Hiking in China: A fuzzy model of satisfaction

As China's domestic tourism develops, so too many recreational activities are emerging as tourism products. One of these is hiking and a substantial investment in trail development by the Chinese State commenced in 2014. Based on the Beard and Ragheb Leisure Satisfaction Scale and combined with measures of the characteristics of hiking, this paper constructs an evaluation index of hiking leisure satisfaction with data derived from 579 respondents undertaking hiking on trails developed in Ningbo, China. The study also uses fuzzy modeling to identify the importance of attributes of hiking that may determine satisfaction to better assess ways by which the hiker experience could be enhanced. The results show that: (1) the provision of hiking opportunities is much appreciated by respondents; and (2) it is suggested that a programme of hiking and leisure education, skill enhancement and improving the planning and design of walking trails would further increase hiker satisfaction.