ABSTRACT
Nature-based tourism (NBT) is most often defined as a type of tourism that relies on experiences directly related to natural attractions, often involving activities in protected natural and wilderness areas. It is also discussed in terms of enjoying wilderness or relatively undisturbed natural areas such as lakes, islands, mountains, and valleys and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, trekking, and swimming. The fundamental paradigm underlying the development of contemporary NBT is sustainable development. NBT is currently the fastest-growing tourism sector globally and the most significant tourism segment for many destinations. The reports on the rapid growth of NBT add significant weight to the economic case for biodiversity conservation but seem to contradict widespread concerns that people are becoming increasingly isolated from nature. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
