Nature as a contributor to wellbeing and future tourism: Finnish Gen Zers seeking happiness and meaning in life




Grénman, Miia; Räikkönen, Juulia; Aapio, Fanny

Konu Henna, Smith Melanie K.

PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing Ltd.

2024

A Research Agenda for Tourism and Wellbeing

Elgar Research Agendas

99

116

270

978-1-80392-433-5

978-1-80392-434-2

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4337/9781803924342.00014

https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781803924342/book-part-9781803924342-14.xml



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.



Last updated on 05/03/2026 11:18:39 AM