How does adventure sport tourism enhance well-being? A conceptual model

Abstract

Sport tourism literature has paid limited attention to the psychological well-being benefits derived from participating in this form of tourism. This is especially the case for adventure sport tourism, which is characterised by travel to a destination to participate in an adventure sport event, such as competitive surfing or mountain biking. Through an analysis of the contemporary literature regarding adventure sport, tourism and psychological well-being, we propose a conceptual model of the psychological processes underlying well-being outcomes for adventure sport tourists. The conceptual model explains how adventure sport tourism participation affects hedonic and eudaimonic psychological well-being via the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and nature connectedness. We argue that this conceptual model has the potential to advance knowledge in relation to the theory, practice and design of adventure sport tourism. We outline research propositions emanating from the conceptual model and directions for future research on adventure sport tourism and psychological well-being.

Women report that nature tourism provides recovery from psychological trauma

“…Women were able to: escape abuse; overcome grief; and regain peace, happiness, freedom, confidence, clarity, and judgement. This appears to be a novel finding, more powerful than results reported previously (Buckley & Westaway, 2020;Mackenzie et al, 2021;Marselle et al, 2019).…”

“…Outdoor nature tourism can be seen as an investment in individual mental health and quality of life (Cooper & Buckley, 2021;Mackenzie, Hodge & Filep, 2021;Marselle, Warber & Irvine, 2019;Moscardo, 2011). Here we focus on women specifically, since women worldwide, of all ages, suffer differential mental health stresses through damaging workplace dynamics, domestic disharmony, and trauma (Halliday, Kern & Turnbull, 2019;Hodes & Epperson, 2019).…”

Motivations and Loyalty of the Demand for Adventure Tourism as Sustainable Travel

“…Participation in adventure sports tourism brings hedonic, eudaimonic, and psychological well-being by satisfying basic psychological needs and connecting with nature [30]. Therefore, research reveals that the motivations to practice adventure tourism can vary according to the internal needs of the human being and the external ones that lead to choosing that destination.…”

Is adventure tourism therapeutic?

“…And if so, then how, when, for whom, and with what economic value? Mackenzie et al (2021) argued that sport adventure tourism can provide wellbeing. Here I expand their framework and recommendations.…”

“…In some countries, children are also encouraged to learn outdoor skills, through school camps or voluntary outdoor organisations. The outdoor education sector (Holland et al, 2018) has long aimed to provide training in all the goals identified by Mackenzie et al (2021). Adventure races are an adult extension of these philosophies.…”