Hiking Trails and Social Media: Landscapes and User Experiences in Taiwan
This presentation examines how social media mediate hiking and trail practices in Taiwan. Using qualitative research, it explores digital representations of hiking, hikers’ everyday media use, and how online content shapes expectations, meanings, and embodied experiences.
Chunyen Chang, Professor, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National Chi Nan University
Who is Taking Responsibility for Messaging in a Changing World?
Visitation to wild places and trails has increased exponentially since the pandemic, bringing existing and new cohorts to previously quiet landscapes. These increases present land managers, visitors and other stakeholders with myriad well-documented challenges, yet the ways we communicate safety and sustainability messaging have stagnated. Previous users trusted gov messaging; new audiences follow social media. We will explore techniques used by influencers #LostMTNS and ask whether land managers should adopt such strategies—even if it means flirting with the enemy.
Caro Ryan, Outdoor Advocate and LandSAR Volunteer, LotsaFreshAir
Tracking Changes: What 100 issues of The Bibbulmun News can tell us about Trail Stewardship
Using the rich archival records offered by 30+ years and 100 issues of “The Bibbulmun News”, this session explores how stewardship of one of Australia’s great long-distance trails has and continues to evolve, and how communication vehicles shape collective memory and build culture and capability.
Su-Mita Hill, CEO, Bibbulmun Track Foundation
Opportunities and Challenges for the South West Coast Path following The Salt Path Film
A case study in cultural tourism, crisis response in a polarised world amplified by traditional and social media frenzy, and strategic communications within the trail sector, demonstrating how a trail management organisation adapted to both extraordinary opportunity and unforeseen challenge.
Aletha Mays, Head of Communications, South West Coast Path Association
