Nature-based Tourism Experiences Research Articles

Exploring the Role of Quality Tourism Experiences as a Driver of Quality of Life through Personal Lifestyle

Tourism experiences have been recognized for their transformative potential and contributing to improving tourists’ quality of life. Despite this, little is known about the factors that trigger these impacts. This study examines the link between service quality, experiential quality and lifestyle and the influence these have on tourists’ quality of life. Using the Partial Least Square (PLS) technique, data from 367 tourists who participated in cultural and nature-based tourism experiences were analyzed. Results revealed that service quality and experiential quality favor the improvement of tourists’ quality of life, and this impact is mediated by the influence of lifestyle.

Enhancing Tour Guide Training for Delivering Nature-Based Tourism Experiences in a Developing Country

ABSTRACT Tour guides provide frontline services to the nature-based tourism industry, but research is limited on how to enhance their training, especially in developing countries. The present study investigates tour guide training requirements, preferred modes and content for training delivery, and the challenges of offering nature-based tourism experiences in Sri Lanka. Informed by stakeholder theory, we used a mixed-method approach to gain the views of key stakeholders, using a questionnaire-based survey and interviews to sample both national tour guides and key informants in Sri Lanka. Two-thirds of the survey respondents expressed interest in tour guide training, particularly online or workshop-based training on subject-specific knowledge such as wildlife and plant life, local cultural history, marine life, and tropical ecology. Also, quarter of the tour guides did not perceive training needs and note the practicalities of participating in training opportunities. Both tour guides and key informants recognize the challenges of the nature-based tourism industry in Sri Lanka, lack of adequate visitor facilities provided at the entrance and inside of parks, along with overcrowding and visitor safety issues. We recommend increasing awareness of the varied functions of tour guides and the importance of training to ensure a high quality of service delivery.

“To use or not to use” - Mobile technology in nature-based tourism experience

“To use or not to use” - Mobile technology in nature-based tourism experience

Disconnection in nature-based tourism experiences: an actor-network theory approach

ABSTRACT Recent studies question whether ubiquitous connectivity via mobiles represents an enhancer and facilitator in nature-based tourism experiences or a potential destructor to disconnect from. We argue that extant research approaches cannot fully grasp the complexity of the connectivity-disconnection dilemma, specifically how tourists appropriate, reinterpret, reshape, and negotiate with meanings inscribed in mobiles and how such negotiations link to valuations of nature-based experiences. This research adopts an interpretivist approach and uses actor-network theory to investigate negotiations of connectivity and their experiential meanings through field interviews in Fulufjället National Park, Sweden. Results reveal translations of social connectivity, facilitation of information and orientation as thematic cores of tourists’ embodiments of mobile connectivity. Results also show how the comprehensive tourismscape where such embodiments find meaning contributes to tourists’ definitions of disconnection. Such definitions comprise human and non-human actors on site, off site, and cannot be exhausted by essentialist dualisms between being plugged and unplugged.

Wild bears, real bears and zoo bears: Authenticity and nature in Anthropocene tourism.

Within nature-based tourism research, authenticity has received a great deal of attention in relation to existential authenticity and in examining the authenticity of experiences. Yet very little research exists that explores the ways in which tourists perceive wildlife as more or less authentic, as objects in nature-based tourism discourses. This qualitative case study research explores visitors' perspectives in relation to polar bear tourism in Churchill, Manitoba (in situ) and at the Assiniboine Park Zoo's 'Journey to Churchill' exhibit (ex situ) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 'Journey to Churchill' exhibit was built with the intention of representing aspects of the landscape, wildlife and town-site found in and around Churchill, Manitoba. These two sites provide a unique opportunity to compare in situ and ex situ nature-based tourism experiences, since the sites have similar elements such as wildlife species, landscape features and other contextual factors (such as environmental issues and cultural influence). The findings from this research suggests that perceived authenticity of the polar bears, more than the experience, contributes to the construction of learning experiences about climate change. We review the work of authenticity in nature-based tourism and suggest a rethinking of the work of authenticity for both educators and operators in nature tourism. This research has important implications for better understanding how visitors construct their perceptions of authenticity of wildlife and the implications for the ways in which wildlife tourism experiences and authenticity narratives are constructed in Anthropocene tourism.

Memorable nature-based tourism experience, place attachment and tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviour

ABSTRACT This study tests a new model for memorable nature-based tourism experiences by examining the effects of novelty, experiencescape, experience co-creation, experience intensification and satisfaction. The study also examines the relationship between memorable nature-based tourism experiences, place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour. Data were gathered from tourists who visited a national park within the three months preceding the data collection period (January-March 2021) using an online survey questionnaire distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in March 2021. This study's main contributions include the expansion of the memorable tourism experience construct and the inclusion of four key variables that influence place attachment in the formation of tourists' memorable nature-based tourism experiences. The relationship between place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour was also shown to be significant.

Four ecotourism archetypes: expressing symbolic desires

ABSTRACT Most ecotourism research focuses on logical, expressed desires, while deeper meanings (or symbolic desires), are less well understood, perhaps because elicitation is difficult. Consequently, prior research is relatively limited on the deeper motivations driving ecotourism behaviour. To address that lack, an ethnographic study of nature-based tourism activities in Malaysia and a symbolic interactionist approach is taken to unpack hedonic meaning-making. The data gave rise to four ecotourist archetypes: The champion, the adherent, the acolyte, and the spa-goer, for ecotourists seeking trial, spiritual, learning and purification benefits, respectively. The study provides both greater insight into how to use ethnographic research to elicit symbolic desires in ecotourism, and practitioner support for the design and delivery of more fulfilling nature-based tourism experiences. The archetypes can be viewed as a symbolic benefits-based market segmentation schema, forming the basis for developing more effective targeting, positioning, branding and value propositions for nature-based tourism activities.

Understanding Millennials’ nature-based tourism experience through their perceptions of technology use and travel constraints

ABSTRACT This study aims to understand millennials’ nature-based tourism experience through their perceptions towards technology use and travel constraints in a nature-based tourism context by drawing upon technology escape and digital-free travel conceptualizations and leisure constraints theory. Data were collected using surveys from 276 millennials and nature-based tourism providers, and two focus groups consisting of 21 providers and 13 millennials. The findings revealed that millennials perceived laptops with WI-FI access, virtual/ augmented reality, digital cameras, and WI-FI access at campsites to be significantly less enhancing of the nature-based tourism experience compared to the providers’ perceptions. An exploratory factor analysis identified four dimensions of travel constraints among millennials, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, time, and destination attributes. The findings highlight millennials’ conflicting need to escape from day-to-day technology use while remaining connected to basic technology services. Both the theoretical contributions of these findings and practical implications are discussed.

Searching for sanctuary during COVID-19: exploring regional South Australians’ nature-based tourism experiences

ABSTRACT This article draws upon the findings of an exploratory qualitative study of regional South Australian tourists' nature-based tourism experiences during COVID-19. Through the implementation of focus group interview sessions with participants across three age group categories, it was evident that many participants had visited nature-based settings in pursuit of health benefits. From the perspective of physical health, national parks and conservation areas were identified as “risk averse” backdrops that allowed exercise to be undertaken. From the perspective of mental health, nature-based tourism spaces acted as “mental sanctuaries” that supported wellbeing and enabled visitors to temporarily escape the stresses of COVID-19. Respondents aged under 30 reported a greater connectedness with nature and had positively re-evaluated the benefits of nature-based tourism. This article offers valuable insights into the role of nature-based tourism settings in supporting regional populations during the continuation of COVID-19 or other crises that present challenging times or hardship.

Land, Settler identity, and tourism memories

This paper draws on theoretical insights associated with settler colonial studies and a collective memory work methodology to illuminate the multiple and contested meanings of land conveyed in tourism memory narratives of Settler Canadians. As part of a multi-day nature-based tourism experience in June 2019, 16 Settler co-participants wrote, and collectively analyzed, memory texts associated with travel experiences that they felt expressed genuinely Canadian and Indigenous qualities. Thematic analysis of memory narratives and co-participant discussions show how land meanings—specifically, land as organizer, educator, connector, and sustainer—relate to the dynamics of Settler identity. The paper thus builds upon emerging scholarship on tourism and settler colonialism and contributes pathways for decolonizing Settler-Indigenous relations in tourism and tourism research.

The effectiveness of virtual vs real-life marine tourism experiences in encouraging conservation behaviour

Nature-based tourism experiences have the potential to inspire visitors to adopt conservation behaviours that protect natural environments; however, to have global effect on environmentally sensitive areas such as the Great Barrier Reef, we may need to expand this influence to beyond just visitors. One way to reach large audiences is through digital technology. Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to replicate reality effectively, accordingly, this study employed a quasi-experimental design (N = 114) to compare the impact of a real versus a virtual nature-based marine tourism experience on participants’ intentions to engage in conservation behaviours. The study reveals that a nature-based tourism experience delivered via 360-degree VR technology has the potential to be as effective as a real-life experience when seeking to influence conservation behaviours. Further, this study reveals that the effectiveness of both types of experiences is not enhanced by the addition of interpretive content. Implications for the design of both virtual and real nature-based experiences targeting behaviour change are presented, and suggestions for future research exploring the design and delivery of interpretation discussed. The potential for using VR to engage wider audiences and prompt widespread behaviour changes is also highlighted.

Nature-Based “Satoyama” Tourism Satisfaction Model: An Examination of Motivation as a Mediator in Domestic and International Tourists in Japan

This research examines whether the tourists’ culture affects their motivation and satisfaction when visiting nature-based tourism (NBT) destinations in Japan. An analysis was conducted in order to examine the mediating effect of motivation on the correlation between tourist group (domestic and international tourists) and their satisfaction from a nature-based tourism experience in Japan. Data from 181 domestic and 177 international tourists was collected via a questionnaire survey in two locations: Kayabuki no Sato in Miyama, and Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go. While domestic travelers are Japanese, international travelers are a varied group from over twenty countries, mostly from the East Asian region. The participants filled a motivation as well as a satisfaction questionnaire and sample was done randomly. Results verify the hypothesis that motivation highly influences the satisfaction from the visit, and it fully mediates the correlation between the tourist group and satisfaction, when Japanese tourists show lower satisfaction and motivation compared to international tourists. A further analysis of the results highlights the differences in the push factors between the domestic and international tourists, as well as the high number of elder domestic tourists. Proposals for better tourist retention strategies for local authorities and stakeholders were presented based on the findings.

The role of natural soundscape in nature-based tourism experience: an extension of the stimulus–organism–response model

ABSTRACT This paper echoes the call for multisensory tourism research from the perspective of auditory sensory experience. Based on an extended stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model, the natural soundscape is linked with tourists’ emotion and behaviour, and the possible structural relationships between them are verified with structural equation modelling. The results indicate that auditory factors such as natural soundscape significantly affect tourists’ emotion and behaviour in nature-based tourism. Emotion induced by natural soundscape can significantly improve tourists’ actual approach behaviour and behavioural intention in nature-based tourism. Different emotional dimension can elicit different behavioural type. Emotional arousal tends to trigger tourists’ actual approach behaviour, whereas emotional pleasure tends to encourage tourists’ behavioural intention. Actual approach behaviour in natural soundscape can significantly promote tourists’ behavioural intention. Based on these findings, valuable information for tourism managers on generating desirable tourist emotion and behaviour is offered.

Nature-based tourism development in coastal wetlands of Sri Lanka: An Importance–Performance analysis at Maduganga Mangrove Estuary

Understanding visitor satisfaction is vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability of nature-based tourism experiences at high demand coastal destinations. The Ramsar listed Maduganga Mangrove Estuary (MME) on the west coast of Sri Lanka is such a destination. With the aim of enhancing the sustainability of tourism at MME, a self-reporting structured questionnaire and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) were employed to explore visitor satisfaction with 16 attributes of the popular nature-focused boat tours. Respondents rated ‘to be in a natural setting’ as their main motivation for visiting this destination (73%), followed by ‘to use free time’ (60%), and ‘to be with family or friends’ (60%). Relaxing/fun/enjoyment (90%), enjoying boat rides (85%), and photography (73%) were the most popular activities reported by visitors. Respondents were generally satisfied with their boat tours, however, there was opportunity to enhance visitor satisfaction. Gap Analysis IPA identified nine instances where respondents ranked the performance of attributes as being significantly below their expectations (i.e. Performance < Importance). Respondents rated ‘cleanliness of the river’ as the worst performing attribute of their tour. ‘Feeling safe’ on the boat tours, ‘information about visitor safety’, interpretive aspects of the experience and the amount of wildlife seen also performed below visitor expectations. The novel application of IPA to quantitatively assess visitor expectations and attribute performance at the internationally significant MME coastal wetland reported in this case study demonstrates the contribution this technique can make to enhancing visitor satisfaction and management actions to ensure the sustainability of nature-based tourism in Sri Lanka. Management implicationsIPA can help to inform the operation and management of nature-based tourism in coastal wetlands. Government agencies need to establish standards and monitor compliance regarding the quality of boat tour operations. Operators need to ensure delivery of interpretive information and conduct tours that minimise negative impacts on wildlife. This case study provides insights regarding delivery of tours and wildlife conservation at coastal wetlands in Tropical Asia.

Perceived value and its impact on travel outcomes in youth tourism

Understanding the tourism-related behaviours and attitudes of the next generations is worth to investigate by researchers, since their demand structure will shape the future of tourism sector. Therefore, this research particularly focuses on young travellers. In the study, value perception of young tourists about a nature-based tourism experience and its influence on travel outcomes, such as overall satisfaction, word-of-mouth (WOM) and revisit intentions, are examined by a case study performed in Olympos, Antalya-Turkey. Value construct is shown to have three components: functional, social and epistemic values. Perceived social value is identified as the least satisfying dimension of the value. Structural equation modelling results show that value perception positively and statistically impacts overall satisfaction, WOM, and revisit intentions, while overall satisfaction has a positive effect on WOM and revisit intentions. The study findings both extend the literature on young traveller behaviours and suggest useful managerial implications for the nature-based destination authorities.

Instagramming nature-based tourism experiences: a netnographic study of online photography and value creation

The purpose of this research is to explore the role of online photography in creating experience value in nature-based tourism, and what types of experience value are conveyed through photography-based user-generated content. The paper draws from existing literature in defining tourism experience value as a subjective, inter-subjective and inter-contextual construct, performed by situated valuation practices. Consequently, the paper presents interpretive and participatory netnography as an effective method to investigate experience value, and identifies online photography on Instagram as both a valuing practice and a valuing place. Results show the capability of online photography-based UGC to create multidimensional values from strategic combinations of textual and visual content. Simultaneously, new dimensions of experience value are introduced, which exist beyond single tourism experiential encounters, but critically contribute to an iterative experience valuation. Finally, Instagram posts introduce valuation timelines that can elude linear models of pre/in-situ/post-experience valuation, and assume subjective and fluid connotations.

Tourists’ willingness to pay for nature-based tourism experiences.

This paper deals with willingness to pay (WTP) for nature as a public good. The study addresses the relationships between motivation for nature-based experiences, environmental engagement, involvement with nature experiences, relationship with nature, preferred degree of adaptation of nature and consumers’ WTP. The aim was to identify factors that influence WTP for nature-based tourist experiences. The study relies on quantitative survey data from 1634 respondents in Norway. The data were analyzed using SPSS. WTP varies according to factors such as escape, recognition, active achievement, esthetics, social and environmental concern, preference for adaptation and type of natural surroundings. Tourists who place importance on, for example, peer recognition and escape, have a higher WTP for nature that is not overcrowded and with little or no adaptation for tourism purposes. The article discusses practical issues such as how WTP should affect management decisions about the pricing of nature tourism, and presents the theoretical and practical implications of the results.

An acoustic perspective on nature-based tourism experience – The soundscape of dog sledding, Lapland

An acoustic perspective on nature-based tourism experience – The soundscape of dog sledding, Lapland

Advancing environmental sustainability through nature-based science tourism: The potential of universities

This review examines the potential of universities to advance environmental sustainability through nature-based science tourism, in which scientists are actively involved in co-creating nature-based tourism experiences. We first justify the review by presenting the current changes facing academia, namely the pressure to increase societal effectiveness, science democratization, and environmental sustainability. Then, we define science tourism and address the role of science and scientists in nature-based tourism. Finally, we evaluate the potential of nature-based science tourism to affect tourists’ environmental knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Based on previous literature, we suggest that universities and scientists, who have the knowledge about environmental sustainability, biodiversity crisis, and climate change, could have a more significant role in providing nature-based tourism experiences and shaping tourists’ attitudes and behavior regarding environmental sustainability. In line with recent discussions on science dissemination, this requires not only providing scientific knowledge to large audiences but also active scientific engagement and interaction with tourists.

Liminality in nature-based tourism experiences as mediated through social media

The intersection between social media, liminality and nature-based tourism experiences hasn’t been the focus of previous tourism research. Such intersection, on the other hand, is illustrative of how social media relate to the constitution and performance of tourism spatialities, tourist identities, storytelling and place-making, and can lead to relevant theoretical contributes. We aim to investigate how liminality is expressed in relation to nature-based experiences by tourists on social media, and what role social media plays in mediating liminality during nature-based tourism experiences. The analysis is based on a participatory netnography of images and text posts, as well as online interviews with users of the popular social media Instagram. Findings show that the expression of tourism experiences in nature is closely related to specific notions of liminal otherness as opposed to the urban life and the everyday, where nature and wilderness are expressed as related to the genuine, the authentic and a true inner self. Creative combinations of pictures, captions and hashtags make it easier for tourists to express the contrast between the natural landscape and the everyday landscape once they returned home. These combinations also relate closely to performances of resistant and alternative selves and communities. At the same time, such performances are mediated and contested between freedom of self-expression, surveillance and social norms, an aspect that makes their liminal nature ambiguous.