ATTA: Croatia ranks well in the world in the development of adventure tourism

The Adventure Travel Trade Association and George Washington University's International Institute for Tourism Studies have released the Adventure Tourism Development Index

Author  HrTurizam.hr

January 13, 2025

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and George Washington University's (GW) International Institute for Tourism Studies have announced Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI) for 2024.

This year's report is the first update since the pre-pandemic version in early 2020. ATDI is an invaluable resource for those shaping the future of adventure tourism, particularly destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and trade associations.

ATDI evaluates 186 countries across nine key pillars: sustainable development, security, health, climate change resilience, natural resources, cultural resources, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and image.

This year's index contains a renewed methodology, reflecting the evolving priorities of the adventure travel sector.

The index offers insight into new trends and destinations, empowering key players in the tourism sector to anticipate market changes and ensure long-term competitiveness.

Furthermore, ATDI emphasizes the vital link between natural and cultural resources, adventure tourism and sustainable development, encouraging responsible growth within the industry.

2024 ATDI provides a fresh perspective on the adventure tourism landscape. Not only does it highlight destinations that excel, it also offers valuable guidance for countries looking to improve their offerings and attract a growing segment of travelers seeking meaningful experiences.

Ranking of advanced economy countries:

1. Germany
2. France
3. Switzerland

Croatia According to the International Monetary Fund, it is classified as an advanced economy. In this group, it ranks 19th worldwide.

Adventure tourism advanced economy source atta
Source: ATTA

Ranking of emerging/developing countries:

1. Costa Rica
2. Chile
3. Thailand

"This ranking shows that adventure tourism is not limited to traditional destinations. Emerging economies are increasingly recognizing the potential of adventure tourism to drive sustainable economic growth and showcase their unique cultural and natural assets.", he notes Seleni Matus, executive director of the International Institute for Tourism Studies at George Washington University.

An interactive chart, which you can find i in the original article, details the composition of the new ATDI, and an Excel file with more details on each indicator can be found at links.

 

Croatia at the top in the region

Regional perspectives highlight the various opportunities and challenges facing adventure tourism destinations.

While some regions boast abundant natural resources and well-developed infrastructure, others struggle with security issues or limited support for entrepreneurship.

By understanding their regional context and addressing specific needs, destinations can tailor their strategies for success.

Croatia is the only country that is considered an advanced economy in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia and surpasses its regional partners in the pillars: Sustainable Development, Security, Resilience to Climate Change and Natural Resources.

Turkey is rising to the top in cultural resources, infrastructure and image. Armenia boasts the highest ranking in healthcare and Georgia has the highest ranking in entrepreneurship. Albania and Russia stand out for their relatively high results in several pillars.

Top 5 countries by region atta
Source: ATTA

The 2024 Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI) provides a framework for assessing a country's potential competitiveness in the adventure tourism market.

By analyzing performance across nine key pillars, ATDI provides insights to destination managers and partners looking to improve their competitiveness. Although the updated methodology prevents direct comparisons with previous editions, it allows for a more modern understanding of a country's current strengths and weaknesses, enabling targeted improvements.

The whole Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI) for the year 2024, which is published on 30 pages, you can download at links.

Author  HrTurizam.hr

January 13, 2025