A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Nature as a contributor to wellbeing and future tourism: Finnish Gen Zers seeking happiness and meaning in life
Authors: Grénman Miia, Räikkönen Juulia, Aapio Fanny
Editors: Konu Henna, Smith Melanie K.
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Publication year: 2024
Book title : A Research Agenda for Tourism and Wellbeing
Series title: Elgar Research Agendas
First page : 99
Last page: 116
Number of pages: 270
ISBN: 978-1-80392-433-5
eISBN: 978-1-80392-434-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803924342.00014(external)
Web address : https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781803924342/book-part-9781803924342-14.xml(external)
This chapter discusses how nature can contribute to wellbeing and future tourism by drawing on philosophical and psychological understandings of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing and nature relatedness among Gen Zers in Finland, the 'happiest country in the world'. Based on a survey of Finnish students (n = 68), Gen Zers interpret happiness and meaning in life somewhat similarly. However, happiness was more related to positive affect and enjoyable activities, while meaning in life was more related to self-realisation. Gen Zers have a strong sense of nature connectedness, which increased even more due to COVID-19. Nature is considered an essential part of Gen Zers' self-identification and Finnish identity. The chapter draws a research and development agenda for future tourism and wellbeing, highlighting the need to understand how Gen Zers' lifestyles and sustainability ethos will help transform the global tourism industry towards more meaningful, transformational, and eudaimonic tourist experiences.