Interrelationships of landscapes, sportscapes and sport experiences in destinations

ABSTRACT

This study explores sport experiences. Sports are a form of popular culture. This study examines sport participants’ perceived sport experiences. The interrelationships between sport experiences and the spaces and places offered within destinations are studied. Destination space, living space and sport places and space are theoretically linked and explored. Twenty-four interviews are conducted with runners and climbers. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis is applied. The results suggest strong relationships between destination spaces and sport places and spaces. Peak experiences, feelings of flow, and the serious leisure framework qualities also facilitate these. From a regional destination development perspective, the findings show that popular culture, such as spatial sports practices, can be appropriated and leveraged for sustainable tourism gain, as sports transform places, and place identity. This study contributes to theory. The interviews link and explore different conceptualisations of space (living space, destination space and sport places and spaces) that have not yet been examined.

KEYWORDS:

• Spatial experience
• sport tourism
• popular culture
• destination management
• serious leisure

Disclosure statement

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