<![CDATA[The post-pandemic tourism industry shows a shift in tourist preferences from mass tourism toward nature-based special interest tourism. This study analyzes millennial tourists’ perceptions of hiking as a form of special interest tourism and identifies the factors shaping these perceptions using the push and pull factors framework. A qualitative descriptive approach with a literature review method was employed. Data were collected through systematic searches of academic databases (Google Scholar, Sinta, and Scopus) using keywords related to hiking, special interest tourism, and millennial tourist perception. Of 86 articles identified, 40 met the inclusion criteria (published 2023–2026, relevant to the topic, and indexed or accredited) and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results show that millennial tourists’ perceptions of hiking are highly positive; the activity is viewed not merely as an extreme sport but as a means of identity construction, mental health balancing (digital detox), and social existence fulfillment in digital space. Dominant push factors include escape and relaxation, self-discovery, and physical challenge, while pull factors are dominated by scenic beauty, instagrammability, and accessibility. The study recommends that destination managers design digital content-based marketing strategies without neglecting sustainability and climbing safety principles. ]]>
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