Low Impact Experiences: Developing Successful Rail Trail Tourism

Willard, Paul; Beeton, Sue

doi:10.1080/21568316.2012.653476

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…While a scenic road may be capable of attracting drive tourists, installation of wider road shoulders, informative signage, or a segregated bicycle path along the same route may form a similar cumulative attraction, capable of also attracting bicycle tourists to that area. A more recent study conducted by Willard and Beeton (2012) looked beyond the physical aspects of cycle trail development to the soft measures of bicycle touring and leisure cycling experience in the context of rail trail tourism. Using a survey questionnaire to measure different aspects of service delivery, the study identified four factors determining the quality experienced by rail trail cyclists.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Bicycle Tourism Destinationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One is Lumsdon and Peeters' (2009) study undertaken in Australia with an attempt to explore the destination attributes that facilitate the attractiveness of bicycle tourism. The other is Willard and Beeton's (2012) study aiming to explore the service quality attributes that determine the bicycle touring and leisure cycling experience of rail trail cyclists in Australia. Bicycle tourism has been undergoing rapid growth in recent years, providing a niche market opportunity for destinations to tap into (Faulks et al, 2008).…”

Section: Tourist Satisfaction As a Function Of Multiple Destination Amentioning

confidence: 99%

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An investigation of factors determining cycling experience and frequency

Lee

2014

Tourism Geographies

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A bicycle tourism destination is composed of complexes of different attributes that are crucial for the determination of tourist satisfaction levels. However, the relative impact of sector-specific destination attributes on bicycle touring and leisure cycling experience and frequency has been both poorly understood and studied. This study is an attempt to fill this literature gap by exploring a demand-side perspective on the important contributors of overall satisfaction with cycling experience and the key determinants of cycling frequency. The 28 sector-specific destination attributes were drawn from the relevant literature, and then modified by a panel of industry experts. Using exploratory factor analysis, three destination-specific attribute-level satisfaction factors were identified in descending order of satisfaction degree: 'provision of signage services,' 'provision of safety and emergency services,' and 'quality of bicycle routes.' Among these factors, 'provision of safety and security services' and 'provision of signage services' were found to be the most important contributors to overall satisfaction. Finally, 'monthly income' was proven to be a significant predictor of cycling frequency. This study is of great importance as there is a growing body of evidence that the use of bicycle for leisure, recreation, and tourism is undergoing a resurgence worldwide. The findings of this study may be of interest to scholars in Western countries where bicycle tourism is mature and highly developed and in Asian countries where the sector is at an early stage of development. Since bicycle touring and leisure cycling experience and frequency can be increased by modifying destination marketing and management practices, the government and industry sectors should focus more attention on ensuring the provision of multi-functional grocery and convenience stores along designated bicycle routes, developing an informative and visible signage system for designated bicycle routes, and targeting middle-to highincome bicyclists with diverse bicycle touring and leisure cycling experience options.

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Section: Characteristics Of Bicycle Tourism Destinationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tourist Satisfaction As a Function Of Multiple Destination Amentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation of factors determining cycling experience and frequency

Lee

2014

Tourism Geographies

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“…Apart from providing a sustainable and safe environment for different active leisure pursuits, rail trails have also the potential to provide cultural and educational experiences by linking railway history with local community development and heritage. In fact, studies investigating motivations and expectations of rail trail users have indicated that the heritage component of rail trails is of considerable significance (Willard & Beeton, 2012). In addition, rail trails are frequently located in areas of beautiful scenery and may utilize physical features associated with their railway past, such as high bridges and old tunnels, all providing an extra flavor to the leisure experience (Reis & Jellum, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, research on rail trail tourism and on issues surrounding cycle tourism product development is still scarce (Willard & Beeton, 2012) and therefore requires more attention from tourism planners and academics working in this field. This article aims to provide a contribution in this direction by presenting the case of a rail trail tourism product in which some of its major stakeholders were currently considering options for further product development and integration with other tourism products in the region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Tourism Products to Enhance Cycle Tourism: The Case of the Taieri Gorge Railway and the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand

Reis¹,

Lovelock²,

Jellum³

2014

Tourism Review International

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This study, undertaken in rural New Zealand, discusses issues involved in enhancing linkages between an existing rail tourism product and a cycle tourism product. The article assesses demand for such a development and gauges current and potential future connectivity between the two products. The article draws on a survey of train passengers and rail trail visitors, along with interviews undertaken with key tourism and community stakeholders in relation to the rail trail. The data highlight problems around product development and integration. While participants agree that an enhanced link between the railway and the rail trail will be of benefit for all those involved with tourism in the region, stakeholders who currently benefit from the current (unenhanced) links between the two tourism products are hesitant about improved connectivity because of concerns centered around community growth management. Conversely, other stakeholders support enhanced rail/trail connections, lending weight to social exchange premises which infer that attitudes towards a particular issue are influenced by evaluations of the real and expected outcomes for individuals or their communities. The article highlights the complexities around the multistakeholder nature of managing such linear routes, especially in rural communities where the benefits and drawbacks of tourism developments are strongly felt.

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“…Information on accommodation and catering is desirable for all trails and essential in the case of long-distance walking routes. Willard and Beeton (2012) report that the success of a trail depends as much on good service delivery en route, as it does to the trail experience itself. Local information can be themed to complement the trail, for example Scotland's Castle Trail playfully includes a selection of castle accommodation for the visitor who wants to extend the fantasy of castle-living after a day of viewing Scotland's sites.…”

Section: Planning Economically Responsible Trails: the Principle Of Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-guided trails – a route to more responsible tourism?

MacLeod

2016

Tourism Recreation Research

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In recent years, the tourism industry has faced its critics by turning its attention to the development of more responsible tourism. This is a form of tourism that is mindful of the diverse needs of host communities, local business and the visitor. This article investigates the development of more responsible tourism from the perspective of a popular tourist product -the self-guided trail or route. The trail or route provides a themed and interpreted journey through the urban or rural landscape, creating links between sites, attractions and other tourism businesses and providing information and storytelling along the way. These products have a global appeal and are becoming more prolific. Through reviewing the literature on trails the paper analyses their key characteristics and the rationales of developers and concludes that trails have the potential to contribute to more responsible tourism development. The paper goes on to propose a series of planning principles which are derived from the literature and examples of good practice therein which may assist trail developers in creating more responsible tourism routes and trails. The discussion concludes with a case study of a project in Cornwall in the south west of the UK, where responsible planning has underpinned recent trail development.

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Low Impact Experiences: Developing Successful Rail Trail Tourism

Cited by 14 publications

References 16 publications

An investigation of factors determining cycling experience and frequency

An investigation of factors determining cycling experience and frequency

Linking Tourism Products to Enhance Cycle Tourism: The Case of the Taieri Gorge Railway and the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand

Self-guided trails – a route to more responsible tourism?

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