There is a great deal of discussion about definitions of tourism
(Sharpley 1994:29–32), but few attempts to define mountain adventure
tourism (Weber 2001). According to Whitlock, Romer and Becker,
mountaineering is just one sector of “nature-based tourism”: “an
encompassing term that refers to all the myriad forms of tourism that
originate as a result of the natural appeal of an area” (1991:1). For
purposes of discussion here, mountain adventure tourism encompasses
several ideas. First, it has a focus that has a practical engagement for
the tourist. There is, therefore, a physical effort involved, to a greater
or lesser extent, which from some perspectives is closer to work than
holiday. This embodied experience is an important point of discussion.
Outdoor physical challenge, which may have positive image spin-offs
like weight loss, physique development, sun tan and related stress
reduction, may be influenced by cultural forces in developed countries,
and thus reflect changing lifestyles (Chaney 1996). Visser, for
example, discusses the way cultural perspectives of tanned skin have
changed throughout this century (1994:16).