The Effect of Connectedness to Nature on Motivation for Participating in Hiking

Abstract

The aim of this study, which examines the effect of connectedness to nature on the motivation to participate in hiking, is to provide marketing and promotional suggestions to travel agencies and other organizations that organize nature-based activities through the relationship between existing variables. Considering the aim of the study, the sample of the study was designed as people who participated in hiking tours organized within the province of Mersin. In order to collect data from the sample group, the questionnaire form consisting of the Connectedness to Nature Scale and the Motivation for Participation in Hiking Scale was used. As a result of the data collection performed between 03 January - 02 March 2020, a total of 280 questionnaires were collected. The result of regression analysis shows that connectedness to nature can predict the dimensions of the motivation for participation in hiking as follows; educational (R2: 0,593), health (R2: 0,525), sociality ((R2: 0,522), observation (R2: 0,482), good-time (R2: 0,473). The results of the study emphasize the connectedness to nature as a strong predictor of motivation for participation in nature-based activities. The results of the study are discussed considering the literature, and implications for the theory and practice are presented.