Dr Demos Parapanos, Lecturer in Tourism Management
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"I am very pleased to share that our team, supported by University of Cumbria’s Policy Support Fund, have been researching factors shaping young adults’ wellbeing when visiting national parks using the ‘PERMA’ wellbeing model (proposed by Martin Seligman, 2011), and their intention to return. "Results reveal that escapism at national parks positively predicts memorable tourism experiences, indicating that young adults who experience greater psychological escape are more likely to report memorable tourism experiences. Positive tourism impact was also found to positively influence memorable tourism experience suggesting that when young adults perceive tourism as contributing positively to the national parks’ environment, local communities and recreational opportunities they are more likely to develop memorable tourism experiences. "The findings indicate that memorable tourism experiences at national parks positively influence the wellbeing of young adults when they visit national parks, suggesting that national park managers should prioritise experience design strategies that facilitate emotional engagement, restoration, and meaningful connection with nature, thereby maximising the wellbeing benefits derived from park visitation. Lastly, the positive relationship between wellbeing and return intention suggests that visitors who experience greater psychological wellbeing during national park visits are more likely to express intentions to revisit. "The fund mostly covers our researchers’ time; however the group also ensured a small pot to run a workshop at the end of the study (date to be confirmed, summer 2026) sharing our results with the visitor economy and local authorities. We intend the workshop to be a route to research impact, and we will be actively seeking funding to build upon this research." --- For further information, please contact: Dr Demos Parapanos, University of Cumbria Image: Derwent Water, Cumbria. Credit: Megan Richards |