Guided nature-based adventure activity in the Pyrenees

Visitors’ profiles and effects on environmental attitudes and well-being

Bibliographic Data

ID21724005
AuthorsAnder Chamarro (0000-0002-8059-5467, Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona), Ana Muro (0000-0002-1331-9921, Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona), Corel Mateo Canedo (0000-0002-0620-9257, Stress and Health Research Group, Autonomous University of Barcelona), Montse Subirana-Malaret (0000-0002-5393-7361, Universitat de Barcelona), Antoni Sanz (0000-0002-7952-4477, Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume25
Issue2
Pages134-152
Publication date2026-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ecotourism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1472-4049 • E-ISSN: 1747-7638
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14724049.2025.2488351
OpenAlexW4409250085
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited45

Nature-based adventure activity has become increasingly popular due to its positive impact on well-being. Activities, such as mountaineering, often incorporate thrill components and require tourists to master physical and technical skills. Guides can play a key role in improving tourists' experience and promoting environmental consciousness. This study investigated the impact of guiding on tourist's experience and pro-environmental attitudes, along with identifying sociodemographic and psychological profiles of visitors hiring guides in a natural park. An ex-post-facto design was conducted on a 2 x 2-factor framework (guided versus non-guided mountaineering; pre- versus post-activity). On-site questionnaires assessed psychological aspects, pro-environmental attitudes and sociodemographic factors related to tourism behavior. Nature-based activity enhanced pro-environmental attitudes, and guiding mitigated perceived difficulty and risk. A sociodemographic profile relying on attitudes, group size, technical preparedness, and age achieved 85% discriminant capacity between guided and non-guided mountaineers. A psychological profile, relying on perceived difficulty, ecological values, and risk avoidance, distinguished guided from non-guided mountaineers (64% discriminant capacity). The results emphasize profiling mountaineers' characteristics to enhance visitor experience, preserve natural areas, and highlight the benefits of guiding for long-term sustainability. The conclusions of this study are geographically limited, highlighting the need for further research in diverse environments

Adventure · Archaeology · Ecotourism · Environmental ethics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Nature tourism · Tourism · Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking · Computer Science · Environmental Science · Philosophy · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Urban Green Space and Health · Artificial Intelligence

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