Tourism is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world and adventure tourism is one of the fastest growing categories. Nearly all countries in all stages of economic development are prioritising possibilities of expanding adventure tourism for market growth. They recognise its cultural economic and ecological value.

Adventure tourism typically involves at least two of the following activities

Physical Activity

Natural Environment

Cultural Immersion

In practice adventures tourism examples would be a tracking holiday in Peru, which combines physical activity and walking through a natural environment, such as the Machu Picchu Trail. Because of the remote terrain it will allow a natural and genuine interaction with local people to provide the cultural immersion.

Typically adventure tourists are passionate risktakers. The adventure travel trade Association reports that adventure tourism operators create and offer itineraries in such diverse places as North Korea, Rwanda, Iran, Colombia and other destinations which are recovering from both environmental and political stress. In other words they offer a more remote and authentic travel experience.

Adventure tourism attracts high-value customers. The people who buy are willing to pay premium prices for authentic and exciting experiences. On average $3000 is the cost of an eight-day trip. Obviously trips vary in the levels of luxury they offer the length and the activity levels.

The United Nations has reported that mass tourism means 80% goes the airlines and hotels while the rest goes to international companies. Typically only five dollars of every hundred dollars spent goes to local businesses or workers.

2014 figures indicate that approximately two thirds of the travel costs remain the destination of the countries visited. This makes it attractive to people who want to find a more ecological way to travel