combining wilderness and tourism, is it mission impossible?

Tourism in wilderness protected areas

Mission impossible?

Max A.E. Rossberg, PAN Parks Wilderness

What is PAN Parks?

PAN Parks identifies, assists in the designation, supports the management, creates awareness and lobbies to protect Europe’s wilderness, the continent’s most undisturbed areas of nature.

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The leading wilderness protection organisation in Europe.The leading wilderness protection organisation in Europe.

Fulufjället NP © Orsolya Haaberg

The Tourism industry

Understanding the tourism industry

1) One billion arrivals 20122) 1,8 billion expected by 20303) Tourism generates more revenue than most industries4) Tourism lives of innovation5) Tourism is controlled by selected few (Oligopoly)6) Tourism is capital intensive and privately controlled

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Travel habits1) Length of trip worldwide dropped to 10.4 days2) Length of trip in Austria down to 3,8 days3) More than 80% ready made all inclusive trips4) Ecotourism is a small and fragmented market5) Customer lifestyles are becoming more specialised6) LOHAS are still marginal – data suggest otherwise

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Fulufjället NP © Orsolya Haaberg

Tourism in wilderness areas

Tourism challenges of wilderness areas

1) Protected areas are often in less developed regions2) Multitude of local interests3) Often poor local infrastructure4) Government funding often the only source of capital5) Few local tourism professionals available6) Management skills are scarce – networking seldom

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Peneda-Geres NP © PGNP Archives

The saviour?

Why is tourism so interestingOften the only direct source of income (->140 euro/day)Local unemployment could be reducedPublic support for wilderness areas is increasedInvestment in infrastructure could be financedTraining of local management will be improved

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Peneda-Geres NP © PGNP Archives

Uniqueness of wilderness areas

What can a wilderness area offer?Unique landscapesUnique wilderness experiencesUnique flora and faunaUnique wildlifeUnique destinationsUnique cultural and social traditions

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What can a wilderness area NOT offer?

Guarantee of wildlife sightingsUncontrolled accessUncontrolled growth opportunityEvents specifically for touristsStop of the natural community processesTourism specific infrastructure

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ResponsibilityThe concept of a more responsible tourism emerged as a reaction to the negative impacts of mass tourism as well as a more holistic approach to the general sustainability discourse to develop environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development.

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Peneda-Geres NP © Joao Cosme

Sustainable tourism

Tourism in a wilderness areaCan invest in environmental safe infrastructureCan build public support for wilderness areasCan offer employment to localsCan distribute wealth from north to southCan build a sustainable destinationCan increase political support for wilderness areas

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Model of sustainable tourism

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Murphy & Price in Theobald 2005, p. .175

Borjomi-Kharagauli NP © Konstantin Gabrichidze

Tools to achieve the goal

Many ways to Rome

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Involve all stakeholdersDefine long term objectivesDefine how locals and the wilderness area will benefit Define the planned investmentsDefine the tourist infrastructure to guide touristsDefine the carrying capacity limitsSet up a contract to be signed by everyone

Borjomi-Kharagauli NP © Konstantin Gabrichidze

Pros and Cons

Economic ImpactsPositiveEconomic growthForeign InvestmentValue of real estateStandard of livingInfrastructureLocal products

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NegativeInflationForeign Labour and InvestmentsSpeculationWealthy and poorNeglecting other sectorsLoss of ownership

Tourism commercial ImpactsPositiveIncreased destination image improved infrastructure

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Negativeuncontrolled destination imagefacilities for tourism only – two sided coin

Environmental ImpactsPositiveEnvironmental valuesEnvironmental awarenessMaintenance of biodiversityPreservation of heritage

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NegativeDestruction of habitat and ecosystemsExceeding physical carrying capacityLoss of heritageArchitectural pollutionResource conflicts (water)Increase pollutionTraffic congestion

Social ImpactsPositiveInflux of new ideasCultural exchangeQuality of lifeIncrease local identityLocal participationImproved living conditions

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NegativeLocal knowledge less worthLoss of cultural uniquenessLoss of community valuesOvercrowdingProstitution/AlcoholChanges in community structure

Peneda-Geres NP © PGNP Archives

Tourism in PAN Parks

Mix of PartnersPAN Parks has certified 16 tour operators and more than 100 local business partners. All of them must meet a certain set of criteria. In addition PAN Parks has just launched a new Website www.wilderness-travel.org to promote tourism in protected areas.

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Quality standard for local business• Quality Standard is defined as a part of overall PAN Parks Quality Standard

• that includes the principles Wilderness Value, Management Effectiveness, Visitor Management, Sustainable tourism development strategy, Local business partner. Each principle is divided to the set of Criterions and each Criterion to the set of Indicators

• independent quality assessment / verification) and mandatory training

• Quality Standard for local business partners focus on environmental, socio-economic, communication and partnership aspects

• The aim is to show how well managed wilderness protected area/s provides a benefits to the local economy

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Quality standard for tour operators

• International tour operators (usually small or medium size) are European well known tour operators, well known for their sensitive, environmentally friendly operation

• These partners have an interest and commitment to introduce to their client a wilderness experience but simultaneously respect environmental, social-economical and ethical standards defined above.

• Manadatory training

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Soomaa NP © Arne Ader

The tourism industry

Tourism principlesTourism is an extraction oriented businessIt is not sustainableIt is often the only source of a regions incoming capital besides government subsidiesIt is based on growthIt is cost sensitive and profit orientedIt is a highly professional international business

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Polistovsky NR © Polistovsky Nature Reserve archive

Summary

Tourism can but not always helps PAs

Tourism needs to be managedTourism must meet a set of sustainability criteriaTourism must be aware of the limitations of a PATourism is best locally owned and operatedTourism strategy must involve community stakeholdersTourism should not be the only source of income

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PAN Parks works to identify, assists in the designation, supports the managment, creates awareness and lobbyies to protect Europe’s wilderness, the continent’s most undisturbed areas of nature.

www.panparks.org