Visitors' perception of physical environment and its effect on revisit intention: A case study of Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The environment that parks are situated in has become a major factor that visitors look out for before choosing a particular park for leisure activity. This study assessed the relationship between visitors’ perception about the physical environment and their revisit intention towards Pleasure Park, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data was collected through the use of a structured questionnaire from two hundred and six (206) visitors using a non-probability sampling method (convenience sampling technique). Analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential (correlation) statistics. The result showed that visitors had a positive perception about the physical environment of Pleasure Park. This was reflected in their revisit intention, where a significant positive relationship existed between all the variables used to measure the physical environment and their revisit intention: ambience (r = 0.48, p = 0.00), special layout (r = 0.60, p = 0.00), signs and symbols (r = 0.45, p = 0.00), facility aesthetics (r = 0.51, p = 0.00), and cleanliness aesthetics (r = 0.47, p = 0.00). This study concludes that the attributes of the physical environment are a predicting factor for visitors’ revisit intention at the park. Hence, it is important that the management of the park should focus on maintaining the layout and aesthetics of the park in order to encourage more repeat visitations by visitors.