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The Recreational Trail of the El Caminito del Rey Natural Tourist Attraction, Spain: Determination of Hikers’ Flow

Author

Listed:
  • Gemma María Gea-García

    (Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Sport Sciences, San Antonio Catholic University, 30107 Murcia, Spain)

  • Carmelo Fernández-Vicente

    (Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Francisco J. Barón-López

    (Department of Public Health and Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Jesús Miranda-Páez

    (Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

Abstract

Hiking is a very popular outdoor activity, and has led to an exponential increase in the number of visitors to natural spaces. The objective of this study was to analyze the circulation pattern of visitors to the Caminito del Rey trail, based on the three zones into which the trail can be divided. The sample consisted of 1582 hikers distributed into three different profiles. Of these, 126 utilized an eye-tracking device during the hike, while, for the rest (1456), only their travel speed along the trail was recorded. The use of eye tracking devices identified a greater number of interesting landscapes located in zones 1 and 3 of the trail, and it was observed that the mean travel speed was greater for zone 2 (42.31 m/min) ( p < 0.01). Additionally, when the three different visitor profiles were analyzed, significant differences were found between the mean travel speeds according to sectors ( p < 0.05). This information is crucial for more efficient management of the trail, as it allows for the development of measures to control and regulate the flow of visitors according to zone, and the design of additional strategies to increase the awareness of the hiker about specific areas of the hike.

Suggested Citation

  • Gemma María Gea-García & Carmelo Fernández-Vicente & Francisco J. Barón-López & Jesús Miranda-Páez, 2021. "The Recreational Trail of the El Caminito del Rey Natural Tourist Attraction, Spain: Determination of Hikers’ Flow," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1809-:d:498442
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Collins-Kreiner, Noga & Kliot, Nurit, 2016. "Particularism vs. Universalism in Hiking Tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 132-137.
    2. Anastasios Michailidis & Vagis Samathrakis & Spyridon Mamalis & Georgios Theodosiou, 2006. "Understanding Participation Constraints of Potential Skiers," Tourism Economics, , vol. 12(3), pages 421-435, September.
    3. Martin Niedermeier & Carina Grafetstätter & Martin Kopp & Daniela Huber & Michaela Mayr & Christina Pichler & Arnulf Hartl, 2019. "The Role of Anthropogenic Elements in the Environment for Affective States and Cortisol Concentration in Mountain Hiking—A Crossover Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Isaac Lera & Toni Pérez & Carlos Guerrero & Víctor M Eguíluz & Carlos Juiz, 2017. "Analysing human mobility patterns of hiking activities through complex network theory," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, May.
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