Marja Uusitalo

Differences in Tourists’ and Local Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism Landscapes: A Case Study from Ylläs, Finnish Lapland

Abstract The landscape is one of the main pull factors of nature‐based tourism. Tourism landscapes are multifunctional since landscape characteristics, functions and human values interact with economic activity. People’s experiences and perceptions of the environment are emphasized in the experience economy. The objective of this case study was to demonstrate cognitive cartography in revealing differences in the spatial perception of the tourism landscape among three social groups: domestic and foreign tourists and local residents. Altogether 35 mental maps were sketched during focus group interviews and workshops which took place in the Ylläs tourism destination of Lapland (Finland). The composition of visual elements and spatial structure of the maps were studied by using Lynch’s, Appleyard’s and Hart & Moore’s models. The mental maps differed in composition and structure and were influenced by the drawers’ personal factors. Consequently, the users of large‐scale nature‐tourism destinations are either road or survey mappers. The observations were consistent with previous studies on spatial cognition of nature‐based tourism destinations. The users were classified into four subgroups for further discussions on landscape management applications. Although the sketch‐mapping technique is disputed, it has obvious strengths, such as the ability to indicate missing elements and linkages relevant to users in the spatial structure of an area.