Wheels of Escape: Seeking Nature, Well-Being and Gratitude on the Road

Özgür Koyun and Gökçe Yüksek
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Özgür Koyun: Tourist Guidance Department, Tourism Faculty, Anadolu University, Türkiye
Gökçe Yüksek: Tourist Guidance Department, Tourism Faculty, Anadolu University, Türkiye

Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, 2026, vol. 14, issue 1, 21-36

Abstract: This study examines individuals’ motivations for escaping and seeking in the context of nature-oriented sightseeing travel, with a specific focus on bus travel as the primary mode of transportation. While literature often examines these motivations through individual psychological processes or destination-related evaluations, limited attention has been given to the role of transportation, particularly bus travel, in shaping travel motivations and well-being outcomes. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals who had participated in bus-based sightseeing tours. The findings reveal that participants’ connection to the natural environment is not solely based on personal preferences but emerges from a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental influences. A key outcome of nature-oriented sightseeing travel was the expression of gratitude, which played a central role in participants’ well-being. Moreover, the structure of bus tours, which enable scenic observation and collective experiences, was found to support emotional and psychological engagement. These insights underscore that transportation is not merely a logistical element but an experiential component that significantly contributes to overall well-being. This study offers a novel perspective by emphasizing how the mode of travel itself can shape the depth and quality of the nature-oriented sightseeing travel experience, thereby enriching individuals’ psychological outcomes.

Keywords: Escape; Seeking; Nature-oriented Sightseeing; Well-Being; Bus Travel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M31 R41 Z32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:jspord:022409

DOI: 10.34623/93xw-1c03

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