To ensure the achievement of the mentioned goals, it was build on the current state of research, available literature on tourism types was spotted and the Affinity-Group Concept concerning segmentation of the trend sport markets was used. In addition, an online survey within the scene of kitesurfers was carried out to provide a detailed analysis. By questioning this homogeneous group information on sport as well a tourism related aspects was gathered and data in the areas, such as the connection between kitesurfers and snowkiters, where a lack of data existed was collected. Arguments for the existence of the affinity group of kiters are elaborated. Moreover, differences, similarities and possible cooperation between the different tourism types are pointed out. Kitesurfing, snowkiting and traditional alpine winter sport tourism are presented and identified with the help of practical examples: case studies on Tarifa, Reschensee and Wasserkuppe as well as on the Alps. Based on this examination and its integration in the theoretical, scene based reference framework of the Affinity-Group Concept, helped creating a clear image of the specific markets. Developments within the tourism industry and the contained consequences for destinations, tour operators, specific kitesurfing manufacturers and organizations are introduced. Thereby, it is shown that water sport destinations benefit from their history and the resulting clear alignment towards kitesurfing. Winter sport destinations have to deal with a much more complex situation based on different requirements concerning the usable terrain. The destination of Reschensee functions as a prime example for the possibility to practice traditional winter sport and snowkiting, as an alternative winter sport approach, within the same area. It is demonstrated that destinations that hold
the requirements to practice both sport approaches simultaneously have the biggest potential and would additionally benefit from synergy effects. Furthermore, it is exhibited that tour operators are not yet important within the kite tourism market but that they will gain importance in the future as more and more people enter this affinity group without scene specific knowledge. Manufacturers, specific media and organizations are also affected by the constant growth of the kite sector. All involved parties would benefit from cooperation. Kite specific corporations have a noticeable advantage over non-kite corporations, which are not part of the affinity group. The scene members’ high identification with the sport and the corresponding lifestyle will play an important strategic role in the future.

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