Tourism in the Eastern Townships first emerged in the 1850's and since then, the industry has undergone many changes. At first, tourism in the region consisted mostly of classic natural wonders like lakes and mountains. The introduction of alpine skiing, along with other adaptations of the wilderness, marked the rejuvenation of these attractions and also allowed for the development of cultural institutions and agro tourism. The maturation of the tourist industry was a direct result of the initial appeal of the landscape of the Eastern Townships.