Maryam Shahmoradi; Hadi Bagheri
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the role of tourists’ perceived motivations and risks in their attachment to adventure sports tourism destinations. This research follows an applied approach based on descriptive correlation. The statistical population consisted of paraglider pilots who traveled ...
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The current study aimed to investigate the role of tourists’ perceived motivations and risks in their attachment to adventure sports tourism destinations. This research follows an applied approach based on descriptive correlation. The statistical population consisted of paraglider pilots who traveled to the flight sites of Golestan Province in 2021, and a sample of 103 participant was selected through available sampling. The data was collected through three questionnaires and analyzed by structural equation modeling. The findings showed that pleasure, excitement, socialization, and escape are the four motivations that positively and significantly impact attachment to adventure sports tourism destinations. Additionally, perceived risk was found to have a significant negative impact on tourists’ attachment to adventure sports destinations. Based on the findings, practical suggestions were proposed for sports adventure tourism destinations. IntroductionAdventure tourism has become an attractive option for sports tourists die to its features of risk-taking, challenge-seeking, and thrill-seeking, which offer new and unique experiences while immersing in nature. Flight sites, which offer aerial activities like paragliding, intend to create positive impressions among tourists, foster their mental and attitudinal attachment, and encourage favorable behavioral outcomes. Tourists have not only different motives for traveling, but also preconceptions about a destination that can significantly influence their travel intentions. In this respect, the current study aimed to investigate the role of perceived motivations and risks in tourists’ attachment to adventure sports tourism destinations.Materials and methodsThis study was an applied research based on descriptive correlation. The statistical population consisted of paragliding pilots who had used the flying sites of Golestan Province in 2021. A total of 103 pilots completed the mental attachment questionnaire of Duman et al. (2018) and two researcher-developed questionnaires on perceived travel motivations and risks. The data was analyzed through SPSS 23 and Smart PLS software. Results and DiscussionThe findings indicated that pleasure, excitement, companionship, and escape were the four motivations with significantly positive impact on attachment to the adventure sports tourism destination. Despite the high risk in adventure sports, the results showed that positive and negative emotions and pleasure from these activities can improve sports tourists’ perceptions of the services provided. Socializing with other people on flying sites is another factor that influences tourists’ mental attachment. This attachment can stem from a positive mental image created through the interaction between tourists and hosts, an understanding of the local culture, and a feeling of affection towards hosts. Finally, flying sites provide an opportunity for people to get away from everyday worries, enjoy a natural environment away from cities, and find peace, which can leave a positive mental image and develop attachment. On the other hand, the effect of perceived risks on tourists’ attachment was significantly negative. It seems that the fear of potential danger, life accidents, financial and equipment risks, or even the possibility of the unfulfilled promises by the host can have a negative impact on tourists’ mental attachment to the flying sites. Therefore, it is important to reduce negative risks as much as possible while addressing tourists’ motivations.ConclusionThe flying sites that offer adventure activities can invest in the activities by enhancing interactions with tourists, perpetuating recreational conditions, providing more exciting events, reducing negative risks, and enhancing safety indicators. These can increase the resonance of adventure sports tourism destinations and foster greater attachment.
