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.

KEYWORDS:

• Sport tourism
• adventure tourism
• psychological well-being
• nature connectedness
• self-determination theory
• eudaimonia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Houge Mackenzie

Susan Houge Mackenzie is Associate Professor in the University of Otago, Department of Tourism where she investigates links between adventure and psychological well-being. She is a former adventure guide and has provided consulting for government and tourism agencies including NZ riverboarding, the History Channel, and the United States Forest Service. She is Associate Editor for JOREL, an International Advisory Board member for JAEOL, and a member of the Adventure Tourism Research Association steering committee.

Ken Hodge

Ken Hodge is Professor in sport and exercise psychology at the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand. His research focuses primarily on the psycho-social effects of participation in sport. In particular, he has investigated issues such as life skill development through sport, sport and psychological well-being, self-determined motivation in sport, sport commitment, prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sport, athlete burnout, and athlete engagement. He is former Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology; and currently serves on the Editorial Boards for The Sport Psychologist, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, and Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology.

Sebastian Filep

Sebastian Filep, PhD, is Associate Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Dr Filep is developing a platform of research focusing on investigations of well-being, happiness, and flourishing in tourism, primarily drawing from the field of positive psychology.