ABSTRACT
A subset of tourists have ventured to the depths of the oceans, the poles, remote deserts, the highest mountain peaks and even outer space, in endeavours and journeys reminiscent of those taken by the characters in Jules Verne’s novels or the exploits of the great explorers of the past. These frontiers, as a cultural construct, have often been conceptualized as spaces in which the immersion in nature or wilderness and the risk inherent in travel facilitates transcendent or sacred experiences. Research is needed to explore this process more fully, including the spiritual meanings of these adventurous and testing pursuits for these frontier tourists. This chapter is based on data collected in a qualitative study, involving interviews with 37 individuals about their frontier tourism experiences and an analysis of narratives produced by frontier tourists, encompassing 50 autobiographies, 2 online diaries and 2 online interviews. Findings suggest that many of these individuals have undergone spiritual journeys, with participants referring to feelings of humility in the face of the sublime; heightened consciousness or awareness in the face of danger; the discovery of a sense of meaning or purpose in their lives; purification or sanctification by spending time in the natural world; and intense suffering, potentially as a form of penance or prelude to an ecstatic or rapturous state. It appears that exposure to hazards and high levels of physical and emotional challenge, coupled with the grandeur and isolation of the natural surroundings, can create an environment for these spiritual experiences to occur. The chapter concludes by considering the concept of the frontier beyond mere geographic boundaries, and discussing whether this can be applied to deepen our understanding of the contemporary tourist experience.
