An adventure tourism trend in Japan is quite evident, judging by the
great popularity of camping, 4-wheel drive jeeps, and scuba-diving. There
are many adventure and nature clubs to join, magazines to read, and equipment
to buy. Television quiz shows have educated everybody about "bizarre"
wildlife and "exotic" cultures and "crazy" adventures.
Independent travellers want to stay longer and try new things they have never done before.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia
I often hear that the younger generation in Japan has not had to worry about
too much, except for school entrance exams! They grew up in a time when
there was plenty of food, entertainment, shopping and free time. Too many
students have not learned about the important of ecology, politics, equality,
and sharing. They have the power to charge on their credit cards and not
think about debt.
This might be similar to their experience in nature. They have the energy
to try the wildest nature challenge, without any guidance or rules. This
can be damaging to nature. Think about the energy of a young man in a 4-wheel
drive jeep! Is he informed about where sea turtles may be nesting on a beach
he wants to drive fast on? Tourism should be a safe adventure for both the
traveller and for nature and wildlife. Ecotours always advise tourists on
how to be careful and thoughtful travellers, while having the greatest adventure
and freedom of their lives.
