Wilderness tourism

Wilderness is defined as undeveloped land with minimal human imprints (Nash 2001). The 1964 US Wilderness Act defines wilderness as places where one is a momentary tourist through it. Originating in the United States, the concept has spread and gained popularity worldwide. Wilderness areas include conservation preserves, estates, national forests, and parks. These are important for the survival of certain species, conservation, and recreation. Nowadays, wildlands are increasingly being promoted as products for consumption, as illustrated by modern tourism practices and associated place marketing (Saarinen 1998). The commoditization of wilderness has resulted in the mushrooming of tourism facilities, such as game farms, lodges, and hunting in wilderness areas.

Wilderness tourism may be pursued by some due to the scarcity of the resource, to escape from city life, to interact with nature, and for conservation purposes. In most countries, it is promoted for economic reasons. For some,...