Adventure Changing People : Transfer Effect in Adventure Travel
Suominen, Teemu (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202402072619
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202402072619
Tiivistelmä
This paper investigated the effects of a three-week Nepal expedition in its participants. The case study examined three different commercial expeditions conducted high in the Himalayas in 2022 and 2023 to find out what kind of an impact they had on the expedition members and what were the elements of their experience that affected people the most after returning home. The development plan was commissioned by Travel Agency Aventura in order to learn about transfer and the impact of their products in their clientele.
With a knowledge base leaning on theories in for example adventure, transfer and adventure tourism, the research was executed by first observing the groups during their expeditions, then presenting the members a series of hypothesis’ to confirm or reject via a survey and eventually interviewing the members regarding their experience. The objective was to learn what kind of transfer the participants had recognized during and especially after their trips.
The results show that joining a broad scale expedition including a physical challenge affects people in many positive ways that are transferrable to other aspects of life. The treks and climbs in Nepal enhanced the participants’ self-confidence and resilience and had an impact on their values. People experienced agency and spirituality, pondered their approaches on sustainability and learned new personal skills while working their way together towards a 6000 meter Himalayan peak. The research shows that, when pedagogically guided and facilitated, long expeditions provide an excellent opportunity for learning, contribute to the participants’ personal development and can change lives for the better.
The Research results provided Aventura a range of information and feedback on how their expeditions affect their clients outside the fixed curriculums in sometimes surprising ways. Paying attention to elements of transfer recognized in this development plan helps Aventura implement pedagogical elements into their adventure itineraries to build an even better portfolio of meaningful travel products.
With a knowledge base leaning on theories in for example adventure, transfer and adventure tourism, the research was executed by first observing the groups during their expeditions, then presenting the members a series of hypothesis’ to confirm or reject via a survey and eventually interviewing the members regarding their experience. The objective was to learn what kind of transfer the participants had recognized during and especially after their trips.
The results show that joining a broad scale expedition including a physical challenge affects people in many positive ways that are transferrable to other aspects of life. The treks and climbs in Nepal enhanced the participants’ self-confidence and resilience and had an impact on their values. People experienced agency and spirituality, pondered their approaches on sustainability and learned new personal skills while working their way together towards a 6000 meter Himalayan peak. The research shows that, when pedagogically guided and facilitated, long expeditions provide an excellent opportunity for learning, contribute to the participants’ personal development and can change lives for the better.
The Research results provided Aventura a range of information and feedback on how their expeditions affect their clients outside the fixed curriculums in sometimes surprising ways. Paying attention to elements of transfer recognized in this development plan helps Aventura implement pedagogical elements into their adventure itineraries to build an even better portfolio of meaningful travel products.