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Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Cristiano Franceschinis

    (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Joffre Swait

    (Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus Choice Modelling Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Akshay Vij

    (Institute for Choice, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Mara Thiene

    (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristiano Franceschinis & Joffre Swait & Akshay Vij & Mara Thiene, 2021. "Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:412-:d:715447
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Diana E. Dumitras & Iulia C. Muresan & Ionel M. Jitea & Valentin C. Mihai & Simona E. Balazs & Tiberiu Iancu, 2017. "Assessing Tourists’ Preferences for Recreational Trips in National and Natural Parks as a Premise for Long-Term Sustainable Management Plans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Juutinen, Artti & Kosenius, Anna-Kaisa & Ovaskainen, Ville, 2014. "Estimating the benefits of recreation-oriented management in state-owned commercial forests in Finland: A choice experiment," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 396-412.
    4. Sørensen, Flemming & Grindsted, Thomas Skou, 2021. "Sustainability approaches and nature tourism development," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
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