Adventure tourism has recently emerged as a distinct travel style and it already has a loyal following. After all, given the sedentary lifestyle so many people have, is it any surprise that tourists like to be pushed outside their comfort zone?

So, What Exactly Is Adventure Tourism?

An adventure holiday can include a range of sports: scuba diving, cycling, hiking, paddling, kayaking, and climbing among many others. It can also focus on wellness practices, such as yoga and meditation, or cultural activities like cooking classes, wine tasting, and participating in traditional rituals.

Why Do People Enjoy Adventure Travel?

Fans of adventure tourism keep coming back to it — so what's so enticing about it? It turns out that a lot of people love the experience of being taken out of their comfort zone. They enjoy the thrill of strenuous physical activity and the excitement of culture shock. On the other hand, other people's adventure holiday may consist of an entire week of meditation, which of course can be difficult in its own way. All in all, adventure tourism isn't about exhausting yourself physically but about immersing yourself in a novel environment. These types of challenging activities can create a deeper sense of connection to nature and the local area. They give travelers a sense of accomplishment and pride. This creates an experience that's nothing like life at home — and what can make a person feel more alive than that?

Doing Your Part For the Local Economy

There's been a lot of talk about the negative effect mass tourism often has on local populations and the environment. You'll probably be happy to hear that adventure tourism is one of the most sustainable types of travel nowadays. That's because it often takes place in rural or remote areas, where locals have limited means to support themselves. It also tends to be year-long, which provides locals with much-needed opportunities for stable employment. Most adventure tourism is also locally-organized, rather than facilitated by multinational corporations, so most of the profits remain within the community. Eventually, adventure tourism can sustainably raise the living standards of entire towns — another reason to enjoy them.