From check-ins to advancement: exploring motivation for recreation specialization in mountaineering sport tourism among Chinese generation Z

Mountaineering has evolved into mainstream forms of sports tourism, embraced by Generation Z, who seek meaningful experiences, self-expression, and social connection. This study examines the factors influencing the recreation specialisation intentions of Generation Z mountaineers. Guided by self-determination theory, a mixed-methods design was employed. Semi-structured interviews with 9 participants identified six motivational drivers: relatedness, recognition feedback, informational support, competence, autonomy, and flow experience. A subsequent survey of 456 respondents, analyzed through PLS-SEM, confirmed that each factor positively predicts specialisation intentions, with autonomy exerting the strongest effect. These results illustrate how social interaction factors and personal fulfilment factors contribute to recreation specialisation in mountaineering. The study advances the understanding of recreation specialisation of Generation Z by investigating social and psychological determinants, thereby extending the application of self-determination theory to sports tourism. The findings also offer practical implications for destination managers, mountaineering organisations, and outdoor equipment brands.