Health and Well-Being in Protected Natural Areas-Visitors' Satisfaction in Three Different Protected Natural Area Categories in Catalonia, Spain.

Protected natural areas (PNAs) can be a source of health and well-being, but little research has been carried out regarding outcomes in terms of satisfaction (the difference between motivations and benefits). Inspired by previous research that examines the motivations and benefits perceived by visitors to various PNAs in Canada, and based on importance-performance analysis (IPA) and service quality gap (GAP) analysis theory, the aim of this study was to identify the outcomes generated by protected areas in terms of satisfaction, especially with regard to the PNAs' individual protection categories. The study was based on survey data from visitors ( = 360) to three PNAs in Catalonia: one national park, one natural park and one periurban park.