A Study on the Qualities That Affect Preference of Rural Recreation Areas

Abstract

Individuals, who struggle due to various stress factors in urban areas, travel to recreation areas to spend their leisure time, to relax, to make contact with nature and to replenish their energy. Rural recreation areas meet these requirements and offer the best natural environment for urban residents. However, the sustainability of recreation areas and recreational activities are important due to the increasing demand and diverse visitor objectives. Thus, sustainable plans for rural recreation areas should include a balance between human preferences and demands and preservation of the nature. The aim of the present study was to determine the qualities that affect the preferences of individuals for rural recreation areas. In this context, the quality preferences of potential visitors in Artvin province (Turkey) were determined based on a survey that investigated 21 qualities in detail. In the study, correlations between participant attributes and preference rates were analyzed with t-test and analysis of variance. The cluster analysis conducted based on the mean preference scores demonstrated that 8 qualities were most effective on preferences. Concurrently, significant differences were determined between occupant attributes and preference scores. The present study was conducted to contribute to future planning strategies for decision makers and further comprehensive studies.

Associations between Leisure Preferences, Mindfulness, Psychological Capital, and Life Satisfaction

“…Time spent in nature. Outdoor leisure activities are preferred by users of different ages [ 28 , 39 , 44 ], genders [ 13 ], and cultural backgrounds [ 29 , 45 , 46 ]. Time spent in nature might encompass a wide range of leisure preferences, from leisure gardening, which evidenced contributing to life satisfaction of older adults [ 24 ], to outdoor activities, including enjoyment in walking or outdoor sports [ 34 , 35 , 47 ], or fishing and hunting [ 45 , 48 , 49 ].…”

The Designation of Recreational and Tourist Areas in the Sustainable Management of Rural and Suburban Areas

“…One of the main non-agricultural activities in rural areas is tourism [2][3][4]. The process of introducing tourism and recreation into rural space has been occurring for several decades, however, in most rural municipalities and regions, it remains underdeveloped and does not visibly affect their functional structure [5,6].…”