outdoortourism

Outdoortourism, often referred to as outdoor tourism or nature-based tourism, encompasses travel and recreational activities conducted in natural or semi-natural settings for leisure, sport, or the appreciation of nature. It includes day trips and longer journeys to landscapes such as mountains, forests, deserts, coasts, and wetlands, with activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, cycling, and canoeing. The motivation behind outdoortourism ranges from physical challenge and skill development to relaxation, escape from urban life, and opportunities for cultural experiences or environmental education. It frequently overlaps with ecotourism and adventure tourism.

Economic impact of outdoortourism varies by destination but can provide significant income and employment for rural and peri-urban areas through guides, accommodations, transport, and equipment rental. It can support conservation through park funding and local stewardship, yet unmanaged growth may lead to environmental degradation, crowding, soil erosion, litter, water quality concerns, and disturbance to wildlife.

Management of outdoortourism seeks to balance access with protection. Approaches include visitor capacity planning, zoning of sensitive areas, sustainable infrastructure, interpretation and education programs, and involvement of local communities and Indigenous groups. Certification schemes and industry best practices are increasingly adopted to improve operator standards and visitor safety.

Trends shaping outdoortourism include rising demand for short, low-impact trips; emphasis on wellness and experiential travel; digital tools for navigation, booking, and interpretation; and growing attention to climate resilience, equity, and community benefits. Monitoring of visitation and environmental indicators informs destination planning and governance.