Connecting protected area visitor experiences, wellness motivations, and soundscape perceptions in Chilean Patagonia

• Published in: Journal of leisure research 2022-05, Vol.53 (3), p.377-403
• Main Authors: Ednie, Andrea, Gale, Trace, Beeftink, Karen, Adiego, Andrés
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustics; Cluster analysis; Demographics; Demography; Healthy Parks; Healthy People (HPHP); natural sounds; Perceptions; Protected areas; Ratings; Social factors; soundscape; visitor wellness motivations; Visitors; Wellness
• ISSN: 0022-2216; 2159-6417
• DOI: 10.1080/00222216.2020.1814177

Supporting worldwide Healthy Parks, Healthy People (HPHP) research expansion, this study investigated how wellness motivations interplay with auditory experiences by examining relationships between protected area visitors' wellness motivations, and their perceptions of particular sounds and overall soundscape appeal. Visitor surveys (N = 899), implemented in the Coyhaique National Reserve in Chilean Patagonia, included participant demographics, wellness motivations, a listening exercise, and overall soundscape ratings. Wellness motivations were reduced into emotional, intellectual, physical, sensory, and social dimensions. All dimensions were significantly correlated with participants' ratings of the soundscape's appeal and their desire to visit more (based on the soundscape). Cluster analysis grouped participants into low, moderate, and high wellness motives groups. Groups with high-wellness motives were found to rate specific natural sounds and the overall soundscape higher than groups with lower wellness motives. This study suggests incorporating visitors' wellness motivations into soundscape and other perception-based research may assist with HPHP objectives.