Jan Vidar Haukeland

Tourism stakeholders’ perceptions of national park management in Norway

Local tourism firms represent an important stakeholder interest in national parks. The present study examines these stakeholders’ perceptions of management processes and their assessments of the resulting management plans and operations. This research is based on qualitative interviews with representatives of tourism businesses in two different national park settings in Norway – Rondane National Park and Jotunheimen National Park. The findings illustrate that despite their general support for the national park status, the local tourism stakeholders interviewed had experienced only minor involvement in the management planning process, and had had very little influence in the final management decisions. They believed that opportunities for business operations were lacking due to excessive management restrictions, and that managers lacked competence with regard to business management and tourism development issues. In addition, they thought that management authorities should more explicitly include sustainable tourism development in their visions and goals. Based on the findings, it is assumed that there is potential for local tourism operators to take greater responsibility in planning processes and management operations. It is concluded that measures should be taken to foster durable social links and trustworthy planning partnerships between responsible managers and local tourism stakeholders in the two national parks.

Turning National Parks into Tourist Attractions: Nature Orientation and Quest for Facilities

Abstract This paper presents an exploratory analysis of foreign tourists’ quests for facilities in Norwegian national parks, related to their expressed nature orientation. The analysis was based on a survey among German, Dutch and Danish tourists during the summer season of 2008. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to identify underlying dimensions from indicator questions related to nature orientations and to quest for facilities inside and outside the national parks. The indicator questions were primarily inspired by Nils Uddenberg’s classification of modern Swedes’ nature orientations. We found a significant, although fairly weak, relationship between nature orientation and quest for facilities, applying multivariate regression modelling. The strongest relationship was found for the quest for larger management measures – “Infrastructure & services” – supported by nature orientations labelled Challenge or Sightseeing, while these were disapproved of by the traditional outdoor Recreation orientation. The wish for “Tracks and signposts” was also upheld by nature orientations Challenge and Sightseeing. A segment of the tourists, based on cluster analysis, indicated that one third requested development of “Infrastructure & services”, but this segment demanded all kinds of facility developments. The results indicate national park development potentials, clarifying which developments are contended, and diversifying the demand from three major nationalities visiting Norway.

Harmony or Conflict? A Focus Group Study on Traditional Use and Tourism Development in and around Rondane and Jotunheimen National Parks in Norway

Rural industries in Norway are increasingly being marginalized, and rural populations are decreasing. Rural areas and the mountain landscapes which often characterize them are, however, highly valued for their biodiversity, and for amenity values, which in many cases are associated with national parks and other protected areas. In this context, the present study seeks to explore local stakeholders’ views on issues associated with tourism development in Norwegian national parks – in particular, their personal interests, rural discourses and management planning processes. Four focus group meetings were undertaken in two prominent national parks in Norway, Rondane National Park and Jotunheimen National Park, and with two main user groups: traditional rural user interests and local tourism interests. Findings revealed strong support across all groups for the existence of the two national parks. Both groups in both parks were in favour of some level, and certain types, of tourism within the parks. The local tourism interests, however, felt more strongly than their counterparts that a more extensive tourism strategy was needed to support the local communities. A general frustration with the present management regime was noted among several stakeholders. A key conclusion is that local stakeholders should be significantly involved in future park management processes.

10‐year Anniversary Editorial

Taylor and Francis SJHT_A_502364. gm 10.1080/1 2250.2010.502364 candinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism 502-2250 (pri t)/15 2-2269 (online) Original Article 2 10 & Francis 0 00201 Jan Vid rH uk land jvh@toi. o It is with great pride and pleasure that the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism (SJHT) presents, as part of its 10-year anniversary celebration, this jubilee issue devoted to nature-based tourism. This topic has also been the most published one in the 10 years that the SJHT has informed the world about a substantial part of Nordic hospitality and tourism research. From a strictly empirical point of view we may say that in hindsight, nature-based and rural tourism are compelling characteristics defining the tourism and hospitality sector in the North. The SJHT was launched with champagne and speeches at the 9th Nordic Symposium in Tourism and Hospitality Research on Bornholm in the year 2000. It was initiated by the Norwegian School of Hotel Management as a contribution to the transition of the regional university college in Stavanger into the University of Stavanger. Hence, from the outset the Norwegian School of Hotel Management became the owner of the journal, and has subsidised its work up until now. Since 2007 and upon evaluation, a significant contribution has also been provided by the Nordic Board for Publication in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NOH-PS), and from Aalborg University since 2008. One of the aims of the journal was to publish Nordic tourism research from Nordic researchers. However, at the outset it was not clear what Nordic tourism issues were, and attempts were made to define what could possibly be the unique features of Nordic tourism and hence the context of our research agenda. We then thought of tourism and hospitality as phenomena and businesses based upon the natural, cultural, social, political and economic resources that an area can provide, but also as being restricted by the same factors. A strong advocate of the uniqueness issue was Associate Professor Øystein Jensen who argued that:

The role of psychographic factors in nature-based tourist expenditure.

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between tourist expenditure and observable characteristics of the individual and the trip. We add latent variables based on psychographic factors into a model of expenditure by nature-based tourists. This study models the log of per person trip expenditure by domestic and international visitors in a Norwegian alpine national park region as a function of psychographic factors as well as traditional measures of trip and demographic characteristics. In the regression models, factor scores were utilized from nature orientation, recreation experience preference (REP), a new ecological paradigm (NEP) and wilderness preference (WPS) scales. Higher scores on a NEP environmentalism factor were associated with higher expenditure, while higher scores on a REP risk seeking factor were associated with lower expenditure. Higher scores on a risk seeking, or challenge factor, from the nature orientation scale was associated with lower expenditure, while higher scores on an inspiration seeking factor were associated with higher expenditure. Structural equation models were then estimated for comparison. The implications for tourism management and marketing are discussed.

Visitors’ acceptance of negative ecological impacts in national parks: comparing the explanatory power of psychographic scales in a Norwegian mountain setting

Even in protected areas, it is inevitable that any human use will produce some impact on natural resources. This study identifies visitors’ tolerance of potential negative ecological impacts from tourism activities and facilities in a Norwegian national park context, based on park visitors’ expressed degree of acceptance of negative effects on particular species of wildlife (wild reindeer and raptors) and on vegetation. Attitudes were analysed using psychographic scales, reflecting respondents’ nature orientations, their specific facility desires, their preferences in a wilderness setting and their concerns about human interaction with the natural environment. Fourteen research hypotheses were tested. Findings demonstrated that the psychographic scales explained more variation in attitudes than most social background and trip characteristics. Higher levels of education among visitors were strongly associated with increased ecological concern; age and gender were not. There was generally strong ecological awareness and eco-centrism among park visitors in general, with a small proportion of wilderness purists. Better trail conditions, signposting and interpretation were sought. But park visitors were also found to possess a complex mixture of needs and drivers. The study found significant potential for strategic alliances between tourism and conservation interests, and key value issues for park governance systems.

Tourist Segments for New Facilities in National Park Areas: Profiling Tourists in Norway Based on Psychographics and Demographics

The pursuit of sustainable tourism may involve development of more facilities in the buffer zones of national parks and other pristine nature areas. Two independent samples of domestic and foreign tourists in Norway were segmented based on expressed preferences for a diversity of new facilities in an alpine national park region, all facilities potentially with different impacts on the natural habitat. One sample was recruited inside the alpine area, the other outside. Post hoc market segmentation was carried out using a combined two-stage hierarchical and nonhierarchical clustering of facility quest factors identified from a set of survey items. We assessed stability of the clusters by comparing independent sample solutions against the pooled sample and further assessing the extent to which the clusters differed with respect to demographic or psychographic characteristics.

National parks policy and planning: a comparative analysis of friluftsliv (Norway) and the dual mandate (New Zealand)

ABSTRACT Conservation management in Norway is anchored in the historical tradition of friluftsliv although Norways evolving economic policy signals that growing priority is being given to recreation and nature-based tourism development in association with protected natural areas (PNAs). Here we present the results of an international comparative study that examined conservation policy and recreation/tourism management in Norway and New Zealand, where a legislated dual mandate of conservation and tourism in PNAs is longstanding. Our analysis of conservation policy and planning documents in Norway and New Zealand highlights important contrasts in conservation and recreation/tourism management that are deeply embedded in national socio-historical contexts. Our findings highlight lessons that may be learned and applied in Norway. However we also caution that the application of lessons from New Zealands ‘utilitarian conservation’ policy context may require a reformulation or refinement of the friluftsliv tradition.

Mimisbrunnr Climate Park – a network for heritage learning, tourism development, and climate consciousness

Increased ice melting revealed in 2006–2007 many reminiscences of ancient human activity around ice patches near Mt Galdhøpiggen, Norways highest mountain peak. The public limited company “Klimapark 2469 AS” was established to develop a heritage interpretation product and to study climate change. A 60-metre long ice tunnel is excavated in the ice patch Juvfonna, where guided walks and a display presenting climate change, archeology, Norse mythology, and glaciology are offered. The heritage product, “Mimisbrunnr Climate Park 2469” (MK2469), is based on collaboration between scientific institutions, public authorities, the National Mountain Museum, and private tourist companies. The ambition is to combine science, environmental learning, interpretation, heritage tourism, and local development. Based on interviews and relevant documents, we have studied the network – the actors, their ambitions, and networking processes: What are the perceived opportunities, challenges, outcomes, and success factors? Good strategic work has resulted in extensive public funding and sponsorship, and MK2469 has become a diverse, quality heritage product, but so far with little commercial success. An important outcome is the fruitful exchange of experiences, between public and private partners, tourism and science interests, amateurs and professionals, and between local, regional and national actors. The network has shown to be quite dynamic.

The 16th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research in Helsingborg: Reflections and Recommendations on Tourism Research and Borders

The Department of Service Management at Lund University, Campus Helsingborg successfully organized the 16th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research from 27–29 September 2007, at the Elite Marina Hotel Plaza in Helsingborg. The conference was chaired by Dr Szilvia Gyimothy and Dr Stefan Gössling. Professor Arvid Viken from Finnmark University College, Professor Peter Björk from the Swedish School of Economics in Waasa, Associate Professor Thomas O’Dell from Lund University, Professor Dieter Müller from Umeå University and Dr Anne-Mette Hjalager, Advance1 in Århus acted as the scientific committee. The organizers provided information needed in the very best ways, both up front and during the conference. The schedules and abstracts were presented in hard copies, which still is the most convenient format when choosing between alternative presentations and parallel paper sessions. In addition, the collection of abstracts and submitted full papers were available on a USB stick as a gift for each participant. All abstracts and the submitted full papers were also made available online at www.ch.lu.se/16Nordic, which is favourable for referencing purposes. The full papers are being reviewed for possible publication in the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism and authors of especially interesting contributions will be invited to submit their contributions to the journal. Participants were also updated after the conference with memos and greetings from the organizers. The conference venue, the Elite Marina Hotel Plaza, is an inviting and hospitable hotel in the centre of Helsingborg and most adequate for a conference of this size. Most of the participants stayed at the conference hotel which makes the conference experience even more stimulating as it facilitates discussions and socializing. Two arenas were created – the academic discourses, refreshing coffee breaks and socializing were located on the fifth floor, and meals and more socializing took place on the first floor. Alternative hotel and B&B facilities were also offered, which was beneficial as the hotel was unable to accommodate all participants. Infrastructures like projectors and amplifiers functioned well, and presentations could be uploaded on the computers where they should be held in front of each session. The in-house Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, Vol. 8, No. 1, 62–68, 2008