¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile

The main objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of the socioeconomic profile that tourism operators have about their hikers/visitors with the socioeconomic profile of hiking users in the mountains of Valencia region (Spain).  A mixed methodology has been used. First, 15 semi-structur...

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Main Authors: Antonio Vidal-Matzanke, Jorge Terrades-Daroqui, Pablo Vidal-González
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: FEADEF 2024-11-01
Series:Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
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Online Access:https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/article/view/108765
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author Antonio Vidal-Matzanke
Jorge Terrades-Daroqui
Pablo Vidal-González
author_facet Antonio Vidal-Matzanke
Jorge Terrades-Daroqui
Pablo Vidal-González
author_sort Antonio Vidal-Matzanke
collection DOAJ
description The main objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of the socioeconomic profile that tourism operators have about their hikers/visitors with the socioeconomic profile of hiking users in the mountains of Valencia region (Spain).  A mixed methodology has been used. First, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. Secondly, 154 surveys were carried out with hikers to characterize their profile. Both samples were cross-checked to see the similarities and differences between the perceptions of both groups. The results indicate that changes in consumer trends, with the emergence of new market niches that are very interesting from a tourism point of view, such as the public new and very interesting market niches from a tourism point of view, such as women and senior female and senior public, as well as the local tourist or one-day hikers. These market segments represent an opportunity to consolidate an increasingly growing market.an increasingly growing market. The results indicate that there are some similarities between some of the demographic and economic variables studied. However, in other variables there is a misperception of practitioners by employers. This information can help to better target potential tourists. This study also provides a very detailed description of specific profiles of hikers. This information can be very useful both for private sports tourism companies to be able to segment their clients and launch very specific promotional strategies. Keywords: Sports Tourism; Tourism Industry Perceptions; Hikers Profile, Hiking, Spain
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 1579-1726
1988-2041
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
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record_format Article
series Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
spelling doaj-art-02e5f2c61e0b4082904691f0ca9583a52024-12-25T17:11:53ZengFEADEFRetos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación1579-17261988-20412024-11-016010.47197/retos.v60.108765¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profileAntonio Vidal-Matzanke0Jorge Terrades-Daroqui1Pablo Vidal-González2Doctoral School. Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Faculty of Sports Science, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainDoctoral School. Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Faculty of Sports Science, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainFaculty of Sports Science, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain The main objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of the socioeconomic profile that tourism operators have about their hikers/visitors with the socioeconomic profile of hiking users in the mountains of Valencia region (Spain).  A mixed methodology has been used. First, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. Secondly, 154 surveys were carried out with hikers to characterize their profile. Both samples were cross-checked to see the similarities and differences between the perceptions of both groups. The results indicate that changes in consumer trends, with the emergence of new market niches that are very interesting from a tourism point of view, such as the public new and very interesting market niches from a tourism point of view, such as women and senior female and senior public, as well as the local tourist or one-day hikers. These market segments represent an opportunity to consolidate an increasingly growing market.an increasingly growing market. The results indicate that there are some similarities between some of the demographic and economic variables studied. However, in other variables there is a misperception of practitioners by employers. This information can help to better target potential tourists. This study also provides a very detailed description of specific profiles of hikers. This information can be very useful both for private sports tourism companies to be able to segment their clients and launch very specific promotional strategies. Keywords: Sports Tourism; Tourism Industry Perceptions; Hikers Profile, Hiking, Spain https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/article/view/108765turismo deportivopercepciones de la industria turísticaperfil de los senderistassenderismoEspañaSports Tourism
spellingShingle Antonio Vidal-Matzanke
Jorge Terrades-Daroqui
Pablo Vidal-González
¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
turismo deportivo
percepciones de la industria turística
perfil de los senderistas
senderismo
España
Sports Tourism
title ¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
title_full ¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
title_fullStr ¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
title_full_unstemmed ¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
title_short ¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile
title_sort ¬¬the socio economic profile of hikers in the mountains of valencia region spain a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers profile
topic turismo deportivo
percepciones de la industria turística
perfil de los senderistas
senderismo
España
Sports Tourism
url https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/article/view/108765
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