinations, guests at W Algarve can take their game to the next level on the resort’s new padel courts, newly opened to guests this year. Designed for sports enthusiasts and active travelers alike, the experience offers guests the opportunity to join as members and step straight into play, with additional opportunities to participate in friendly tennis and pickleball matches.
New Zealand |Adrenaline-fueled Sports Through Untamed Travelling
As a luxury travel company specializing in tailor-made journeys to remote and diverse destinations, Untamed Travelling connects travelers with some of the world's most exhilarating experiences. For trips to New Zealand, the company’s team of seasoned travel designers can arrange extreme outdoor sports for adrenaline enthusiasts. Standout experiences include bungee jumping at the original Kawarau Bungy site or from Auckland Harbour Bridge for a different bungee style. The intense rush of adrenaline not only heightens the moment but also locks the experience into long-term memory with vivid detail.
Dorset, England | Equestrian Sport at Louma Farm & Retreat
At Louma Farm & Retreat, equestrian sport is one of the many activities offered to guests who want to enjoy the English countryside from a different point of view. In partnership with Sandford Family Stables, Louma’s equestrian programs cater to mindfulness and connection, encouraging guests to see these animals from a new perspective. From guided horse rides to retreats focusing on Equine Connection, Yoga and therapy, guests can enjoy a blend of traditional riding and restorative practice in a picturesque setting.
