Connecting Recreational Service to Visitor’s Well-Being: A Case Study in Qianjiangyuan National Park

Abstract

Natural ecosystems provide service value to people in the region; especially in some nature reserves and national parks, the ecosystem recreational service function is more significant. It is worth paying attention to whether the recreational service function of this ecosystem can serve tourists outside the region and improve their well-being. Taking Qianjiangyuan National Park in China as the research site, based on the Spatially Explicit Ecosystem Services Comprehensive Assessment Model (ESTIMAP), we used the ecosystem services mapping tool to propose a comprehensive assessment framework for ecosystem recreational services and to explore the relationship between recreational services and the well-being of tourists. As a result, we identified the spatial distribution of the supply and demand flow paths of ecosystem recreational services and estimated that the actual flow of ecosystem recreational services was about 12.1 persons/km2 per year. In terms of personal well-being, ecosystem recreational services have a significant positive impact on tourists’ well-being. The service value is concentrated in amusement places and recreational activities, and dynamic recreational activities have a greater impact on tourists. The research results suggest that to improve the well-being of tourists and the value of ecosystem recreational services, national parks and nature reserves should improve accessibility and the participation of tourists in recreational activities.