Sustainable adventure tourism products and destinations

This chapter explores the collaboration of stakeholders in the development of adventure tourism products that prioritise sustainable and responsible tourism development in the post-pandemic era. It starts by discussing tourism products and sustainable destination development while highlighting the benefits of stakeholder collaboration. Creating networks at a destination level has been recognised as vital in pursuing common goals at a destination level. Therefore, to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in general, and address SDG 17 in particular, networking interactions have been recognised to be highly productive in bringing together a range of stakeholders through information, expertise, and knowledge exchange. The discussion here focuses on stakeholder collaboration in the process of development of adventure tourism products. In prioritising deep, meaningful, slow(er) experiences, spiritual immersion in the natural environment, and authenticity in engagement with local culture, arts and crafts, or foods, such products may contribute to more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable tourism development. To illustrate this, the chapter draws on the examples of two EU-funded projects as case studies, the concepts of slow adventure (Case Study 14.1: Slow Adventure in Northern Territories) and forest bathing (Case Study 14.2: Natural Selfness-Natess) to discuss what enables or hinders the sustainable development of destinations.