Nature Tourism and Mental Well-Being: Insights from a Controlled Context on Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Imelda Avecillas-Torres, Sebastián Herrera-Puente, Miguel Galarza-Cordero, Fernanda Coello-Nieto, Karina Farfán-Pacheco, Byron Alvarado-Vanegas, Stephany Ordóñez-Ordóñez () and Freddy Espinoza-Figueroa
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Imelda Avecillas-Torres: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador
Sebastián Herrera-Puente: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, University of Azuay, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador
Miguel Galarza-Cordero: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador
Fernanda Coello-Nieto: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, University of Azuay, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador
Karina Farfán-Pacheco: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador
Byron Alvarado-Vanegas: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador
Stephany Ordóñez-Ordóñez: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador
Freddy Espinoza-Figueroa: PREIT-Tour Research Group, Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Recent studies have underscored the importance of tourism in enhancing individuals’ mental well-being through engagement with nature. This article examines the impact of nature-based tourism on alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among a group of 67 university students who exhibited extremely severe levels of these disorders. Participants were assessed both before and after a nature tourism experience in the Tinajillas Río Gualaceño Protected Forest, Ecuador. Mental health changes were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale, with assessments conducted pre- and post-activity, revealing significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress levels, with large and clinically relevant effect sizes. However, a 6-month follow-up indicated that these long-term benefits diminished and no longer held clinical significance, suggesting the need for more frequent interventions to sustain positive effects. This study concludes that nature-based tourism serves as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving mental well-being in the short term, although its sustainability requires continuous interaction with nature. These findings provide empirical support for nature-based tourism as a mental health strategy and highlight the importance of integrating it into public health policies and tourism management strategies.

Keywords: nature-based tourism; mental well-being; depression; anxiety; stress; sustainable mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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