Policy and Management Recommendations Informed by the Health Benefits of Visitor Experiences in Alberta’s Protected Areas

Abstract
Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual's health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the "service provider" "client" relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate.
Authors: Christopher J. Lemieux,Sean T. Doherty,Paul F. J. Eagles,Mark W. Groulx,Glen T. Hvenegaard,Joyce Gould,Elizabeth Nisbet,Francesc Romagosa Publication Date: 1/1/2016

Publication Type: Journal Article

URL:https://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/6800