Publicação
Wheels of Escape: Seeking Nature, Well-Being and Gratitude on the Road
| Resumo: | This study examines individuals' motivations for escaping and seeking in the context of nature-oriented sightseeing travel, with a specific focus on bus travel as the primary mode of transportation. While literature often examines these motivations through individual psychological processes or destination-related evaluations, limited attention has been given to the role of transportation, particularly bus travel, in shaping travel motivations and well-being outcomes. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals who had participated in bus-based sightseeing tours. The findings reveal that participants’ connection to the natural environment is not solely based on personal preferences but emerges from a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental influences. A key outcome of nature-oriented sightseeing travel was the expression of gratitude, which played a central role in participants' well-being. Moreover, the structure of bus tours, which enables scenic observation and collective experiences, was found to support emotional and psychological engagement. These insights underscore that transportation is not merely a logistical element but an experiential component that significantly contributes to overall well-being. This study offers a novel perspective by emphasizing how the mode of travel itself can shape the depth and quality of the nature-oriented sightseeing travel experience, thereby enriching individuals’ psychological outcomes. |
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| Autores principais: | Yüksek, Gökçe |
| Outros Autores: | Koyun, Özgür |
| Assunto: | Escape, Seeking, Nature-oriented Sightseeing, Well-Being, Bus Travel |
| Ano: | 2026 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | unknown |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade do Algarve |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being |
| Resumo: | This study examines individuals' motivations for escaping and seeking in the context of nature-oriented sightseeing travel, with a specific focus on bus travel as the primary mode of transportation. While literature often examines these motivations through individual psychological processes or destination-related evaluations, limited attention has been given to the role of transportation, particularly bus travel, in shaping travel motivations and well-being outcomes. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals who had participated in bus-based sightseeing tours. The findings reveal that participants’ connection to the natural environment is not solely based on personal preferences but emerges from a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental influences. A key outcome of nature-oriented sightseeing travel was the expression of gratitude, which played a central role in participants' well-being. Moreover, the structure of bus tours, which enables scenic observation and collective experiences, was found to support emotional and psychological engagement. These insights underscore that transportation is not merely a logistical element but an experiential component that significantly contributes to overall well-being. This study offers a novel perspective by emphasizing how the mode of travel itself can shape the depth and quality of the nature-oriented sightseeing travel experience, thereby enriching individuals’ psychological outcomes. |
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