Domestic Nature-Based Tourism and Wellbeing: A Roadmap for the New Normal?

Abstract

Since most tourism experiences occur in the natural environment, nature-based tourism (NBT) is probably the largest and most popular form of tourism. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a multitude of studies has investigated the benefits of NBT, particularly the outcomes of participating in nature-based leisure and recreation activities for tourists’ wellbeing. This chapter aims to explore how individuals pursue NBT and leisure during the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of understanding ways of enhancing tourist wellbeing. We first review the benefits of NBT on individuals in relation to selected dimensions of human wellbeing. Due to the decline in international tourism during the pandemic, we draw insights from case studies about domestic nature-based leisure and recreation activities commonly engaged in by people before and during the pandemic. Thereafter, we reflect on the outcomes of the explored nature-based leisure and recreation activities on individuals’ wellbeing during the pandemic, and propose a model highlighting three main dimensions of domestic tourism’s role during and after the pandemic. Finally, we reflect on a future agenda of research on NBT and recreation in the new normal.