As adventure tourism begins to grow, more towns and regions have looked to bungy jumping as a way to attract tourists.
In 2025, adventure travel has become a growth engine. Adventure tourism products such as those Bungy NZ Ventures offer provide regions a combination of distinctive destination branding and strong local spend retention. Supported by world-class safety systems, broad demographic appeal, and measurable health and well-being benefits, it presents a compelling proposition for regions seeking to capture a share of the multi-billion-dollar global tourism market.
The global adventure tourism market size was estimated to be USD 406 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,009 billion by 2030. Demand is being propelled by the full recovery of international tourism and renewed preference for nature-based, experiential trips.
In the hyper-competitive landscape of global tourism, distinctive attractions can redefine a region’s economic trajectory. Bungy jumping, pioneered commercially by AJ Hackett at Kawarau Bridge in 1988, has done precisely that for Queenstown.
On the foundations laid by this pioneering enterprise, Queenstown transformed from a sleepy alpine town of just 3,500 residents and a modest stream of domestic visitors into a globally recognised adventure capital, now home to over 50,000 people and attracting more than two million visitors annually, over half from overseas. Building on this momentum, Bungy New Zealand Ventures expanded its footprint to include the Auckland Sky Tower, Auckland Bridge, Nevis Playground, and the Taupo Bungy site.
For developers and investors assessing new tourism opportunities, thrill-based infrastructure not only accelerates economic growth but also strengthens destination branding and broadens tourism portfolios. As Queenstown’s data show, the returns fuel demand for accommodation, dining, transport, and complementary experiences, which can turn a single venture into a regional economic catalyst.
The first commercial bungy jump in 1988 attracted 28 jumpers on opening day; now the Kawarau site sees hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Bungy jumps are a popular tourist activity in New Zealand, contributing significantly to regional tourism spend and reinforcing the country’s reputation as a global leader in adventure tourism.
Queenstown has transformed from a quiet town to become internationally synonymous with thrill-seeking tourism, expanding into jet boating, skydiving, and skiing. Adventure tourism now forms the backbone of regional tourism in the South Island. For the year ended March 2024, total tourism expenditure in New Zealand was NZD 44.4 billion, the highest ever, and is an increase of 14.6 percent (NZD 6.7 billion) from the previous year. Tourism also supported roughly one in nine jobs in the broader economy.
At the Kawarau Bungy Centre, the majority of jumpers originate from overseas. This inbound demographic brings foreign exchange, premium accommodation spend, and year-round visitation.
Bungy New Zealand Ventures has gone on to set up adrenaline-fuelled operations across the country, including the Auckland Sky Tower Bungy. The end-to-end capability ensures the sites deliver exceptional visitor experiences, world-class safety systems, and long-term economic returns through sustainable, scalable operations.
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