Motivations for Traveling to Nature-Based Tourism Destinations: Insights From Social Media Analytics on the Great Smoky Mountains

Despite extensive research on tourist motivations, limited attention has been given to distinguishing intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in nature-based tourism (NBT). Understanding these distinctions is essential for capturing the complex ways individuals engage with NBT destinations. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examines intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivations for visiting NBT destinations using social media analytics. Online reviews from the most visited U.S. national park, the Great Smoky Mountains, were collected from Google Maps. Structural Topic Modeling and content analysis revealed 30 key topics reflecting tourists’ motivations, including destination aesthetics, family-friendly settings, favorite places, unique experiences, and subjective well-being. These topics were classified into 10 intrinsic motivations, 15 extrinsic motivations, and four amotivations. The findings extend NBT literature by offering a nuanced understanding of motivational drivers and providing actionable implications for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) seeking to enhance visitor experiences and foster sustainable tourism practices.