Fascinating Remoteness: The Dilemma of Hiking Tourism Development in Peripheral Mountain Areas

Boller, Florian; Hunziker, Marcel; Conedera, Marco; Elsässer, H.; Krebs, Patrik

doi:10.1659/mrd-journal-d-10-00018.1

Cited by 39 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Consumption patterns also tend to be concentrated in the two most developed areas of Maggiore and Lugano, resulting in fewer than half of the activities located in Bellinzona and Mendrisiotto being visited. It is important to note that the north part of Bellinzona region is more remote and mountainous, appealing mostly to hikers looking for a more strenuous activity (Boller, Hunziker, Conedera, Elsasser, & Krebs, 2010).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysing intra-destination movements and activity participation of tourists through destination card consumption

Zoltan

McKercher

2014

Tourism Geographies

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This study investigates tourist behaviour in the Canton of Ticino Switzerland, a geographically dispersed destination, by analysing use patterns of a 'destination card' sold by the local destination management organization. Destination cards offer free or highly discounted entry into partner attractions and activities often coupled with free public transport access in the area. Within this context, the study sought to determine if evidence of concentrated behaviour existed, either spatially or by activity. Cluster analysis revealed four discrete market segments. Three of them showed a high degree of spatial concentration in their movements, augmented by some clearly defined activity preferences. The fourth showed no clear pattern, travelling widely throughout the Canton and sampling a range of activities. Hence, the combination of transport and attractions' entrance appeals to two different user groups, one looking to gain access to attractions and one seeking ease of transport. Discriminant analysis further supported the results with defining the determinant variables of the cluster membership and confirmed that the point of sales has an important role in identifying the consumption of activities and the extension of the area visited. Thus, to conceptualize the decision process in an intra-destination level, the spatial structure of the destination seems to play a greater influence on behaviour than its product structure. The paper illustrates how analysis of destination card data can assist destinations in better understanding their markets and discusses potential research opportunities that can generate real marketing benefits. A number of recommendations especially for destination managers and tourism operators are also identified to enhance the information gathered. Product bundling, regional cooperation and strategic marketing opportunities at sales points are suggested in this context to further incentivize tourist mobility.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysing intra-destination movements and activity participation of tourists through destination card consumption

Zoltan

McKercher

2014

Tourism Geographies

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“…When applying the ROS, the landscapes can, e.g., be zoned in primitive, semi-primitive non-motorized, semi-primitive motorized, rustic, concentrated, and modern urbanized classes [26]. Two elements are particularly important in determining ROS classes: remoteness (e.g., large undisturbed areas far away from infrastructure in the primitive end of the spectrum) and degree of naturalness (evidence of human activity) [23]. A third element is social experience, and the possibilities to experience solitude, authentic nature, challenge, and self-reliance, often associated by a wilderness experience [24,33].…”

Section: Recreation Along the Infrastructure Continuummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Roads, marked trails, campsites and bridges will attract and concentrate visitors in particular areas. Such infrastructure can, however, negatively impact those who are seeking more undisturbed experiences due to factors like solitude, remoteness and isolation in wilderness areas [23,24]. One way to overcome the diverging and even conflicting needs and preferences for infrastructure among forest visitors is to differentiate the recreational area planning and management [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Opinions and Use of Various Types of Recreational Infrastructure in Boreal Forest Settings

Gundersen

Vistad

2016

Forests

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Abstract:We have investigated public preferences for use intensity and visual quality of forest recreational infrastructure. Forest infrastructure covers five classes, along a continuum from unmarked paths to paved walkways. Altogether, 39 sites were categorized into the five classes and measured with automatic counters. A sample of 545 respondents living in southeastern and middle Norway were asked to rate 15 forest scenes and 35 preconceptions of recreational settings. The path scenarios were depicted as digitally calibrated photos that systematically displayed physical path feature in boreal, semi-natural settings. Survey participants showed a clearly greater preference for photos and preconceptions of forests settings containing minor elements of forest infrastructure; unmarked paths received the highest score and forest roads/walkways/bikeways the lowest. We identified a clear mismatch between public preferences for forest infrastructure and the intensity of use; the less appreciated infrastructure was the most used. Planning and management has to consider these different needs for recreational infrastructure, and we propose an area zoning system that meets the different segments of forest visitors.

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“…Some of the most frequently researched aspects are those related with the role played by hiking in the sustainable development and dynamization of rural territories [18], the environmental impact of the use of hiking paths on for example the terrain, the vegetation or the fauna [38,39], the conflicts that may arise between hiking and other activities as a consequence of the use of paths which are typically multifunctional [40,41], the behavior of hikers or the reasons why tourists choose hiking as a vacation activity [42][43][44][45]. Other interesting themes include the management of hiking paths [46][47][48][49] and theoretical and conceptual reflections regarding the different types of paths [50,51]. There are relatively few studies on the gradual development of hiking as a leisure and recreational activity that can promote development in the territory [1,2,11] and almost none at all that analyze the factors behind this process.…”

Section: Objectives and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Hiking Tourism in Spain: Origins, Issues and Transformations

Gómez-Martín

2019

Sustainability

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In Spain, hiking is an activity that involves following paths, which may or may not be signposted, on foot, for sporting and cultural purposes. In the country as a whole, although with important regional variations, hiking has traditionally been linked to mountaineering and rambling clubs. However, at the beginning of the 1990s this activity became much more widely popular, reaching beyond the more limited sphere within which the pioneers of hiking in Spain had acted. Hiking stopped being just a sporting and cultural activity and also became a form of tourism and leisure, coinciding with the emergence and consolidation of what have become known as alternative forms of tourism. In this context of change, hiking tourism has gradually evolved over the years into a strategic option for development in many territories. This article presents the most important aspects of this transformation: the changes in the territorial model for the management of the paths on which the creation of hiking tourism products is based; the fact that in the design of routes more consideration is being given to the differential characteristics of tourist demand for hiking; the adaptation of the accommodation, restaurant facilities and the main specific services associated with it; and the emergence and engagement of new stakeholders in the processes of planning, distribution and communication of this activity.

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Fascinating Remoteness: The Dilemma of Hiking Tourism Development in Peripheral Mountain Areas

Cited by 39 publications

References 25 publications

Analysing intra-destination movements and activity participation of tourists through destination card consumption

Analysing intra-destination movements and activity participation of tourists through destination card consumption

Public Opinions and Use of Various Types of Recreational Infrastructure in Boreal Forest Settings

Hiking Tourism in Spain: Origins, Issues and Transformations

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