The Sustainable Development Pillar focuses on three indicators of human development within a country. The Human Development Index and the Global Happiness Ranking gauge the lifespan, health, intelligence, GDP, and metrics of standard of living of a country’s citizens. The Berkeley Inclusiveness Index evaluates a country’s standard of living across a range of social dimensions, including gender, race/ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.

This pillar assesses the safety of travel within a country. Nations characterized by peacefulness, high levels of transparency, low corruption, and minimal or absent travel advisories offer safer environments for travelers.

The Health Pillar quantifies healthcare availability and preparedness as well as environmental health in a country. A high number of medical doctors indicates a better standard of healthcare. This pillar relies on the rationale that destinations with healthy populations are better able to host and nurture new businesses and to care for their resources sustainably. Adventure travelers also value the availability of good healthcare and clean environments.

The capacity of a country to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters reflects their commitment to manage the biggest environmental threats. Reducing current and future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a critical component of climate change mitigation efforts. Many adventure travelers hold climate and disaster management in high regard and choose destinations accordingly.

Adventure travelers seek pristine landscapes and responsibly managed natural resources. Destinations boasting an abundance of natural assets that are effectively managed and conserved will garner commendation from adventure travelers and enhance their likelihood of maintaining market competitiveness.

Adventure travelers enjoy engaging with local cultures through immersive experiences. Places that promote cultural preservation, while embracing modern influences that shape and enrich traditional customs, are highly regarded by visitors.

Small businesses lie at the heart of the adventure travel sector. Enthusiastic entrepreneurs are constantly refining their offerings. Supportive business environments for entrepreneurial endeavors allow straightforward establishment of small and medium-sized tourism ventures.

The availability of hard and soft infrastructure influences the attractiveness of a destination for travelers. Adventure travelers, in contrast to mainstream tourists, may not be as concerned about shortcomings in hard tourism facilities, yet they tend to be particularly attuned to the quality of soft tourism infrastructure. While building hard infrastructure demands significant investment and time, the soft infrastructure necessary for adventure travelers can often be established with minimal financial input.

International perception of countries holds significant influence over their competitiveness on the adventure travel market. Thus, investment in a destination’s brand appeal offers ample opportunity for shaping market growth. Countries can increase their attractiveness to consumers with a well-crafted image that emphasizes sustainability and adventure, which will entice travelers who prioritize these values. Travelers’ visits and spending subsequently bolster a country's ongoing sustainable development efforts.