Modern adventure travel was born with the first planned trek to the Himalayas in Nepal decades ago. The first commercial rafting trips in Ethiopia were made in the early 1970s. As political climates, natural disasters and the taste of the adventurer change, so does the adventure travel industry. Floating the Egyptian Nile and climbing Mount Ararat were popular in the 1980s. In the 90s that interest turned toward the Swiss Alps and diving in Thailand. On the Edge magazine claims that the most popular adventure tours today are taking place in the Central America region, such as kayaking in the Dominican Republic or trekking through Costa Rica.
The term "adventure" means something different to everyone. For some, sleeping outdoors may be an adventure. For others, it may be a multi-day whitewater rafting trip that is both exciting and physically challenging. Adventure tourism can be accomplished in many environments, from scuba diving in Belize or Australia to mountain climbing in Bhutan or Nepal. Traditionally, adventure travel includes some type of sport. However, depending upon an individual's physical abilities and desires, adventure tourism can include a number of more passive activities, including guided tours, mystery and murder-mystery tours.
Adventure tourism does not have to mean world travel and the term "adventure" is how you define it. There are many adventurous travels within the U.S. You can take many adventure trips without the use of an outfitter or guide service if you are familiar with the activity involved. If you are traveling out of the country, are unfamiliar with the activity or enjoy the comfort of having a guide, the use of a guide service can save hours of homework and logistical work.
According to Smartertravel.com, choosing the right guide service can be accomplished by assessing the qualifications of the company carefully, watching for professionalism in the employees and by determining what protections are offered if something goes wrong with the trip. Reliable guide services will have refund policies and contingency plans. Inquire about the equipment that is going to be used and the experience of the guides. Finally, check with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the United States Tour Operators Association for specific companies and their individual qualifications and certifications.
Traveling abroad can often expose individuals to dangers they are not normally exposed to or prepared to defend against. Prior to traveling, check with the U.S. Department of State regarding any condition that may make a country dangerous. The U.S. Department of State issues "Travel Warnings" for long-term situations and also includes the ability of the U.S. government to help an American citizen while in that country. "Travel Alerts" are issued to describe short-term conditions that include natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other demonstrations or violence.
