Australian Visitors to US National Parks and Natural Areas

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the demand for outdoor recreation by visitors from overseas countries is increasing in the USA and is likely to continue in the near future. To offer international tourists opportunities for quality experience, it is important to examine and understand the travel behaviour of international visitors to national parks and natural areas. Reports on a study of Australian visitors to national parks and natural areas with respect to selected demographic characteristics, motivations and information sources used in planning their trips. The findings of this study may be used to generate appropriate international market strategies for promoting tourism in national parks and natural areas in the USA.

Revelation of Nature-minded Travelers: A Study of the Swedish

“…In sum, empirical studies of tourism motivation have been expanded from a psychological perspective (Crompton, 1979) to a nature-based tourism context (Beh & Bruyere, 2007;Eagles, 1992;Kerstetter, Hou, & Lin, 2004;Lang & O'Leary, 1997;Luo & Deng, 2008;Uysal et al, 1994). Nevertheless, it is plausible that new investigations of tourist motivation relevant to those destinations (e.g., Scandinavian regions), highly regarded as a place with enormous natural resource and unique landscapes, could be further deployed.…”

“…These findings show that compared to general tourists, ecotourists tend to have more attraction-based motivations, such as that of the wilderness, water-based activities, mountains, national parks, and rural areas (Eagles, 1992). In a similar vein, Uysal, McDonald, and Martin (1994) examined motivations of Australian tourists to US national parks and nature areas. From 30 motivational assessments, they identified five that include (1) enhancement of kinship relationships, (2) escape, (3) novelty, (4) relaxation/hobbies, and (5) prestige.…”

Determinants of Destination Choice: The Role of Socio-demographic Variables

“…Noting this transformation and proposing that a study of socio-demographic variables can facilitate destination choice, Mitchell and Haggett (1997) suggest basic demographic variables such as age and gender can discriminate well in certain markets though they result in fairly sizeable groups. Uysal et al (1994), in their study of Australian visitors to US National Parks and natural areas, examined demographic characteristics besides motivation and information sources used by Australian visitors and found that college graduates, professionals and high-income groups appear to have a stronger propensity to visit National Parks and natural areas. Similarly Huang and Xiao (2000) suggest that such research is significant in that they may extend the breadth of knowledge of tourism behaviour, on the one hand, and contribute to destination management and planning, on the other.…”

Who are wild enough to hike a wilderness trail?

“…The unique experiences (due to the KNP's size, abundant biodiversity, exceptional location and tourism-driven conservation programmes) that are offered by the KNP are also one of the major drawing cards of the park, attracting more than one million visitors annually (Saayman & Saayman, 2009). Extensive research on national park visitor motives indicate that relaxation, escape, novelty, education/learning, adventure and recreation and leisure pursuits (Awaritefe, 2004;Beh & Bruyere, 2007;Kerstetter, Hou & Lin, 2004;Kruger & Saayman, 2010;Mehmetoglu, 2007;Pan & Ryan, 2007;Tao, Eagles & Smith, 2004;Uysal, McDonald & Martin, 1994) are the most common.…”