Social construction of nature in tourism

Nadzirah Hosen, Amran Hamzah, Mohammad Rafee Majid and Janatun Naim Yusof

Annals of Tourism Research, 2025, vol. 112, issue C

Abstract: This study employs the theory of social construction of reality to examine how primary and secondary socialization processes shape tourists' perceptions of nature. An online survey of 167 domestic tourists who visited nature-based tourism sites in Malaysia reveals that fear, particularly of supernatural beings and predators, dominates many tourists' emotions toward nature. This fear is rooted in early socialization, where parents emphasize the dangers of nature. While secondary socialization introduces recreational aspects of nature, the influence of primary socialization remains significant. The findings suggest that nature-based tourism destinations must work within these pre-existing beliefs to understand tourist behaviour and promote stronger environmental stewardship.

Keywords: Nature-based tourism; Ecotourism; Sustainable tourism; Domestic tourist; Social construction of nature; Environmental psychology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:anture:v:112:y:2025:i:c:s0160738325000532

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2025.103947

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