Typology of recreation experiences: application in a Dutch forest service visitor monitoring survey

This study applied a tourist typology to an outdoor recreation experience (day-use) in a Forest Service preserve in Holland using 25-items representing five modes of experience: amusement, change, interest, rapture and dedication. The aim was to offer a typology of recreation experiences for comparison across Forest Service leisure settings to link experience types to spatial or social conditions. The change mode was the most represented followed by physical challenge, self-discovery, amusement and dedication. Differences among modal types on experience parameters were sought, showing interest mode visitors stayed in the area the longest followed by physical challenge, self-discovery and dedication. Amusement visitors stayed the shortest representing those who came primarily by car and for the pancake restaurant in the forest. Dedication visitors were most satisfied with the area; amusement visitors the least. Forest Service management implications include the need not to oversimplify assumptions about visitors' experiences