Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100999
Parisa Setoodegan, Lusine Margaryan, Robert Pettersson
This article explores the role of domestic tourism, specifically outdoor recreational sports and events, in fostering immigrant integration, with a focus on Jämtland County in northern Sweden. While friluftsliv (outdoor recreation) holds a central place in Swedish leisure and domestic tourism culture, immigrants are often underrepresented in such activities. Rather than framing this solely as a matter of cultural difference, we investigate how immigrants perceive outdoor engagement, the barriers they encounter, and how social connections shaped through social capital can offer empowering, integrative experiences. The study draws on in-depth interviews with thirty-four immigrants, adding new knowledge to how outdoor recreation intersects with social capital, social sustainability, and integration. Our analysis highlights three key themes: belonging to outdoors, barriers to participation, and the role of sports and events in shaping social connections. We argue that outdoor engagement can support integration and enhance social sustainability, offering insights into both theory and inclusive practice in domestic tourism and recreation planning.
{"title":"“The real life is to be with other people”: A social lens on immigrant integration through outdoor recreation","authors":"Parisa Setoodegan, Lusine Margaryan, Robert Pettersson","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article explores the role of domestic tourism, specifically outdoor recreational sports and events, in fostering immigrant integration, with a focus on Jämtland County in northern Sweden. While <em>friluftsliv</em> (outdoor recreation) holds a central place in Swedish leisure and domestic tourism culture, immigrants are often underrepresented in such activities. Rather than framing this solely as a matter of cultural difference, we investigate how immigrants perceive outdoor engagement, the barriers they encounter, and how social connections shaped through social capital can offer empowering, integrative experiences. The study draws on in-depth interviews with thirty-four immigrants, adding new knowledge to how outdoor recreation intersects with social capital, social sustainability, and integration. Our analysis highlights three key themes: belonging to outdoors, barriers to participation, and the role of sports and events in shaping social connections. We argue that outdoor engagement can support integration and enhance social sustainability, offering insights into both theory and inclusive practice in domestic tourism and recreation planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100999"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100988
Piia Jaksi, Ly Härm-Kask, Tiit Hallikma, Lauri Laanisto
Recreational use of natural areas is increasing, yet its long-term ecological effects on vegetation remain poorly understood at broader spatial and habitat scales. This study examines how nature trail use influences plant diversity, composition, and structure across forests, wetlands, and grasslands in Estonia. We surveyed 32 trails across the country, encompassing 92 transects and 361 quadrats, and analyzed vegetation changes relative to visitor load and distance from trails. Plant species richness displayed a significant overall decline with increasing visitor numbers in quadrat, transect and trail scales, but that pattern was driven by forest habitats. Grasslands showed a significant increase in richness, while visitor' load did not affect plant diversity in wetlands. Vegetation height increased with distance from trail, suggesting structural recovery already 5 m away from the disturbance zone. Trail edges in forest habitats were dominated by generalist and grassland species, with protected and specialist species more prevalent further from the trail, indicating a long-term compositional shift. These patterns reflect the effects of both direct trampling and indirect, longer-term ecological impacts. Our findings demonstrate habitat-specificity in responses: forests and wetlands are more vulnerable to visitor's load, whereas grasslands may tolerate or even benefit from moderate disturbance, as grasslands in Estonia are semi-natural habitats. Wetland vegetation sustain high visitor's load probably only due to proper infrastructure on nature trails. These findings advance our understanding of recreation-driven vegetation change and support more targeted conservation planning.
{"title":"Footpaths and Flora: The toll of visitors on vegetation in Estonian nature trails","authors":"Piia Jaksi, Ly Härm-Kask, Tiit Hallikma, Lauri Laanisto","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recreational use of natural areas is increasing, yet its long-term ecological effects on vegetation remain poorly understood at broader spatial and habitat scales. This study examines how nature trail use influences plant diversity, composition, and structure across forests, wetlands, and grasslands in Estonia. We surveyed 32 trails across the country, encompassing 92 transects and 361 quadrats, and analyzed vegetation changes relative to visitor load and distance from trails. Plant species richness displayed a significant overall decline with increasing visitor numbers in quadrat, transect and trail scales, but that pattern was driven by forest habitats. Grasslands showed a significant increase in richness, while visitor' load did not affect plant diversity in wetlands. Vegetation height increased with distance from trail, suggesting structural recovery already 5 m away from the disturbance zone. Trail edges in forest habitats were dominated by generalist and grassland species, with protected and specialist species more prevalent further from the trail, indicating a long-term compositional shift. These patterns reflect the effects of both direct trampling and indirect, longer-term ecological impacts. Our findings demonstrate habitat-specificity in responses: forests and wetlands are more vulnerable to visitor's load, whereas grasslands may tolerate or even benefit from moderate disturbance, as grasslands in Estonia are semi-natural habitats. Wetland vegetation sustain high visitor's load probably only due to proper infrastructure on nature trails. These findings advance our understanding of recreation-driven vegetation change and support more targeted conservation planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100988"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100998
Samuel Cornell , Timothy Piatkowski , Robert Brander , Amy E. Peden
Social media travel and adventure influencers present both challenges and opportunities for outdoor recreation management and public safety. With large and engaged audiences, these influencers shape followers' travel decisions and risk-taking behaviours in natural settings, prompting the need for new communication strategies from land managers and public health practitioners. This study investigated how Australian travel and adventure influencers perceive and communicate risk in their online content. Semi-structured interviews with influencers were conducted online between September and December 2023, exploring their views on their own risk-taking, whether and how they convey risk information to followers, and the extent to which they believe they hold responsibility for educating audiences about safety in the outdoors. Interviews were thematically analysed using an exploratory design informed by Source Credibility Theory to interpret emerging themes within established communication frameworks. Three themes were identified: influencers generally position themselves as entertainers rather than educators, distancing themselves from responsibility for followers' behaviour; risk-taking and autonomy form a key part of influencer identity and online credibility; and effective communication with influencers requires approaches that prioritise authenticity and align with their personal and professional values. Overall, the findings indicate that while influencers resist assumptions that they should provide safety information or model cautious behaviour, there are opportunities for land management agencies to collaborate with them through co-designed communication strategies that leverage influencers’ strengths without conflicting with their self-presentation or perceived autonomy.
{"title":"Entertainers, not educators? Social media influencers and risk communication in outdoor travel","authors":"Samuel Cornell , Timothy Piatkowski , Robert Brander , Amy E. Peden","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Social media travel and adventure influencers present both challenges and opportunities for outdoor recreation management and public safety. With large and engaged audiences, these influencers shape followers' travel decisions and risk-taking behaviours in natural settings, prompting the need for new communication strategies from land managers and public health practitioners. This study investigated how Australian travel and adventure influencers perceive and communicate risk in their online content. Semi-structured interviews with influencers were conducted online between September and December 2023, exploring their views on their own risk-taking, whether and how they convey risk information to followers, and the extent to which they believe they hold responsibility for educating audiences about safety in the outdoors. Interviews were thematically analysed using an exploratory design informed by Source Credibility Theory to interpret emerging themes within established communication frameworks. Three themes were identified: influencers generally position themselves as entertainers rather than educators, distancing themselves from responsibility for followers' behaviour; risk-taking and autonomy form a key part of influencer identity and online credibility; and effective communication with influencers requires approaches that prioritise authenticity and align with their personal and professional values. Overall, the findings indicate that while influencers resist assumptions that they should provide safety information or model cautious behaviour, there are opportunities for land management agencies to collaborate with them through co-designed communication strategies that leverage influencers’ strengths without conflicting with their self-presentation or perceived autonomy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100998"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100986
Vanessa Teles da Mota , Estela Ines Farias-Torbidoni , Ricardo Manuel Nogueira Mendes
Natural areas are very popular for visitation, offering a range of outdoor recreational activities available for visitors. The public use of natural areas requires a range of techniques to manage visitation, including limiting the number of visitors, also known as carrying capacity, and assessing levels of change in the natural environment. But how is the carrying capacity of visitors in natural areas being assessed worldwide? We conducted a systematic quantitative literature review looking at publications on carrying capacity using three different search databases. A total of 294 publications were identified, including research articles (230 publications), conference proceedings (40), experts’ opinion (13), thesis (7) and technical reports (4), with research increasing in the last decade. The Cifuentes method was the most frequently used methodology (106 publications), followed by other alternative quantitative methods (122) and less frequently, by qualitative methods (28). The Cifuentes method was more commonly used in countries in Central and South America and Asia, whereas qualitative frameworks were more frequently used in North America. Data collected in Cifuentes method case studies included more often abiotic and biotic features when compared to other quantitative frameworks, that focused more on social data. Additionally, terms used in case studies to define carrying capacity were dispersed and key factors applied in frameworks to assess carrying capacity were not standardized. These findings can improve the understanding of how carrying capacity calculations have been developed globally and help identify more tangibly research gaps for future research in the management of public use in natural areas.
{"title":"How is visitor carrying capacity being measured in natural areas? Methods and global trends from a systematic literature review","authors":"Vanessa Teles da Mota , Estela Ines Farias-Torbidoni , Ricardo Manuel Nogueira Mendes","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100986","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100986","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural areas are very popular for visitation, offering a range of outdoor recreational activities available for visitors. The public use of natural areas requires a range of techniques to manage visitation, including limiting the number of visitors, also known as carrying capacity, and assessing levels of change in the natural environment. But how is the carrying capacity of visitors in natural areas being assessed worldwide? We conducted a systematic quantitative literature review looking at publications on carrying capacity using three different search databases. A total of 294 publications were identified, including research articles (230 publications), conference proceedings (40), experts’ opinion (13), thesis (7) and technical reports (4), with research increasing in the last decade. The Cifuentes method was the most frequently used methodology (106 publications), followed by other alternative quantitative methods (122) and less frequently, by qualitative methods (28). The Cifuentes method was more commonly used in countries in Central and South America and Asia, whereas qualitative frameworks were more frequently used in North America. Data collected in Cifuentes method case studies included more often abiotic and biotic features when compared to other quantitative frameworks, that focused more on social data. Additionally, terms used in case studies to define carrying capacity were dispersed and key factors applied in frameworks to assess carrying capacity were not standardized. These findings can improve the understanding of how carrying capacity calculations have been developed globally and help identify more tangibly research gaps for future research in the management of public use in natural areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100986"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100980
Catherine A. Hughes, Travis B. Paveglio
Off-road vehicle (ORV) use is a popular recreational activity across many public lands governed by multiple use mandates. Projected increases in the number of ORV users will likely require recreation managers to establish nuanced guidelines for navigating complex management scenarios and work toward balancing the needs of both recreationists and landscapes. However, little research explores effective decision-making surrounding management of ORV use and the needs of its increasing user base. The research presented here responds to this lack of knowledge by utilizing focus groups to explore recreationists' perspectives about ORV management, specifically the implementation of special recreation permits (SRPs), at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes (Dunes), a popular ORV recreation area in Idaho, United States (U.S.). Results revealed three primary themes surrounding recreationists' views on SRP implementation: 1) concerns that developments may change the long-standing recreation practices of Dunes recreationists, 2) desires for a flexible and informed process to help implement possible SRPs and associated development alternatives, and 3) prioritization of targeted safety measures when planning for SRP developments. The article concludes with a discussion of how the above themes might influence future recreation management on the Dunes or other public lands, including the recommendation of a ‘recreation ambassador’ program as one potential means of addressing recreationists' desires for recreation opportunities at the Dunes.
{"title":"Recreationists’ preferences for special recreation permit implementation at an off-road vehicle recreation area","authors":"Catherine A. Hughes, Travis B. Paveglio","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Off-road vehicle (ORV) use is a popular recreational activity across many public lands governed by multiple use mandates. Projected increases in the number of ORV users will likely require recreation managers to establish nuanced guidelines for navigating complex management scenarios and work toward balancing the needs of both recreationists and landscapes. However, little research explores effective decision-making surrounding management of ORV use and the needs of its increasing user base. The research presented here responds to this lack of knowledge by utilizing focus groups to explore recreationists' perspectives about ORV management, specifically the implementation of special recreation permits (SRPs), at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes (Dunes), a popular ORV recreation area in Idaho, United States (U.S.). Results revealed three primary themes surrounding recreationists' views on SRP implementation: 1) concerns that developments may change the long-standing recreation practices of Dunes recreationists, 2) desires for a flexible and informed process to help implement possible SRPs and associated development alternatives, and 3) prioritization of targeted safety measures when planning for SRP developments. The article concludes with a discussion of how the above themes might influence future recreation management on the Dunes or other public lands, including the recommendation of a ‘recreation ambassador’ program as one potential means of addressing recreationists' desires for recreation opportunities at the Dunes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100980"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study investigates the factors influencing the competitiveness of small island adventure tourism, with a focus on Qeshm Island, Iran. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, this research examines how natural resources, sustainability, and infrastructure contribute to destination competitiveness. Using semi-structured interviews with 16 key stakeholders, the study identifies critical factors that shape tourism development, emphasizing the roles of sustainability, accessibility, and government support. By mapping the interrelationships among these factors, the findings provide a structured framework for enhancing tourism management strategies. The study underscores the necessity of strategic interventions that balance economic growth, environmental conservation, and community engagement, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism planners, and industry stakeholders seeking to strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of adventure tourism in small island destinations.
{"title":"Strategic interventions for enhancing destination competitiveness in island-based adventure tourism: Insights from a small island destination","authors":"Azadeh Azimi , Masood Khodadadi , Bahram Yousefi , Erfan Moradi","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the factors influencing the competitiveness of small island adventure tourism, with a focus on Qeshm Island, Iran. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, this research examines how natural resources, sustainability, and infrastructure contribute to destination competitiveness. Using semi-structured interviews with 16 key stakeholders, the study identifies critical factors that shape tourism development, emphasizing the roles of sustainability, accessibility, and government support. By mapping the interrelationships among these factors, the findings provide a structured framework for enhancing tourism management strategies. The study underscores the necessity of strategic interventions that balance economic growth, environmental conservation, and community engagement, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism planners, and industry stakeholders seeking to strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of adventure tourism in small island destinations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100987"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100956
Jonathan Joseph, Simone Grabowski, Najmeh Hassanli
{"title":"Shared hiking experiences: A phenomenological study of interactions in nature","authors":"Jonathan Joseph, Simone Grabowski, Najmeh Hassanli","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100956","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100956","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100956"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100983
Ralf Buckley , Sonya Underdahl , Carl Cater , Elsa Pereira , Mary-Ann Cooper , Meisha Liddon , Diane Westaway , Adele Doran , Zoë Jiabo Zhang , Patrick O'Keeffe , Hanieh Khatiyoun , Rob Hales , Susan Houge Mackenzie , Gill Pomfret
For safety and satisfaction in outdoor recreation and tourism, participant or client capability must match destination difficulty. Social trends have increased demand by inexperienced clients. Tour operators and tourists rely on third-party difficulty gradings and participant skill certifications. These operate as autonomous information sources within destination matching. We analyse their significance using iterative thematic analysis of participant observations by 14 coauthors for 15 activities in 52 countries. We find that certifications are used at 5 scales: destination, infrastructure, tour operator, guide or instructor, and individual clients. Currently, guide certification is most widespread. We propose that site grading and client certifications may expand, with increasing regulation and training. Drivers of expansion include insurance, marketing, adoption of outdoor recreation and tourism in healthcare, and legal permitting and insurance requirements for access to public and private parks and other lands.
{"title":"Matching destination difficulty and participant capability in outdoor recreation and tourism: role of third-party certifications for 15 activities in 52 countries","authors":"Ralf Buckley , Sonya Underdahl , Carl Cater , Elsa Pereira , Mary-Ann Cooper , Meisha Liddon , Diane Westaway , Adele Doran , Zoë Jiabo Zhang , Patrick O'Keeffe , Hanieh Khatiyoun , Rob Hales , Susan Houge Mackenzie , Gill Pomfret","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100983","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100983","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For safety and satisfaction in outdoor recreation and tourism, participant or client capability must match destination difficulty. Social trends have increased demand by inexperienced clients. Tour operators and tourists rely on third-party difficulty gradings and participant skill certifications. These operate as autonomous information sources within destination matching. We analyse their significance using iterative thematic analysis of participant observations by 14 coauthors for 15 activities in 52 countries. We find that certifications are used at 5 scales: destination, infrastructure, tour operator, guide or instructor, and individual clients. Currently, guide certification is most widespread. We propose that site grading and client certifications may expand, with increasing regulation and training. Drivers of expansion include insurance, marketing, adoption of outdoor recreation and tourism in healthcare, and legal permitting and insurance requirements for access to public and private parks and other lands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 100983"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100985
Sofie Paulus , Julia Lohmann , Veronika Roder , Volker Audorff , Alise Zvigule , Manuel J. Steinbauer
Bouldering is gaining popularity worldwide, but when practised outdoors, it can threaten local ecosystems and cause social conflicts, requiring effective management. In the Frankenjura region, one of Europe's most renowned climbing areas, the “Boulderappell” recommends specific behaviors to mitigate such impacts. However, this agreement remains controversial due to limited means of regulating or communicating bouldering-related information.
The objectives of this study were twofold: first, to provide an overview of the social and ecological issues associated with bouldering and the Boulderappell; and second, to analyze the perspective of key stakeholders regarding bouldering management in the Frankenjura (Study A) and the Boulderappell's reception among active boulderers (Study B).
In Study A, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local stakeholders (n = 10) to qualitatively capture their perspectives on social and environmental conflicts. Study B comprised a standardized survey administered in three bouldering gyms, with a sample of n = 206 active boulderers.
A key mechanism of the Boulderappell is the restriction of public access to information about outdoor bouldering. While this non-publication strategy is perceived as effective in limiting visitor numbers, it excludes those without insider knowledge and hampers communication. 61 % of surveyed outdoor boulderers were aware of the Boulderappell, and nearly one-third expressed indifference or approval of prohibited practices such as cave bouldering. Overall, stakeholders emphasised the need for more transparent and inclusive dialogue. While the applied management appears insufficient to effectively mitigate social conflicts or ecological impacts, the findings thoughtfully underscore the trade-offs between secrecy-based and open communication approaches.
{"title":"Ecological and social perspectives on the management of outdoor sports: the case of bouldering in the Frankenjura, Germany","authors":"Sofie Paulus , Julia Lohmann , Veronika Roder , Volker Audorff , Alise Zvigule , Manuel J. Steinbauer","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100985","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100985","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bouldering is gaining popularity worldwide, but when practised outdoors, it can threaten local ecosystems and cause social conflicts, requiring effective management. In the Frankenjura region, one of Europe's most renowned climbing areas, the “Boulderappell” recommends specific behaviors to mitigate such impacts. However, this agreement remains controversial due to limited means of regulating or communicating bouldering-related information.</div><div>The objectives of this study were twofold: first, to provide an overview of the social and ecological issues associated with bouldering and the Boulderappell; and second, to analyze the perspective of key stakeholders regarding bouldering management in the Frankenjura (Study A) and the Boulderappell's reception among active boulderers (Study B).</div><div>In Study A, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local stakeholders (<em>n</em> = 10) to qualitatively capture their perspectives on social and environmental conflicts. Study B comprised a standardized survey administered in three bouldering gyms, with a sample of <em>n</em> = 206 active boulderers.</div><div>A key mechanism of the Boulderappell is the restriction of public access to information about outdoor bouldering. While this non-publication strategy is perceived as effective in limiting visitor numbers, it excludes those without insider knowledge and hampers communication. 61 % of surveyed outdoor boulderers were aware of the Boulderappell, and nearly one-third expressed indifference or approval of prohibited practices such as cave bouldering. Overall, stakeholders emphasised the need for more transparent and inclusive dialogue. While the applied management appears insufficient to effectively mitigate social conflicts or ecological impacts, the findings thoughtfully underscore the trade-offs between secrecy-based and open communication approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"53 ","pages":"Article 100985"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2025.100984
Guofang Shi , Haili Shen , Xue Qin , Shun Ye
Chinese tourists represent an emerging source market for winter tourism. Destination personality is an effective tool for competitive positioning of winter destinations. This study investigates the reconstruction of destination personality through Chinese tourists' online travelogues (n = 196) focusing on Northeastern China (n = 96) and Hokkaido, Japan (n = 100) during the 2020–2024 period. Through systematic content analysis of these curated texts, we identified prominent personality traits for both destinations. Perceptual maps were constructed through co-occurrences analysis, to visualize the inner structures of winter destinations’ personality traits. The results suggest that Femininity emerges as the most important iconic personality trait of winter destinations. The further comparisons indicate that for a specific category of destinations, the core feature is stable and generalizable, the periphery, however, can vary a lot due to regional variations. The findings provide stakeholders of winter destinations with valuable insights to craft marketing strategies and enhance management practices.
{"title":"Understanding visitors' personality perceptions of winter destinations: Evidences from Chinese travelers","authors":"Guofang Shi , Haili Shen , Xue Qin , Shun Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100984","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jort.2025.100984","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chinese tourists represent an emerging source market for winter tourism. Destination personality is an effective tool for competitive positioning of winter destinations. This study investigates the reconstruction of destination personality through Chinese tourists' online travelogues (n = 196) focusing on Northeastern China (n = 96) and Hokkaido, Japan (n = 100) during the 2020–2024 period. Through systematic content analysis of these curated texts, we identified prominent personality traits for both destinations. Perceptual maps were constructed through co-occurrences analysis, to visualize the inner structures of winter destinations’ personality traits. The results suggest that <em>Femininity</em> emerges as the most important iconic personality trait of winter destinations. The further comparisons indicate that for a specific category of destinations, the core feature is stable and generalizable, the periphery, however, can vary a lot due to regional variations. The findings provide stakeholders of winter destinations with valuable insights to craft marketing strategies and enhance management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46931,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 100984"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号