Modelling preferences for nature-based recreation activities |
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Authors: | Catarina Marques Elizabeth Reis João Menezes Maria de Fátima Salgueiro |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Quantitative Methods for Management and Economics, ISCTE Business School – Lisbon University Institute, Lisbon, Portugal;2. Department of Marketing, Operations and Management, ISCTE Business School – Lisbon University Institute, Lisbon, Portugal |
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Abstract: | This research contributes to a better understanding of visitors’ preferences and behavioural patterns in national parks and protected areas. A conceptual model is proposed to explain why visitors prefer particular nature- or culture-based activities. It integrates three components – outdoor recreation participation, expectancy-value and environmental attitudes. The New Environmental Paradigm is used to capture environmental attitudes, and the motivations for travelling to parks are based on the push and pull motivation factors. Structural equation modelling is used to test the proposed model using data from 401 domestic visitors to Portuguese parks and other protected areas. Results show that nature-based sports are influenced by motivation to do adventurous sports and by social norms; the pro-environmental attitudes, the motivation to enjoy nature and the influence of others affect the interest in interpretation activities; the model’s strongest impact on recreation activities is from culture-related motives. |
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Keywords: | outdoor recreation parks and protected areas activity preferences environmental attitudes motivations structural equation models |
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