Fishing Tourism Set to Rise Globally as Angler Seek Exotic Locations to Cast a Line
Photo: Unsplash
Just about every nation is home to anglers who like to venture out more locally to spend a day by the waterways. Increasingly, however, those anglers and newcomers are hoping to place themselves in new surroundings or take on new challenges in the form of exotic fish around the world.
Some of this will be driven by the same experience-seeking craze that’s swept since the beginning of the decade. The rest will have been buoyed by the uptake of fishing entertainment media, which has helped to pivot the perception of fishing to a more exciting one.
An Action-Packed Experience
Over the last decade or so, fishing has become the focus of various forms of entertainment. Where fishing has somewhat strangely become the most prominent theme is in casino gaming. Big Bass Hold and Spinner is one of many spin-offs of the Big Bass Bonanza series and continues to hold high in the rankings.
It’s all about getting to the feature so that you can land a fisherman and the cash prize fish to reel them all in. It joins an extensive series that now also spans Big Bass Master Classic, Big Bass It’s a Whopper, and Big Bass Surf’s Up. As in the sport, it’s all about catching those fish, with the pacing of holding that to the feature working well.
While not as dominant, it’s difficult to overlook the rise of fishing-based TV shows and their influence on the fishing tourism trend. Shows like River Monsters and Go Fishing have created some truly captivating moments by leaning into the thrill of catching iconic fish and, in some cases, travelling the world to do so.
Presenting Options to Live the Thrills
Photo: Pixabay
There aren’t too many countries making a big tourism push that focus on the fishing options. People generally know the best places to go for sea fishing trips, particularly when it comes to sport fishing, but an individual nation hasn’t yet stood up to showcase itself as a fishing haven for all of these anglers looking for a new challenge.
The Future Market Insights report says that the market was valued at $90 billion in 2025. Through to 2035, it’s expected to grow by around 11 per cent CAGR, creating a $250 billion global industry. Nations that create clear-cut and sustainable private angling rules and clearly showcase hotspots for casting a line could capitalise on this.
However, it’s not just about catching huge, predatory, or particularly challenging fish. People use angling to unwind and find the experience relaxing. So, secluded locations and scenic areas become as important as the fish that can be caught.
Of course, tourists will fly into airports or dock at ports, most of which are close to the major cities. The most scenic locations and best inland fishing spots tend to be much more secluded. So, tourism departments should explore ways to make these locations more accessible with regular shuttles to nearby drops, for example.
Fishing tourism is rapidly on the rise, and nations seeking a tourism bump would do well to build around these long-stay tourists and showcase the quality of angling in their best regions.
