Volume: 15  Number: 3  Page: 288–308  doi:10.2167/jost662.0

Research article

Mountain Areas and Visitor Usage–Motivations and Determinants of Satisfaction: The Case of Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand

Steve Pana and Chris Ryanb aSchool of Hotel and Tourism Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and bDepartment of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Waikato, New Zealand

This paper reports on visitor motivations and satisfaction at Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand. The study used a derivative of the Leisure Motivation Scale to assess motives, and a factor analysis confirmed five dimensions of ‘relaxation’, ‘social needs’, ‘a sense of belonging’, ‘mastery skills’, and ‘intellectual needs’. From the scales, five clusters were identified; ‘active social relaxers’, ‘enthusiastic visitors’, ‘nature isolates’, ‘relaxers’, and ‘reluctant visitors’. Using regression analysis, it appears that ‘pull’ factors are better predictors of overall satisfaction than motivational ‘push’ factors, but a key aspect is that among local residents who use the Park there is a high level of repeat usage. Management implications are explored.

Keywords: forest parks, mountains, protected area management, ecotourism, recreation, New Zealand

Copyright © 2007 S. Pan © C. Ryan

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