Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Geography
Summary
Recreation, leisure and tourism geography examines how individuals and communities experience, consume and conserve places during leisure activities. It investigates the spatial distribution of attractions—from urban parks and heritage sites to coastlines, mountain areas and protected reserves—and the processes by which these sites are produced, managed and accessed. Core concerns include mapping tourist flows, analysing the provision and design of supporting infrastructure (transport networks, accommodation and amenities) and assessing socio-environmental impacts of visitation. Interdisciplinary research blends spatial analysis to reveal patterns of supply and demand, behavioural science to understand motivations and normative influences, and planning theory to develop evidence-based interventions that reconcile visitor satisfaction with conservation objectives. Studies highlight the interplay of personal and social norms in shaping choices such as waste disposal, trail etiquette and resource use, and demonstrate how subtle environmental cues and facility design can foster sustainable conduct. The field also addresses dynamics of seasonality and mass-tourism, exploring how crowding affects local economies, ecological integrity and community well-being. Globally, insights from this research inform resilient tourism strategies, protected-area management and inclusive urban leisure planning, ensuring that leisure experiences remain enriching while safeguarding natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
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Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Geography publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in recreation, leisure and tourism geography across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Destination Unique Fascination: Distinctive physical or cultural characteristics of a location that evoke positive emotions and strengthen visitors’ intentions to engage in protective behaviours.
Theory of Planned Behaviour: A socio-cognitive model positing that an individual’s attitude, perceived social norms and perceived behavioural control determine their behavioural intentions.
Norm Activation Model: A framework proposing that personal norms—activated by awareness of consequences and perceived responsibility—drive moral and pro-environmental actions.
Personal Norms: Internalised moral obligations that motivate individuals to act in accordance with ethical or environmental standards.
Cognitive and Affective Triggers: Informational cues that impart knowledge (cognitive) or evoke emotions (affective), which together influence attitudes and subsequent behaviours.
References
- Landscape and Unique Fascination: A Dual-Case Study on the Antecedents of Tourist Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions. Land (2022).
- Explaining littering prevention among park visitors using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Norm Activation Model. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks (2023).
- Travelers’ Responsible Environmental Behavior towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism: An Empirical Investigation on Social Media User-Generated Content. Sustainability (2020).
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