The influence of leisure sports recreation resources value on recreationers’ willingness to revisit
Fa Wang，1a；Kerong Mou，2b*
1.Male, school of Leisure sprots,Chengdu Sport University,Chengdu City
610041,Sichuan, China
2.Female,College of physical education and health ,Aba Teachers University, Aba
Tibetan and qiang autonomous prefecture 623002,Sichuan
a.Email：101054@cdsu.edu.cn
b.Email：20139613@abtu.edu.cn
Abstract: Leisure sports recreation resources serve as the foundation for
recreational activities, encompassing diverse categories such as natural and
cultural resources. Their value is constituted by functional, experiential,
emotional, and social dimensions. Revisit intention, a key indicator of tourism
experience and destination appeal, is influenced by factors like satisfaction
and emotional identification. This study analyzes the components of leisure
sports recreation resource value and the determinants of revisit intention,
revealing that resource value exerts influence through a sequential pathway:
“value perception → satisfaction enhancement → emotional reinforcement →
revisit intention formation.” Based on these findings, we propose strategies
for enhancing resource value, improving revisit intention, and achieving
synergistic optimization between the two aspects, providing actionable
references for the sustainable development of leisure sports recreation
destinations.
Key words: leisure sports recreation resources; revisit intention;
influence analysis; optimization strategy
foreword
With the steady implementation of China’s “Healthy China” strategy, leisure
sports tourism has become an integral part of modern life. The development and
sustainable management of these resources have garnered significant attention.
As a key indicator of destination competitiveness, repeat visit willingness
plays a vital role in maintaining tourist retention and reducing marketing
costs. While current leisure sports tourism resources exhibit diversified
characteristics, their intrinsic connection between resource value and visitor
loyalty remains underexplored. Clarifying this relationship is crucial for
enhancing resource appeal and driving high-quality industrial development.
I. Definition and classification of leisure sports recreation resources
Leisure sports recreation resources refer to the comprehensive collection
of material and intangible elements that meet people’s needs for leisure,
fitness, and entertainment. These resources form the foundational conditions
for conducting recreational sports activities. They can be categorized based on
resource attributes and functional characteristics: In terms of resource
attributes, they include natural categories such as mountains, lakes, and
forests suitable for outdoor sports, as well as cultural categories like sports
venues, fitness trails, and sports theme parks[1]. Functionally, there are
fitness and leisure facilities (e.g., gyms, square dance areas), competitive
viewing venues (e.g., sports event stadiums), adventure-oriented resources
(e.g., rock climbing bases, rafting rivers), and folk sports venues (e.g.,
traditional martial arts training grounds, dragon boat racing waters).
Together, these diverse resources establish a multifaceted leisure sports
recreation system.
Subcategorization Specific examples
natural kind
Mountains, lakes, forests and other natural Spaces
suitable for outdoor sports
Humanities
Sports venues, fitness trails, sports theme parks
and other artificial facilities
Fitness and
recreation
Gyms, square dancing venues
Competitive
viewing
A venue for a sporting event
Outdoor
adventure
Rock climbing base, river for rafting
Folk sports
category
Traditional martial arts practice ground, dragon
boat race water area
Table 1 Classification of leisure sports recreation resources
The concept of willingness to revisit
Revisit intention refers to the subjective inclination and psychological
willingness of tourists to return to a specific destination after completing a
travel experience. As a key indicator for evaluating tourism quality and
destination appeal, it is influenced by multiple factors including tourist
satisfaction, emotional identification, destination image, and service quality.
Common manifestations include clear plans for future visits, willingness to
recommend the destination to others, or sustained interest in the location[2].
Revisit intention not only reflects tourists ‘recognition of their travel
experiences but also correlates with sustainable development of destinations.
High revisit intention helps reduce marketing costs, stabilize tourist markets,
and serves as a core element demonstrating a destination’s competitiveness.
- Analysis of the influence of leisure sports recreation resources value on recreation
willingness
(1) The constituent elements of the value of leisure sports and recreation resources
The value of leisure sports recreation resources is shaped by multiple
interconnected elements, primarily encompassing functional value, experiential
value, emotional value, and social value. Functional value forms the foundation
through practical considerations: professional-grade facilities (including
safety standards for climbing walls and ergonomic materials for running
tracks), and age-appropriate equipment (such as family-friendly play areas and
accessible senior fitness equipment). Experiential value emphasizes sensory and
psychological engagement, featuring natural ambiance (e.g., negative ion-rich
forest trails and serene lakeside fishing spots) and activity-driven enjoyment
(like the sense of participation in folk sports or the thrill of outdoor
adventures). Emotional value stems from emotional connections—like the sense
of achievement through physical activities and the belonging felt in
collaborative groups. Social value manifests through public attributes:
promoting community sports culture and creating social interaction platforms.
These elements collectively determine a resource’s comprehensive appeal to
recreational users.
(2) Analysis of influencing factors of recreationists’ willingness to revisit
The willingness of recreation participants to revisit destinations is
influenced by multiple factors, with experiential satisfaction being the
primary determinant. This involves evaluations of resource quality (such as
venue safety and facility completeness) and perceptions of service quality
(including staff professionalism and emergency response efficiency). High
satisfaction forms the foundation for revisiting intentions. Emotional
identification plays a secondary role, where participants ‘sense of joy,
belonging, or cultural resonance during activities—like the cultural pride
felt during traditional dragon boat races—strengthens their preference for
return visits. Resource uniqueness is equally crucial: scarce natural
landscapes (e.g., exclusive hiking trails) or distinctive activities (such as
intangible cultural heritage sports experiences) can reduce alternative
destination appeal[3]. Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family,
social media reviews, and destination innovation (like new activity offerings
and seasonal events) all influence participants’ psychological expectations and
decision-making, ultimately shaping their willingness to revisit.
(3) The relationship between the value of leisure sports recreation resources and the
willingness to revisit
The value of leisure sports recreation resources serves as a key driver for
repeat visitation intentions, demonstrating a strong positive correlation
between the two. The functional value of resources directly enhances basic
satisfaction by aligning with recreational needs and practical expectations,
thereby laying the foundation for repeat visits. For instance, well-equipped
professional fitness facilities encourage regular return visits from fitness
enthusiasts. Experiential and emotional values strengthen psychological
connections to boost revisit loyalty. Immersive experiences like forest cycling
or emotional resonance during team-building activities create lasting nostalgia
and revisit impulses. Additionally, the social value and uniqueness of
resources reinforce destination irreplaceability, reducing visitor switching.
When visitors perceive resource value as closely matching their needs, they
develop trust and reliance on the destination, transforming resource value
perception into explicit revisit tendencies. This establishes a transmission
path: “value perception → satisfaction enhancement → emotional reinforcement
→ repeat visit intention formation”.
- Optimization strategies to enhance recreational resources and enhance the
willingness of recreationers to revisit
(1) Strategies to enhance the value of leisure sports and recreation resources
To enhance the value of recreational sports resources, a multi-dimensional
approach is essential. In optimizing functional value, priority should be given
to facility professionalism and adaptability. Outdoor venues require safety
upgrades including rock climbing gear and improved hiking trail signage.
Customized scenarios like children’s playgrounds and senior wellness trails
should cater to different demographics. Experiential value enhancement can be
achieved through immersive environments: developing forest-based sports routes
with audio-visual elements like nighttime glow trails. Emotional resonance
cultivation requires cultural empowerment by exploring regional sports
traditions, transforming folk activities like dragon dance and polo into
interactive experiences, and enhancing emotional connections through narrative
storytelling. For social value expansion, establishing “sports + social”
platforms is crucial. Regular community sports events and family-friendly
carnivals should be organized, while resource-sharing mechanisms like school
sports facilities being open to the public during holidays should be
implemented. This creates a closed-loop value enhancement system characterized
by “comprehensive functionality, unique experiences, emotional bonds, and
social recognition” [4].
(2) Strategies to enhance the willingness of recreationers to revisit
To enhance visitors ‘willingness to return, it’s essential to establish a
multi-touchpoint incentive system spanning the entire lifecycle. Experience
optimization forms the foundation of this framework, covering every stage of
recreation: Before travel, VR technology provides virtual destination tours to
help tourists plan their itineraries. During activities, a “tailored service”
mechanism is implemented – offering childcare for families and professional
coaching for fitness enthusiasts. Post-experience, personalized reports with
exercise statistics and memorable photos are emailed. For emotional retention,
long-term interaction mechanisms should be built: First, create exclusive
profiles documenting participants’ exercise preferences and activity records.
Then, send customized birthday wishes and event invitations during holidays to
foster a “sports community” that enhances belonging. Organize online groups by
sports type and regularly host offline events like monthly themed running clubs
to build stable interest communities. Differentiated attraction is key to
increasing return visits. Develop unique experiences through resource-specific
initiatives: Lake-based projects like “Starry Night Kayaking Tours,” or
mountain-themed challenges like “Seasonal Hiking Challenges” – these rare
experiences reduce the likelihood of being replaced. To enhance engagement, we
implement a tiered reward system featuring a “Revisit Points System” where
accumulated points can be redeemed for sports gear, exclusive courses, or
accommodation discounts. High-frequency visitors receive “Honorary Membership”
privileges including free parking and priority reservations. We strengthen
word-of-mouth incentives by encouraging social media sharing of experiences,
offering ticket rewards or collaboration opportunities to top content creators.
This creates a closed-loop mechanism: “Experience Satisfaction → Emotional
Connection → Engagement Conversion → Word-of-Mouth Spread” that boosts repeat
visitation rates.
(3) Synergistic optimization strategies of leisure sports recreation resources and retravel
willingness
To achieve synergistic optimization between resource value and visitor
retention, establishing a dynamic “demand-supply-feedback” equilibrium
mechanism is essential. Demand insight forms the foundation, requiring multi-
dimensional data collection systems. Smart turnstiles track peak hours and
popular attractions, while online reviews analyze keywords to pinpoint visitors
‘core needs. For instance, promptly adding children’s water parks becomes
crucial when family-oriented families show strong demand for aquatic
activities. Resource allocation should adopt a dual-driven strategy of
“distinctiveness + innovation,” creating themed experience clusters around core
resources. Coastal areas, for example, could develop a multi-dimensional sports
space integrating “beach sports zones + water sports areas + coastal walkways.”
Regular micro-innovations are necessary—adding 1-2 experiential projects
quarterly, such as creating trendy check-in spots along cycling routes or
introducing emerging fitness activities in gyms. Event design should maintain
continuity through serialized programs. Annual IP campaigns should leverage
resource characteristics, like forest areas implementing a seasonal activity
system: “spring tree planting, summer stream tracing, autumn camping, winter
off-road adventures,” fostering periodic anticipation. Design “progressive
challenge” programs—dividing hiking routes into beginner, intermediate, and
advanced levels with phased badges and rewards—to incentivize repeat visits
for new experiences. The integration of online and offline channels enhances
visitor engagement. Offline, we implement a “Sports Passport” check-in system
where collecting stamps from various sports can earn rewards. Online, we create
a digital twin platform that visualizes exercise patterns, showcases
achievements, and enables social sharing. A dynamic feedback mechanism ensures
monthly visitor focus group meetings and quarterly experience optimization
reports, guaranteeing resource adjustments align with enhanced revisit
intentions. This establishes a virtuous cycle where “demand drives resource
optimization, and resource innovation fuels repeat visits.”
(4) feasibility analysis and suggestions of strategy implementation
The implementation of strategies requires comprehensive consideration of
policy environments, resource conditions, and operational capabilities to
establish scientific and feasible implementation pathways. The current
feasibility support system is relatively well-established. At the policy level,
the national “Healthy China 2030” Plan Outline explicitly supports the
development of the leisure sports industry, while local governments prioritize
sports tourism as a key development area, enabling access to special subsidies
and tax incentives. In terms of resources, existing sports venues and park
green spaces provide a foundation for upgrading without requiring large-scale
new construction. Technologically, IoT and big data have been maturely applied
in tourism, creating conditions for smart transformation. Potential challenges
mainly focus on three aspects: First, significant funding pressure necessitates
diversified financing channels. It is recommended to adopt a “government
special bonds + social capital” model where the government invests in
infrastructure construction while social capital participates in commercial
operations. Second, there is a shortage of professional talent. A “recruitment
- training” mechanism should be established to attract sports management and
cultural tourism operation professionals, while collaborating with universities
for targeted training programs. Third, operational risk prevention requires
establishing emergency response plans, purchasing public liability insurance
for outdoor projects, and formulating extreme weather contingency plans. The
implementation strategy adopts a three-phase approach: pilot-testing,
promotion, and iteration. First, select 1-2 representative resources for pilot
programs to test membership systems and thematic event effectiveness. Based on
pilot experiences, optimize the plan before full-scale rollout while refining
smart management systems. Establish a dynamic iteration mechanism to assess
resource utilization efficiency and visitor satisfaction annually, with
adjustments aligned to market trends. Develop a multi-stakeholder collaboration
framework where governments provide policy guidance and oversight, enterprises
manage operations, communities participate in resource maintenance, forming a
co-governance model of “government leadership, corporate execution, community
coordination, and visitor engagement” to ensure sustainable implementation.
epilogue ：
There exists a significant positive correlation between the value of
leisure sports and recreation resources and visitors’ willingness to revisit. - Multiple dimensions including functionality, experiential quality, emotional connections, and social value collectively influence this preference.
Establishing a collaborative optimization mechanism is crucial for enhancing destination competitiveness. By improving resource functions, strengthening emotional bonds, and creating differentiated experiences, we can effectively boost both resource value and revisit intent. Moving forward, through policy - support and technological empowerment, we should continuously refine the “demand-supply-feedback” mechanism. This will drive multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve dynamic equilibrium between resource value and visitor loyalty, providing sustained momentum for sustainable development in the leisure sports and recreation industry. Ultimately, this approach will contribute to national health initiatives and the advancement of China as a
- global sports powerhouse.
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