Title: Geocachers' creative experiences along coastal road in Finland

Authors: Pirita Ihamäki

Addresses: Degree Program Cultural Production and Landscape Studies, University of Turku, Siltapuistokatu 2, 28100, Pori, Finland

Abstract: Recent developments in information and positioning technologies, increasingly more available on portable devices, offer new opportunities not only for tracking tourist movements but also for interactive description and development of experiences. Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt game that requires technological devices to play. Geocaches can be found anywhere, from distant mountains and parks to the urban environment, which is why it is also well suited for travelling. This paper reflects how geocachers utilise their hobby in collecting creative experiences when travelling. The paper looks at geocaching from a perspective of creative tourism experience. The goals of this research are (1) to understand users' creative experiences when engaging in geocaching and (2) to examine how users' creative experience of geocaching applies to adventure tourism solutions. The conclusion presents geocachers' creative experiences along Coastal Road in Finland and shares new ideas to develop geocaching games for adventure tourism solutions.

Keywords: adventure tourism; geocaching games; creative tourism; creative experiences; geocachers; coastal roads; Finland; GPS; global positioning systems; positioning technologies; portable devices; tracking; tourist movements; interactive descriptions; worldwide games; treasure hunts; technological devices; geocaches; travelling; travel; internet; world wide web; leisure marketing; tourism marketing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLTM.2013.052635

International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 2013 Vol.3 No.3, pp.282 - 299

Published online: 14 Mar 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article