Membership motivations for natural conservation tourist attractions

• Ina Reichenberger ^[1]
  1. [1] Victoria University of Wellington

     Victoria University of Wellington

     Nueva Zelanda

     
• Localización: Tourism recreation research, ISSN 0250-8281, Vol. 48, Nº. 2, 2023, págs. 205-219
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Tourism-related non-profit organizations rely on donations andfinancial support from privateindividuals, frequently through membership subscription schemes. This research investigateswhat motivates membership in a tourism-based conservation context to examine thetransferability of existing research in the arts and cultural context. A post-positivist quantitativeonline survey with qualitative elements was distributed to members of Zealandia, an urban eco-sanctuary in New Zealand. Results identify membership motivation as a multi-dimensionalconstruct, with altruistic motivations related to the cause at its core and inextricably linked withhedonic motivations representing positive on-site experiences. Egoistic motivations wereidentified as a supplementary factor only in that free entry as a demonstrable benefit allowsaccess to the experience. The organization itself provided a link between cause and those whovalue it, positioning itself as a point of belonging and connection that mediates the otherwiseintangible connection between people and environment. Through this, members receive avariety of emotional, familial and demonstrable benefits in relation to nature itself, a sense ofbelonging and contribution, and access to observe the impact of their membership. In doing so,this research illustrates the relevance of organization and cause in encouraging localmembership behaviour and continuing support for natural conservation tourist attractions