Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas

Cristiano Franceschinis,Akshay Vij,Mara Thiene,Joffre Swait

doi:10.3390/su14010412

Cristiano Franceschinis, Akshay Vij + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010412

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Abstract

Conciliating nature conservation and tourism development is an increasingly important task for authorities in charge of managing protected areas and requires an adequate knowledge of visitors′ preferences and recreational behavior. In this light, we used data collected by means of a choice experiment to investigate recreational preferences at Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, a protected area located in Northeastern Italy. More specifically, we analyzed the determinants of visitors’ decisions to engage with different activities in the park. This is important information for park managers, as different recreational activities have both different impact on the natural heritage and different capability to generate revenue for nature conservation and for enhancing the quality of life of local communities. The findings of our study suggest that the choice of recreational activities is mainly driven by the features of recreational sites and by visitors’ personal characteristics. Concerning park features, visitors’ choices seem to be mostly driven by features directly related to each activity, such as thematic trails for hiking and climbing routes for rock climbing. Among visitors′ characteristics, we found that both previous experience with the activity and socio-demographic characteristics had a significant effect on activity choice. Overall, the results of our study can help park authorities in developing management plans aimed specifically at attracting a larger number of visitors of a certain type, which is an important tool to foster the more sustainable forms of tourism.

Highlights

Protected areas provide a wide range of environmental, recreational and economic benefits to visitors and local communities
Concerning our first research question, i.e., how is activity choice affected by park features, visitors0 choices seem to be mostly driven by features directly related to each activity, such as thematic trails for hiking, climbing routes for rock climbing and water spots for horse riding
Our findings highlight how the choice of which activities to practice in protected areas is affected by both park features and visitors0 sociodemographic characteristics, as well as how the effects of such variables differ substantially across activities

Summary

Introduction

Protected areas provide a wide range of environmental, recreational and economic benefits to visitors and local communities. Tourism in protected areas allows the generation of revenues for nature conservation, and can contribute to the development of local communities [2,3]. The increasing demand for recreation opportunities and the need to conciliate such activities with nature conservation puts pressure on park authorities to develop effective sustainable management plans that can provide benefits to both natural heritage and tourism. The sustainability of tourism and recreation requires management actions that generate sufficient revenues to cover the costs of nature and biodiversity preservation while minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on such preservation [4]. Several studies [7,8] emphasize the need to understand tourists’ preferences for recreation in protected areas to develop management plans capable of balancing the dual goals of conservation and tourism development.

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