The objective of the present study is to analyze whether there is a difference in visit experience that is based on scenic site types and to identify the influence factors of satisfaction with scenic site visits. In doing so, this study aims to provid...
The objective of the present study is to analyze whether there is a difference in visit experience that is based on scenic site types and to identify the influence factors of satisfaction with scenic site visits. In doing so, this study aims to provide policy-related implications for improving the scenic site categorization process with utilization in mind and for improving scenic site visitors’ experience and satisfaction levels. To this end, the study selected five representative scenic sites by scenic site type, categorized them based on the assumption that the scenic sites will be utilized as government- designated cultural assets, and conducted a survey among the visitors at the target sites. Through the survey, 654 samples were collected and used for ANOVA and regression analysis. Analysis results showed that scenic site visitors were found to travel by car about two hours on average and that approximately half of the visitors visit a scenic site without knowing its designation status. A similar trend was manifested in all scenic site types. The results of analyzing visitor experience in scenic sites showed that most visitors frequently experience the aesthetic and escapism of scenic sites while their education experience and the entertainment experience were relatively low. In addition, there was a minor discrepancy between the characteristics of scenic site type and the visitors’ actual experience; it is speculated that such a tendency arises because the current conditions and policy for utilizing scenic sites fail to fully reflect the characteristics of the resources that each scenic site has. The result of analyzing the influence factors on scenic site visit satisfaction showed that visitors’ experience levels had a stronger impact on visit satisfaction than visitors’ individual characteristics or user behavior characteristics did. In conclusion, the findings of the present study have the following implications: In order to eliminate the discrepancy between the characteristics of scenic site type and the actual experience of visitors, it is necessary to establish utilization strategies based on scenic site types; in order to improve scenic site visitors’ satisfaction levels, it is crucial to promote a scenic site utilization policy that focuses on visitor experience.