A bivouac survival guide: Toward more efficient co-creation through tourist skills and affordances

Entering a domain of outdoor recreation is not an easy task for recreationists who need to understand its codes to be able to feel at ease and confident to navigate a new setting. This adaptation process requires skills that users might not necessarily possess. If acquiring those skills is important for existing consumers, it is even more relevant when aiming to attract non-users. Individuals who do not engage in an activity might be refrained by a lack of interest, but also a lack of financial means or the fear that they might not be skilled enough to enjoy the experience. This fear of skills' deficiency is an essential component to understand how inclusion may be improved. While researchers have identified commonplace and specialist skills at play, this study investigates whether other skills might also play a role in attracting new recreationists. This study presents the findings from an analysis of a bivouac experience in the French Alps which was specifically designed to attract local marginalised groups. It identifies the necessary range of skills and details which, combined with the relevant experience circumstances, provide affordances to improve experience readability and flow. The study also shows to which extent skills can be transferable and it resituates the place of foundations’ skills in the bigger experience realm. The study concludes with recommendations for service providers.