Adventure Travel Industry Standards Quiz

Adventure tourism is a broad category of tourism activities that involve physical activity, natural environment, and cultural immersion. According to the ATTA, adventure tourism must include at least two of these three elements.

The difference between 'soft' and 'hard' adventure activities lies in the level of physical engagement and the risks involved. 'Soft' activities are less physically demanding and involve lower risks, while 'hard' activities require more physical exertion and involve higher risks.

'Soft' adventure activities mentioned in the text include bird watching, camping, canoeing, fishing, and snorkeling. 'Hard' adventure activities mentioned in the text include mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, and caving.

Adventure tourism can have significant impacts on the environment and the cultural and social environment. One potential impact is the fragility of the environment, as increased visitation can result in degradation of natural resources and ecosystems. For example, frequent visitors in large numbers may disrupt the normal life of locals and lead to the loss of local indigenous culture. Another potential impact is the acculturation and aping of foreign cultures, which may result in the erosion of local traditions and practices. Overall, adventure tourism needs to be managed carefully to minimize negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Climate change is having significant effects on adventure tourism destinations. For instance, places like Greenland are becoming adventure tourism hotspots due to the melting of glaciers and the availability of unique experiences such as dog sledding and ice climbing. Additionally, adventure tourists are increasingly visiting destinations ranging from glaciers to high peaks to even Antarctica. However, climate change also poses risks to these destinations. The increased greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as travel contribute to long-term environmental changes that are not readily noticeable in the present. This includes the loss of ice caps, changes in weather patterns, and the potential loss of biodiversity. It is important for the adventure tourism industry to address and adapt to these changes to ensure the sustainability of these destinations.

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of visitors that a destination can sustainably accommodate without causing negative impacts on the environment, culture, and local communities. It is an important concept in adventure tourism as overcrowding can lead to environmental degradation and the loss of the unique qualities that attract tourists in the first place. For example, popular hiking trails may become eroded and damaged when they receive too many visitors. Similarly, cultural and social environments may be negatively affected when large numbers of tourists disrupt the normal life of locals. To manage carrying capacity, destinations often implement measures such as visitor quotas, trail restrictions, and visitor education programs. By ensuring that the number of visitors is within the carrying capacity, adventure tourism destinations can minimize negative impacts and maintain the quality of the experience for both tourists and locals.