Recreation substitutability: A research agenda

Abstract

Recreation substitutability has proved to be a difficult research topic, yet the concept still holds promise for management of wildland settings. That promise is brought nearer to realization by recent progress in defining the substitutability concept and describing the array of potential substitution strategies. This article proposes a research agenda that (1) builds on recent developments concerning substitutability and several related topics and (2) addresses substantive questions about how and why different strategies are chosen. Issues for research include criteria for judging equivalency of substitutes; tradeoffs between substitution strategies; factors influencing the choice of nonequivalent (less satisfying) substitutes; the role of place attachment and perceived setting “uniqueness” in substitute choice; the role of time constraints; links between intended substitutes and actual choices; and substitutability as a factor in ceasing participation.

Keywords:

• behavioral intentions
• place attachment
• recreation choice
• research agenda
• satisfaction
• substitutability