Local People, Nature Conservation, and Tourism in Northeastern Finland

Anne Törn,Anne Tolvanen,Jussi Rämet,Pirkko Siikamäki,Pekka Kauppila

doi:10.5751/es-02202-130108

Abstract

Törn, A., P. Siikamäki, A. Tolvanen, P. Kauppila, and J. Rämet. 2007. Local people, nature conservation, and tourism in northeastern Finland. Ecology and Society 13(1): 8. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-02202-130108

Highlights

In addition to their principal function of protecting natural environments, national parks and protected areas generally have the crucial tasks of promoting education, recreation, tourism, and the economic wealth of local communities
During 2002 and 2003, we studied the opinions of local people about nature conservation and the development of tourism to investigate whether these opinions were influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors
The responses of local inhabitants to questions about nature conservation and nature-based tourism development depended to a large extent on their socio-demographic backgrounds and values

Summary

Introduction

In addition to their principal function of protecting natural environments, national parks and protected areas generally have the crucial tasks of promoting education, recreation, tourism, and the economic wealth of local communities. When carefully planned and effectively managed, tourism can provide significant benefits to protected areas and nearby communities (Eagles et al 2002), especially to rural communities in developing countries that are strongly dependent on natural resources (Tosun 1999, 2000). 2006), the sustainable use of environmental resources for tourism is emphasized when protected areas are used as tourist destinations. According to recent guidelines from UNEP, sustainable tourism should maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity, respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, and provide socioeconomic benefits to all stakeholders (UNEP 2007). Tourism, and traditional forms of land use, e.g., reindeer herding (Helle and Särkelä 1993, Sekhar 2003), have arisen with increasing numbers of tourists (Forbes et al 2004)

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Discussion

Conclusion