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This study examines the relationship between parks and adjacent communities, through a case study of Bon Echo Provincial Park and the village of Cloyne. Two objectives are identified. First is to assess the nature of the relationship between Bon Echo and the community from the perspective of local community members, using the Grounded Theory methodology. The second objective is to provide recommendations, based on the findings of the case study, using the framework of the Healthy Communities approach. These objectives are met through primary and secondary data collection. The former consists of thirty-two personal, semi-structured interviews that were conducted with community members. The latter includes a variety of documents written about the park, the village and the general area. The study finds that the park has been an important part of this area for many years. It demonstrates that three types of relationships exist between Cloyne and Bon Echo. The formal relationship is the ‘official’ relationship between the park and the community. The functional relationship describes how the community perceives and uses the park. The facilitative relationship highlights how the park facilitates (or creates) costs and benefits to the community, and how it influences sense-of-place. Finally, the study demonstrates that the community would like to see change in its relationship with the park. As such, six recommendations are provided that are in line with the Healthy Communities approach. These recommendations illustrate that the overall relationship could be improved by encouraging the park to localize their methods and practices. By localizing provincial parks and helping to develop stronger local tourism economies, both the park and the community will benefit.

Ecotourism has increased in demand and aided destination development within many destinations over the past decade. Many Germans have shown an increase of interest in nature-based tourism, and for travelling to Scandinavia. The study examined German tourist behaviour and German visitor trends to Scandinavia. Sweden has become an attractive holiday destination for many international guests including Germans. A case study of destination Ansättfjällen was conducted regarding the low awareness level by international summer tourists. An analysis of the current situation of the destination was conducted and recommendations were provided for future solutions to improve promotion to German ecotourists. Due to the fact that such research about destination Ansättfjällen was not done previously, it was necessary to primarily use qualitative research approach and using an abductive method with a tendency to an inductive manner. Based on the tourism attractiveness, various aspects of destination development had to be examined. One of the final conclusions of the study was the need to do further research about this destination, due to being at development stage of the Butler’s Model and improve stakeholder collaboration within the destination locally and regionally.

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Climate and weather have a major influence over seasonality in nature-based tourism by determining the availability and quality of certain outdoor recreational activities (Butler, 2001). Climate and weather act as central motivators involved in the travel decisions of tourists (Mintel International Group, 1991; Kozak, 2002). Climate as an attraction is also an integral component considered in destination choice among tourists (Lohmann and Kaim, 1999; Hamilton and Lau, 2005; Gössling et al. 2006). Due to the relationship between climate, weather and outdoor recreation, climate change is expected to have a direct impact on park visitation and camper decision-making (Jones and Scott, 2006a; 2006b). This study contributes to the understanding of weather sensitivity for different tourism segments across varying climate zones world-wide which can contribute to more informed park tourism planning and climate change adaptation in Ontario. Using a survey-based approach, this study identified and compared the stated weather preferences and weather related decision-making of campers from two different provincial parks in Ontario. The two provincial parks selected as case studies, based on differing park characteristics and perceived climatic requirements, were Pinery and Grundy Lake. Statistically significant differences (at the 95 percent confidence level) were observed in stated weather preferences and weather related decision-making, based on differences in respondent characteristics. Most notably, activity participation, length of planned stay and age of the respondent had the most significant and widespread effect on weather preferences and camper decision-making. Temperature preferences between the two parks were strikingly similar. However, differences in weather related decision-making were statistically significant showing campers at Pinery to be more sensitive to weather than those at Grundy Lake. Overall, parks that are more beach-oriented, closer to tourism generating areas and are characterised by visitors with shorter than average lengths of stay, are likely to be the most sensitive to weather variability. As such, it will be most important for parks that rely on similar tourism generating markets and share similar park characteristics as Pinery, to place a greater planning emphasis on climate change adaptation, as these parks are likely to be most affected by the impact of climate change on park visitation in Ontario. Climatic warming was not perceived by campers as a major threat to park visitation in Ontario. Instead, heavy rain, strong winds and unacceptably cool temperatures were the most influential weather variables in relation to camper decision-making. In response to the perceived threat of heavy rain and strong winds to camping in Ontario, and in association with projected increases pertaining to the frequency and intensity of these weather events under climate change, a number of recommendations have been made, which could be implemented by Ontario Parks in an effort to reduce camper vulnerability to extreme weather and improve overall trip satisfaction.

abstract: This study explores domestic and international tourists' perceptions of nature-based tourism using the North-South conceptualization of nature and the setting up of national parks as a conceptual framework. In addition, using Urry's (1990) tourist gaze, the study assesses tourism promotions in Botswana from locals' and tourism marketers' points of view. Moreover, the study assesses locals' tourist gaze and compares it with the international tourist gaze. Qualitative methods were used to collect data, including in-depth interviews with local residents, international tourists, and tourism promoters such as government agencies and the private sector. Photo-elicitation interviews were also carried out to help identify the respondents' gaze. Six study sites, including the protected areas of Chobe National Park (CNP), Moremi Game Reserve (MGR), two cities of Gaborone and Francistown, and two urban villages of Palapye and Maun were selected for this study. Results indicate that the way people in the South conceptualize nature is different from the way international tourists do, and this has an impact on visitations to national parks. While for international tourists nature symbolizes recreation, rejuvenation, and an opportunity `to get away from it all', for locals it is seen as a part of everyday life. Furthermore, tourism promotions in the country are geared towards promoting Western tourists' gaze with the local market gaze being totally ignored by the sector. The local gaze is also different from the Western gaze. While for international tourists visiting Botswana the gaze is directed towards wildlife and wilderness, for locals, the gaze is directed towards more traditional destinations, such as farms, as well as more `modern' attractions and `touristic' attractions. However, it is the Western gaze that is taken into consideration by tourism promoters, thereby questioning the sustainability of an industry that disregards one group over another. The results also indicate that culture and historical events have an impact on visitations to protected areas. Policy implications are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Community Resources and Development 2014

Abstract Nature-based tourism has increased considerably during recent years, which has raised questions about the tolerance of ecosystems experiencing growing visitor numbers. The present thesis focuses on the ecological and social sustainability of nature-based tourism in protected areas and their surroundings. The objective of the ecological studies was to determine the effects of tourism on vegetation, soils and risk of introduction of alien plant species. The social survey investigated whether opinions concerning nature conservation and tourism by local people are dependent on socio-economic and demographic factors. The studies were carried out in Oulanka and Pallas-Ounastunturi National Parks, and in the Ruka and Syöte regions, in northern Finland. This research demonstrated that nature-based tourism (hiking, horse-riding and skiing) affected boreal forests, altering vegetation, soils and trail networks. The major effects were; reduction in vegetation cover, including of different life-forms, changes in plant species composition, soil chemistry and soil erosion. Trampling decreased plant cover more on slopes compared to flat terrain. Moreover, downward trampling reduced the plant cover more than did upward trampling. In addition, horse riding resulted in the introduction and establishment of a range of alien plant species. In general, ecological changes due to nature-based tourism were inevitable even when there were limited numbers of visitors. Respondents to the survey were classified into three groups according to their opinions concerning nature conservation and tourism development: (i) supporters of nature conservation, (ii) critical to nature conservation and (iii) critical to tourism development. The majority of respondents were supporters of nature conservation. However, opinions were strongly dependent on the socio-demographic background of the respondents, such as residential area, age, level of education and indigenousness. Since the impacts of tourism were dependent on the characteristics of plants and habitats and the quality of activities, case-specific planning, monitoring and rapid responses are the most efficient methods in avoiding irreversible environmental damages. Furthermore, close co-operation between different stakeholders and detailed scientific information about the ecological, economic and social elements of sustainability are needed to promote a sustainable development of nature-based tourism.

The tourism industry is one of the most thriving industries in the world and nature-based tourism is one of the most expanding sectors in the European tourism industry. However, destinations today have global substitutes which means a destination can easily be exchanged for another destination. Thus, destination market organizations have become a critical component in the tourism industry. While there is a growing interest for nature-based destinations due to international tourism and a growing awareness of environmental issues there is still a need to create a differentiation from the global competition. By setting up strategic plans and continuously market a destination, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) can attract tourist from distant markets. Therefore, the purpose with this report is to examine strategies that DMOs use when it comes to attract tourists to nature-based destinations. With the aim to fulfill the purpose of this study one research question of descriptive and exploratory kind were stated: “What strategies are DMOs using to attract tourists to nature-based destinations?”.   A theoretical framework was conducted by reviewing scholarly journals which generated potential answers for the stated research question. Furthermore, the frame of reference provided the study with a theoretical foundation which was applied during the data collection as well as the data analysis. Methodologically, this study had a qualitative approach and was therefore collecting data through semi-structured and in-depth interviews with employees of different DMOs. The findings and conclusions show that the practical work done by a nature-based DMOs in a high degree follows existing previous research. Where the importance of having a clear market position, being able to segment an audience, as well as promote an appropriate message is of high concern for a DMO. Hence, it helps them to attract tourist to a nature-based destination.

Seasonality in tourism has been present in the literature for decades. It is a universally phenomenon connected to climate and institutional factors which contributes to an imbalance in demand. It can be expressed through numbers of tourists, bed nights and expenditure. Seasonality is most obvious in peripheral destinations and it has generally been described as an issue that needs to be solved. Previous studies have put much attention on macro levels which includes how destinations could mitigate seasonality and create all-year around tourism. This study examines seasonality at a micro level by using Gotland as a case. The aim of the study was to explore perspective of Gotlandic nature-based tourism companies on seasonality, all in order to increase the understanding on seasonality aspects in tourism. The data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with nature-based companies on Gotland. The results of the study indicate that lifestyle motives are strong for running a nature-based company on Gotland and the short, intense summer-season make it possible. Seasonality is therefore not considered as an issue that needs to be urgently solved. Other themes related to sustainable destination development such as carrying capacity, employment, possibilities of growth and regional strategies are also being deeply discussed in this study.

Rural areas face issues that leads to economic downturns. Nature based tourism is practiced to overcome these issues and improve economic development. The residents in the tourism destinations experience the outcomes of nature-based tourism and rural development. Their perception towards nature-based tourism depends on the outcomes they experience. Recognizing their perceptions aid the smooth operation of nature-based tourism. Moreover, residents’ contribution is impacted by their perception. Three research questions were developed to recognize the residents’ perceptions. The questions were perception of residents, expectations of residents and delivery of those expectations. Social exchange theory was the main theory used and economical, socio cultural and environmental aspects were the main focus. The research was conducted as a quantitative study. 66 responses were collected as the sample from Granö, a rural tourism destination in Northern Sweden. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The results showed that residents perceive and expect nature-based tourism to develop economy, develop socio culture and protect environment. Further residents perceive and expect tourism aids to make people stay, rather than move out from the destination. In addition, the level of expectations was higher than their perception, but the delivery of those expectations was lower than both expectations and perceptions. The findings contribute tourism planners to cater the perceptions and expectations of the residents of a rural destination. Consideration of residents’ perceptions and expectations will make them feel their voices being heard and enhance smooth operation of tourism in the destination.