TOURISM AND RECREATION IN THE PLEASURE PERIPHERY - The Geography of Tourism and Recreation - page 327

Table 7.2: Components of the wilderness
experience

Component Nature of experience Examples

Aesthetic
appreciation

Appreciation of wild nature Leopold 1921, 1925; Marshall

1930;McKenry 1972a; Smith 1977;
Hamilton-Smith 1980; Alexander 1984;
R.Nash 1990

Religious The experience of God in the

wilderness

McKenry 1972a; Hendee et al. 1978;
Wright 1980; Hamilton-Smith 1980;
R.Nash 1990

Escapist Finding freedom away from the

constraints of city living

McKenry 1972a; Smith 1977; Hendee et
al. 1978; Hamilton-Smith 1980; Hawes
1981

Challenge The satisfaction that occurs in

overcoming dangerous situations and
fully utilising physical skills

McKenry 1972a; Smith 1977; Gardner
1978; Hamilton-Smith 1980

Historic/romantic The opportunity to relive or imagine
the experiences of pioneers of the
'frontier' that formed national culture

Leopold 1925; Smith 1977; Hamilton-
Smith 1980; Ride 1980; Alexander 1984;
S.Johnston 1985

Solitude The pleasure of being alone in a wild

setting

Lee 1977; Smith 1977; Hamilton-Smith
1980; Hawes 1981; Sinclair 1986

Companionship Paradoxically, in relation to the

previous category, the desire to share
the setting with companions

Lee 1977; Smith 1977; Hamilton-Smith
1980

Discovery/learning The thrill of discovering or learning
about nature in a natural setting

Smith 1977; Gardner 1978; Hamilton-
Smith 1980

Vicarious
appreciation

The pleasure of knowing that
wilderness exists without actually
ever having seen it

McKenry 1977; Smith 1977; Hawes
1981; S.Johnston 1985

Technology Influence of technological change on

outdoor activities

Marsh and Wall 1982

The preservation of wilderness is regarded as an essential component in the scientific
study of the environment and human impact on the environment. Furthermore, wilderness
has increasingly come to assume tremendous economic importance because of the value
of the genetic material that it contains. However, the multidimensional nature of the
wilderness resource may lead to value conflicts over the use of wilderness areas.
A fourth theme which is inherent in the values of wilderness is that of economic
worth. In addition to the economic significance of genetic resources, wilderness has
importance as a tourist and recreation attraction. Indeed, the economic valuation of
wilderness and natural areas has now become a critical factor in their designation (Hall
1992a), although it should be noted that the economic value of tourism has long been
used to justify national park creation in areas that would otherwise be deemed worthless
(Runte 1972a, 1972b, 1973, 1974a, 1974b, 1977, 1979, 2002). Such a value may also be
enhanced through international recognition such as that achieved through listing as a
World Heritage site (Mosley 1983).