Extreme environment tourism involves dangerous landscapes often with a difficult climate, and places that are sparsely or not occupied, with limited access. Increasing numbers of tourists are attracted to extreme environments. Others prefer even more of a thrill, like rock climbing, paragliding, and white-water rafting, some of which can be undertaken in extreme environments, like ice-walking on ice-caps or glaciers. Paragliding and microlighting are done on the South Downs in Sussex.
Extreme environments cover a variety of locations worldwide: mountains, deserts, rainforests, caves and ice-covered terrain. It is also known as shock or adventure tourism, as it involves an element of risk and gives people an adrenaline rush. Examples include ice-diving in the White Sea, north Russia, with almost freezing temperatures, and travelling across the Chernoble Zone of Alienation in Ukraine. In Jamaica, such activities include climbing waterfalls and cliff diving. Adventure tourism is one of the fastest-growing types of tourism in the world.
Adventure tourists look for physical challenge and risk. They are often around 30 years old, have no family ties, have high-powered jobs and good income - as these trips are expensive. Groups are small and distances great, but there are enough wealthy individuals with a taste for something different for this sector to grow. It is growing in significance. Most companies advertise on the Internet, rather than by brochure.
Little investment is needed to set up such trips. Hotels and roads don't need to be built. Part of the expirience is to sleep rough and travel over untouched landscapes. This tourism sector is rapidly growing in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Northern Pakistan is one of the most mountainous and difficult landscapes. and its risky political situation as the base of Al Qaeda adds thrill for some.
People can also go to North Korea!
Extreme Environments: Locations with particularly difficult environments where tourism has only recently occurred due to a niche market demand for somewhere different with physical challenges.