Wellbeing outcomes of nature tourism: Mt Barney Lodge
Rachel Clissold, Ross Westoby, Karen E. McNamara, Christopher M. Fleming
Abstract
Nature-based tourism may provide a well-structured format to facilitate opportunities for wellness. This research collected in-depth data from 72 tourists to explore the holistic wellbeing outcomes of experiences at the Mt. Barney Lodge in Queensland, Australia. We found that the Lodge offers a multitude of benefits across wellbeing dimensions. Such research indicates that nature is a public health resource, and that nature-tourism enterprises have the potential to deliver nature therapies. Creating carefully planned packages that deliver both nature contact and connectedness, offer self-development and transformative impacts and are partnered with mechanisms to encourage consistent nature contact, may be integral to the lasting wellbeing of people and planet.