This exploratory qualitative study examines the impacts of soundwalks – guided walks that foreground attentive listening to natural environments – on the tourism experiences of people with visual impairments in Damyang, South Korea. Grounded in Sensory Compensation Theory and Embodiment Theory, we conducted in-depth interviews with 10 purposively recruited participants, supplemented by non-participant observation during the soundwalk sessions; interviewing continued until thematic saturation was observed, and interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Participants used natural soundscapes and optional assistive technologies to build mental imagery and environmental awareness. Interpersonal dynamics mattered: guide interpretation and peer exchange helped participants connect auditory and tactile cues to situated decisions, which we interpret as emergent cue-to-action moments that may support autonomy and competence. In this exploratory context, these moments are treated analytically as Self-Orientation Episodes (SOEs). However, prolonged narration sometimes constrained participant-led exploration, and some participants experienced sensory overload. For practice, we recommend alternating brief interpretation with planned silent intervals, offering opt-in technology choices so participants can regulate sensory intensity, and providing a short safety-and-orientation briefing that supports independent exploration. The study shows how sensory-inclusive program design can move nature tourism beyond visual-centrism.
Park et al. (Sun,) studied this question.