Applying the Tourism Opportunity Spectrum model in nature-based tourism management

Abstract

Frontcountry outdoor recreation areas are often important nature-based tourism destinations. Managers of those areas face more challenges than their colleagues in the backcountry areas. The objective of this research was to apply the Tourism Opportunity Spectrum (TOS) model to nature-based tourism management in frontcountry surroundings. This research is based on an onsite survey of 2034 users of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in North Florida, USA. The Timucuan Preserve includes national park service areas, state parks, and city parks and is heavily used by tourists and resident users. A series of logistic regression models were employed to identify the main differences between tourists and resident users. Based on the TOS model and findings from the survey, a conceptual model of collaborated management in frontcountry settings was proposed and discussed.