The educational tourism market involves tourism activities undertaken for the purposes of educational and learning experiences. These include field trips, study tours, student exchange programs, international education fairs, cultural exchange programs, and language learning travels. The market has witnessed immense popularity owing to opportunities for cultural immersion, language learning, and overall personal growth afforded by international educational experiences.
The global educational tourism market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,092.45 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players: Key players operating in the educational tourism market include EF Education First Ltd., ACIS Educational Tours, Explorica, Inc., WorldStrides, Rustic Pathways, Walking Tree Travel, Travel For Teens, School Tours of America, EST, World Expeditions Travel Group Pty Ltd, ACE CULTURAL TOURS, Atlantis Erudition & Travel Services, Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd., ATG Travel, Global Educational Travel, Educational Tours, Inc., AAI EDUTOURZ, and Capital Tours, Inc.
Key opportunities:
Growing emphasis on experiential learning and rising disposable incomes present significant opportunities for market players to expand their offerings and global footprints. The introduction of virtual tours and online study programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic has further opened up new avenues for market growth.
Technological advancements: Advancements in EdTech including online language classes, virtual international exchanges, AI-enabled cultural immersion experiences, and digital study materials are supporting the continued growth of educational tourism despite travel restrictions. These technologies facilitate global learning without physical travel.
Market drivers:
The main drivers propelling the Educational Tourism Market Growth include the growing interest of learners in new cultures and inter-disciplinary learning methodologies, expansion of international academic collaborations, rising student mobility, and increasing promotion of education as a tool for diplomacy by various countries and international organizations.
Current challenges in the Educational Tourism Market
The educational tourism market is facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The travel restrictions imposed by various countries to contain the spread of the virus has severely impacted the educational tourism sector. Many students had to discontinue their study abroad programs and exchange programs were cancelled. This led to a significant decline in the number of international students traveling for education purposes. Other challenges include rising education costs, visa issues, safety and security concerns, and political and economic uncertainties in few countries.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Growing popularity of experiential learning programs which allow students to combine study with travel.
Weakness: High costs associated with educational tours, accommodations, foreign tuition and living expenses.
Opportunity: Emergence of new destinations and programs in developing nations to attract international students.
Threats: Spread of infectious diseases can disrupt travel and immigration policies may become restrictive.
Geographical regions of concentration
North America accounts for the largest share of the educational tourism market currently, in terms of value. The US is the most popular study abroad destination and hosts over one million international students annually. Countries like Canada, Mexico are also attracting significant number of students through various study abroad and student exchange programs.
Fastest growing region
Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. Countries such as China, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand etc. are aggressively promoting themselves as education hubs through international branch campuses of foreign universities and joint degree programs. Increasing affordability and availability of international standard education is driving more students from within and outside the region to Asia Pacific for higher education and language training purposes.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it