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Identification and Prediction of Latent Classes of Hikers Based on Specialization and Place Attachment

Author

Listed:
  • Hwasung Song

    (Department of Finance and Economy, Suwon Research Institute, Suwon 16829, Korea)

  • Alan R. Graefe

    (Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Kyungmin Kim

    (Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

  • Chanyul Park

    (Department of Economics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02540, Korea)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to extend previous research by combining the specialization and place attachment concepts. Applying a latent profile analysis (LPA) to data from hikers on the Olle Trail of Jeju Island in South Korea ( N = 428), we classified hikers who share similar profiles based on multiple dimensions of specialization and place attachment, and examined correlates of the derived typologies for drawing managerial implications. We also explored associations between these typologies and outcome variables of hikers. LPA identified three subgroups: “novice” (38%), “affection-driven” (40%), and “expert” (22%). The findings indicated that these groups differed in their past experience and socio-demographic characteristics, such that the “affection-driven” and “expert” groups have more experience in the setting than the “novice” group. These typologies also showed significant associations with hikers’ satisfaction and revisit intention; thus, “novice” hikers tended to be less satisfied with their hiking and the setting. Furthermore, the “novice” group reported lower intention to revisit the setting. Our findings reveal that LPA can be a useful tool for identifying subgroups of individuals who have engaged in particular sets of strategies by incorporating multiple activity-place dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwasung Song & Alan R. Graefe & Kyungmin Kim & Chanyul Park, 2018. "Identification and Prediction of Latent Classes of Hikers Based on Specialization and Place Attachment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1163-:d:140849
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. María Belén Gómez-Martín, 2019. "Hiking Tourism in Spain: Origins, Issues and Transformations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Haibo Tian & Wenting Zhou & Yajun Qiu & Zheng Zou, 2022. "The Role of Recreation Specialization and Self-Efficacy on Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Flow Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-10, March.
    3. Haibo Tian & Wenting Zhou & Yajun Qiu & Yi Shang, 2021. "The Impact of Cycling Specialization on Successful Aging and the Mediating Role of Loneliness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.

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