Exploring birdwatchers' experiences through an analysis of online narratives.

This chapter explores the concept of visitor experiences of birdwatchers as a nature-based tourism activity, focusing on the types of visitor experiences (e.g. restorative, cognitive, emotional, transformative, etc.) that are offered within birdwatching tourism. Online narratives of travellers that addressed visitor experiences were included in this study. The traveller reviews address four different destinations, namely The Gambia (n=375), Sayulita, Mexico (n=20), Malaysia (n=119) and Melbourne, Australia (n=148). The focus of the analysis was on the relationship between behaviour patterns of tourists and their post-trip experiences. Management implications deriving from the study results related to birdwatching experiences are presented and discussed.

Augmented reality application in visitor experiences in nature-based tourism.

This chapter analyses the conceptual understanding of visitor experience in a nature-based tourism context with particular reference to augmented reality (AR) applications. Critical explanation is offered to outline the ways in which to apply AR in nature-based tourism settings. The Sundarbans forest in Bangladesh, where there was a devastating oil spill in the Sundarbans Natural World Heritage Site in 2014, is the case study example used in this chapter. The potential importance of AR as a tool to protect the forest's natural fragility is discussed and highlighted. Combining the real and virtual image of the forest is proposed in a management tool to mitigate tourists' negative impacts, protecting the resources for present and future generations and improving visitor experiences.

Applying sustainability indicators in the analysis and segmentation of tourist demand - implications for marine visitor experiences on the Tremiti Islands, Italy.

This chapter presents the findings of qualitative questionnaire research carried out in the Tremiti Islands Marine Reserve, which is part of Gargano National Park, Italy. The study have identified different segments of tourists visiting Tremiti by means of the model proposed by Arnegger et al. (2010), using the matrix suggested in the model. The model was used to understand and categorize visitor characteristics, their expectations and levels of satisfaction, and the strengths and weaknesses of local offerings. This is crucial information for the managers of the marine reserve who require thorough knowledge of the different types of visitors to adapt to the needs, expectations and preferences of the visitors in order to offer high-quality services and memorable experiences.

The future of visitor experiences in nature-based tourism.

This chapter uses the learnings gleaned from the contributions in this book to construct a platform from which to embark on future research that adequately addresses nature-based visitor experiences in a rapidly changing world. The chapter addresses two questions: (1) What does the future hold for nature-based experiences in tourism. (2) And what does management for the future nature-based visitor experience look like?

Sense of place and meaning attributed to nature as a tool for understanding tourists' experiences in nature-based tourism destinations - the visitor perspective.

This chapter proposes an alternative model for analysing the tourism experience in nature-based tourism destinations (NBTDs): a qualitative approach that enables interpretation of the complex and hermeneutical nature of tourism experiences. The model rests on three pillars: (i) comprehension of the attributes comprising sense of place (SP); (ii) understanding the links between visitors and the sites where tourism experiences occur; and (iii) interpretation of the perceived benefits of tourism experience in NBTDs. The model was applied in two natural protected areas in Spain and Chile. The findings demonstrate that the model facilitates the identification of meanings that NBTD visitors assign to their experience and enables us to establish links between visitors, tourists and the territory.

Working with nature in designing cultural events: the case of Norway.

This chapter looks at the role of nature in cultural events and the role of event design in facilitating holistic experiences of nature and culture. The chapter focuses on understanding how the cultural narratives (content) are woven into the natural environment (context) and how this relationship is designed to give rise to the event experience. The study is based on theoretical insights from the fields of event studies and nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation. Empirically, the case is based on Norway, which currently experiences rapid growth in tourism flows as well as proliferation of a wide variety of outdoor events in its scenic natural landscapes. The empirical data come from interviews with outdoor event managers as well as a visual analysis of the websites of cultural events in nature.

Recreational displacement: the case of anglers on the Greenstone River, New Zealand.

This chapter explores the extent of regulation-induced recreational displacement in the Greenstone River, a nationally important trout fishery in New Zealand, where regulations were introduced to manage growing numbers of domestic and international anglers. By comprehensively investigating the nature and scope of recreational displacement, the insights generated from this study are likely to be of considerable relevance for management agencies tasked with planning, and indeed controlling, sensitive natural resources for the ongoing enjoyment of visitors.

Guides as forest experience co-creators: lessons learned at Fulufjället National Park, Sweden.

This chapter explores the role of tour guides as human experience brokers of naturalness in forest areas. After outlining conceptual discussions around the role and tasks of the guide as experience broker, empirical findings from Fulufjället National Park (Sweden) are presented, showing the guide as a pivotal forest experience co-creator. Implications are discussed, with particular emphasis on how the guide's personal valuations of the forest, background and personal aims are reflected in the guide's pathfinding, storytelling and staging strategies, and on how tourists are positively impacted by unexpected and different ways of valuing, mapping and interpreting the forest landscape.

Guides as forest experience co-creators: lessons learned at Fulufjället National Park, Sweden.

This chapter explores the role of tour guides as human experience brokers of naturalness in forest areas. After outlining conceptual discussions around the role and tasks of the guide as experience broker, empirical findings from Fulufjället National Park (Sweden) are presented, showing the guide as a pivotal forest experience co-creator. Implications are discussed, with particular emphasis on how the guide's personal valuations of the forest, background and personal aims are reflected in the guide's pathfinding, storytelling and staging strategies, and on how tourists are positively impacted by unexpected and different ways of valuing, mapping and interpreting the forest landscape.

The infinite visit: a unifying temporal/spatial framework for visitor management.

This chapter proposes the 'infinite visit': a new multidimensional, multi-theoretical framework for visitor management that is responsive to the influence of social media, inclusive of non-visitors and able to respond to real-time changes. The infinite visit represents a foundational shift in the role of the visitor and theoretical and practical applications of visitor management frameworks. An infinite visit framework proposes that visitors become partners in mission with management agencies. In so doing, they become co-creators of conservation outcomes. This aligns with emerging data that support visitors prioritizing conservation over entertainment. A multi-theoretical approach can better facilitate contextually appropriate visitor management interventions within a unified strategic conservation plan.