An exploration of the link between intrinsic and spiritual values for Nature: A comparison of the general public and tourists

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a survey to measure both intrinsic and spiritual values for nature and to explore the relationship between them. Two samples (nature-based tourists and general public) were used and their responses to eleven value statements were compared. The two samples held significantly different intrinsic values but equivalent spiritual values. When the samples were regrouped by clustering, three clusters held the values with significantly different strengths. The correlations between the values were also different: one cluster showed a significant positive correlation and the other two were negative and non significant. The results indicate that for some people, spirituality may lie in a different conceptual domain to intrinsic value. Educational levels appeared to be a related factor in the differences between both samples and clusters.