Safety first: The consequence of tourists' recreation safety climate

Abstract

Safety is among the most critical prerequisites for outdoor recreation and tourism development. This study expands the framework of recreation safety climate (RSC) in outdoor recreation by examining the relationship between RSC and its outcomes, including situational involvement, recreation satisfaction, place dependence, place identity, and destination loyalty. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect empirical data from tourists engaged in surfing in Taiwan. Based on a structural equation modeling approach, our findings indicate that tourist perceptions of RSC positively affected their situational involvement, recreation satisfaction, place dependence, place identity, and destination loyalty. This study can help recreation service managers to realize the importance of RSC. Such managers should adapt RSC indicators to compensate for any lack of safety measures in their facilities. RSC can improve the degree of involvement and satisfaction of tourists in terms of their activities, dependence, identity, and loyalty to the place of recreation. This study provides several management implications for safety strategies to improve the tourist experience.Management implications: RSC is a critical component of recreational activity participation. Based on the importance of RSC in this study's framework, we propose the following suggestions for the reference of recreational activity managers. Establish standard operation procedures for safety equipment inspection so that tourists can use equipment that meets the relevant safety standards for their activities. Establish clear rules and regulations regarding safety so that tourists have guidelines to follow. Design safety training processes for tourists to improve their capabilities and commitment regarding safety matters, so that they enjoy the recreation facilities and have fun while surfing.