Measuring the Significance of Multi-use Outdoor Recreation Resources: A Comparative Analysis of Three Sites in New Zealand

Abstract

When recreation researchers are asked to identify the significance of a recreational resource they face the difficult task of assembling a wide range of data to guide what is inevitably a partly subjective assessment. Where that assessment influences planning decisions about resource development, the judgement as to whether a resource is, for example, ‘nationally’ or ‘regionally’ significant may be contentious and should be clearly justified. This paper reviews the findings of three visitor surveys in New Zealand, on the Hurunui River, Waitaki River and the Port Hills near Christchurch, and the use of a ‘visitor profiling’ exercise designed to assist in the assessment of resource significance. The ‘visitor profiles’ of each resource are compared using five indicators: loyalty, total loyalty, frequency, localness and alternatives. By helping to create an accessible image of the ‘average’ recreational visitor for a particular activity, the profiles have proved useful in assisting assessments of significance.