Hikes and Levadas in Madeira: Characterizing Visitors and their experience

Prudente João (), Lopes Helder, Noite João, Rodrigues Ana, Vieira Sara, Alves Ricardo and Fernando Catarina
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Prudente João: Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105Funchal
Lopes Helder: Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105Funchal
Noite João: CITUR, Polo Madeira, Colegio dos Jesuítas, Rua dos Ferreiros, 9000-082, Funchal
Rodrigues Ana: Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105Funchal
Vieira Sara: CITUR, Polo Madeira, Colegio dos Jesuítas, Rua dos Ferreiros, 9000-082, Funchal
Alves Ricardo: Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105Funchal
Fernando Catarina: Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105Funchal

European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, 2020, vol. 10, issue 2, 154-164

Abstract: Recent research indicates that more and more often tourists use the Madeira Natural Park (MNP) area to develop their physical activity, through mountain hiking and Levada walks. This study aims at identifying tourists’ characteristics and to understand how visitors live their experience. A survey was carried out at the end of two different activities and the sample was divided into two groups (G1: Levada Walks in the Laurissilva; G2: Walks outside the Laurissilva). The data was collected immediately after the activity ended (total: 293; male: 124; female: 169) and people were asked about: 1. Information available at the start of the activity; 2. Interaction and attention demand; 3. Natural area visited. The data indicates that the Madeira tourists have higher education, many are students and teachers, the majority being European. Our tourists are well informed about the natural environment and more than 90% agreed that it was ideal for aesthetic enjoyment and inspiring exploration. Our findings can help the tourist agents to improve their products, encourage the agencies to attract new markets outside Europe and can work as a basis for providing more guidance in the MNP, promoting a higher ‘flow experience’.

Keywords: Active tourism; Flow experience; Nature hikes; Levadas; Sports tourism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:ejothr:v:10:y:2020:i:2:p:154-164:n:5

DOI: 10.2478/ejthr-2020-0013

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