The mediating effect of place attachment on the relationship between past experience and repeat visitation to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Norhafizah Ismail (2018) The mediating effect of place attachment on the relationship between past experience and repeat visitation to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

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Abstract

Repeat visitation due to positive past experience is proximity seeking behaviour explained by place attachment theory (PAT). PAT examines bonds people form with places which become ‘attachment figures’. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) is a popular destination for leisure and recreation which consists of five islands twenty minutes away from the city centre of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Due to overcrowding at TARP, an arrival quota might be implemented for visitors. This study suggests the need to consider repeat visitors in this quota and chose TARP, a marine national park as the proposed attachment figure to examine the mediating effect of place attachment on the relationship between past experience and repeat visitation. Place attachment as a multi-dimensional construct comprised of place identity, place dependance, place social bonding with the addition of a novel dimension, ‘place affect nature’ (PAN). The measurement for PAN was adapted from ecocentrism literature to illustrate the role nature plays in creating attachment. Data collection took place at various locations around Kota Kinabalu specifically targeting a sample of urbanites. In total, 569 questionnaires were analysed with a combination of SPSS version 22.0 for Mac and SMART-PLS version 3.0. This study suggests repeat visitation is based on attachment to TARP. Findings indicate that place identity, place dependence and PAN mediate the relationship between past experience and repeat visitation. Respondents’ relationship to TARP is based on its role as a place to affirm their identity, engage in outdoor activities and due to an emotional bond based on the emotional effect of being in nature. Interestingly, no mediation was found for place social bonding which indicates visits to the marine park are for intrinsic reasons, focusing on personal benefits and not social reasons. A novel aspect of this study is the sample consisted of hosts (residents), not guests (tourists), an understudied stakeholder. An original contribution of this study is to identify the three stages of PA namely ‘proximity seeking’ (repeat visitation), ‘safe haven’ (PAN), and ‘secure base’ (place identity and place dependance). The use of an adapted ecocentric measure, PAN within the place attachment construct is also a contribution. Findings suggest a national park can become an attachment figure for repeat visitors. This study suggests that park authorities need to re-consider the value of the park and its environment for urbanites ensuring they avoid the fourth stage, ‘separation distress’ due to the implementation of arrivals quota within TARP. Future research should identify user groups and their attachments to each island in TARP. Ultimately, PAT is useful to plan and protect TARP for future generations of visitors.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Keyword:	Place attachment theory, Repeat visitation, Tunku abdul rahman park, Place identity, Place dependence, Place affect nature, Ecocentrism
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV1-1860 Recreation. Leisure
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting
Depositing User:	DG MASNIAH AHMAD -
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2025 11:36
Last Modified:	07 Apr 2025 11:36
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/43359

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