순천 흑두루미 탐조여행에서의 경험적 의미에 대한 현상학적 연구

A Phenomenological Study on Lived Experiences of the Hooded Crane Birdwatching Tour in Suncheon

This study examined the experiences of participants in the “Hooded Crane Birdwatching Tour” in Suncheon, Korea, from a phenomenological perspective. Using Giorgi’s (1985) method, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine participants in 1-night, 2-day programs during February–March and November–December 2024, and the data were analyzed into meaning units, subcomponents, and components. Six key themes emerged: “motivation for participation”, “emotional engagement and immersion”, “expansion of ecological sensitivity and sustainability awareness”, “personalization and integration into daily life”, “constituent factors and operational environment shaping tour quality”, and “transformation of regional perception and social diffusion among non-local tourists”. The findings demonstrate that birdwatching tourism provides multi-sensory immersive experiences, fosters ecological awareness, encourages sustained engagement, and generates social ripple effects. This study highlights the educational, emotional, and social value of birdwatching tourism and offers practical implications for program design, interpretation strategies, and the promotion of environmental awareness, ecological conservation, and community sustainability.