An Evaluation of Climbing as a Sport Tourist Activity, Using the Robinson and Gammon (2004) Conceptual Framework

Abstract

The sport of climbing has seen a tremendous increase in popularity over the last 20 years. The sport tourism potential of climbing is clearly evident in the different types and guises that the sport entails. This is enhanced by the outdoor setting of the sport often in outstanding scenery and beauty. However the rapid increase in the number of indoor climbing walls has also created a new type of visitor predominantly in an urban setting. The differing climbing types and competitions lend it particularly to a classification based on the motivation of the consumer. This paper assesses the sport tourism potential of climbing in general applying the Robinson and Gammon (2004) conceptual framework.