Kayaking the Thousand Islands: Exploring the Effects of Paddling Recreation on Place Attachment

Abstract

This project explores some of the ways in which individuals may create a sense of place attachment through a case study of paddling recreation in the Thousand Islands. Such connections are often regarded as important influences on attitudes towards conservation and development. Tourist experience on kayaking tours was studied through participant observation and interviews with participants and key respondents in the local tourist industry in order to evaluate whether or not these short but intensely experienced trips can indeed facilitate feelings of connection to the Thousand Islands region within a relatively short period of time.