Interrelationships between landscapes, sports facilities and sports experiences in destinations

Abstract of the study

This study is dedicated to the exploration of sport experiences as an integral part of popular culture. It focuses on the investigation of sport experiences perceived by sport participants and their complex interrelationships with the specific spaces and places available within destinations. Destination space, living space and sports locations and spaces are linked together in a theoretical framework and examined in detail.

Twenty-four interviews were conducted with runners and climbers for this study. The data was analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis. The findings indicate close and significant relationships between destination spaces and sports locations and spaces. These are also significantly reinforced by peak experiences, feelings of flow and the characteristic qualities of the serious leisure framework. With regard to regional destination development, the results reveal that popular cultural phenomena, in particular spatially anchored sports practices, can be specifically harnessed and promoted for sustainable tourism gains, as sports exert a transformative force on places and their identity.

This study thus makes an important contribution to existing theory by linking and examining in depth various previously unexplored spatial concepts - namely habitat, destination space and sports locations and spaces.

Key findings of this study

• The study shows strong correlations between destination spaces and sports locations and spaces in the perceived sports experiences, whereby the private living space of the participants plays a marginal role for sports experiences in destinations.
• Landscapes are much more important than sports facilities for the spatial practice of sport; they are actively explored by runners and climbers, which creates an emotional bond with these natural spaces.
• The sporting experiences are significantly characterized by the occurrence of peak experiences, feelings of flow and the qualities of the serious leisure framework.
• From the perspective of regional destination development, spatial sports practices can be used and promoted as a form of popular culture for sustainable tourism benefits, as sports transform places and their identity.
• The study makes a theoretical contribution by linking and exploring previously unexplored spatial concepts (living space, destination space and sports locations and spaces) in relation to sports experiences.