FS 3.212
Tourism in mountain protected areas
Full Title
FS 3.212: Tourism in mountain protected areas: challenge or opportunity for sustainability and inclusion?Scheduled
TBALocation
TBAConvener
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
---Thematic Focus
Conservation, Policy, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development, TourismKeywords
mountain protected areas, tourism, sustainability, challenge, opportunity
Description
In recent years, many protected areas experienced an increase in the number of tourists and their attractiveness for leisure activities. However, as cornerstones for biodiversity conservation, the challenge is how to find a balance between conservation goals and local development perspectives. Mountains attract visitors with their outstanding landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant local cultures. The new report from the UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Mountain Partnership (MP), clearly states that mountain tourism exerts increasingly relevant pressure on ecosystems, despite the scarce data on the number of tourists and dimension of impact. This session is looking for contributions to highlight the discussion on mountain tourism inclusive collective efforts, involving public and private stakeholders, contributing towards the comprehensive assessment and understanding of mountain tourism in Protected areas, suggesting the following questions:
- Is protected nature area status used as a tool for regional/local development?
- What are the benefits/downsides/challenges of developing a business tourism activity inside a mountain-protected area?
- What are the forms of interactions/collaborations between protected area representatives and local stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism?
- What is the role of tourism stakeholders in stimulating pro-environmental behaviour among tourists?
- What is the of tourism activities in sustaining livelihoods and the local economy?
Submitted Abstracts
Luis Filipe Neves Carreira Dos Santos
Silva, Silvio; Simões, Jorge; Rosa, Manuel; Sanches, Miguel; Silva, Júlio
Abstract/Description
Fishing in mountain streams has long been an outdoor recreational activity for residents, usually supporting a local fishing tackle shop, which serves as a picturesque gathering point where conservationists and anglers come together to share their stories and experiences. These shops have become educational hubs in their own unique way. Mountains are distinctive habitats that host a diverse range of flora and fauna adapted to harsh conditions, making them biodiversity hotspots. Due to these unique features, mountain areas attract millions of tourists seeking activities such as hiking, skiing, climbing, and sightseeing. This influx of visitors boosts local economies and provides livelihoods for surrounding communities, giving rise to the opportunity to explore Recreational Fishing tourism in mountain areas. The growing niche within the broader tourism industry combines nature’s tranquillity, stunning mountain landscapes, and the excitement of fishing for unique species, attracting both avid anglers and casual travellersThe third decade of the 21st century brought unforeseen changes to retail, with e-commerce taking a leading role following the pandemic. This study interviewed 8 tackle shops in Scotland, Galiza, and Portugal, and evaluated 14 apps, Fishbrain, Fishsurfing, Fishing Points, iAngler, FishAngler, Pro Angler, Fishing Knots, Angler’s Log, MyRadar Weather Radar, Why Use It, Fishidy, Catch & Release, Fishing Weather and Fish Rules. Results bring to evidence the relationship between fishing apps and e-commerce with losses and even closure of fishing shops. Fishing apps have undoubtedly changed the way anglers access information and purchase gear. They are incredibly useful for anglers of all skill levels, offering features such as weather forecasts, fishing spot recommendations, species identification, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Fishing shops that adapt to changes by leveraging technology, emphasizing their unique value, and fostering community connections may survive alongside fishing apps. The key is finding a balance between embracing digital tools and maintaining the personal touch that physical shops offer.
The Geography of Tourism Marketisation in High-elevation Protected Areas in The Alps: Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina/Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn, Alto Adige/Südtirol
Ahmed Shams
Abstract/Description
The commodification of mountain landscapes is conceptualised through the processes of tourism marketisation in high-elevation protected areas in The Alps. It is a question of market territorialisation and market-making as a space making process. The spatial dimensions of market constitution and the dynamics of the re/configuration processes are not limited to locational choices and travel costs, but they are also founded on key concepts such as scale, network, territory and space. These concepts generate a broader landscape consumption critique where the territorial qualities play a key role in the processes of marketisation. Moreover, the marketisation emphasises the importance of regulatory regimes within various administrative scales and cross-scalar relations. Founded on field landscape documentation surveys in Alto Adige/Südtirol, the geography of tourism marketisation enables networked tourism market framing — through complex network analysis for the inter-connectivity between spatial units, i.e., relations and movement between space(s). Moreover, it analyses the delineation of the capacities of different actors and factors in the territory of the protected area (primary space) and the regional market space (secondary space). The marketisation re/configures the exchange pattern between the image produced and promoted for mountain landscapes (characteristics/commodity) and the visitors (consumers) across various administrative scales and local and regional levels of integration. The exchange takes place in high-elevation mountain areas. It is part of the wider re-thinking of the protected areas form the perspective of the geography of tourism marketisation to regulate the delimitation and connectivity of protected areas, and socio-ecological relations and market territorialisation.
Development of a Recreational Activity Plan for Protected Natural Areas: A Case Study of Tunkinsky National Park
Marina Tsydypova
Abstract/Description
Tunkinsky National Park is located on the northern slopes of the Hamar-Daban and Eastern Sayan mountain ranges and within the Tunkinskaya Basin, forming part of the Baikal section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its geographical position offers significant potential for international tourism, as the park borders Mongolia. Tunkinsky National Park is the only national park in the Russian Federation whose territory is entirely located within the boundaries of a municipal formation that includes 35 settlements with a population of 23,000 people. Therefore, the task of preserving natural heritage while respecting the interests and needs of the local population is more relevant than ever. The park attracts over 150,000 visitors annually, offering numerous mountain hiking trails and ecological paths. However, not all trails are equipped to meet modern usage standards. Uncontrolled tourism growth can lead to negative consequences for the park’s ecosystems. To regulate tourism activities in protected areas, regulatory legal acts were adopted in 2023, governing recreational activities in protected areas. One of the new legislative requirements is the necessity to develop a Recreational Activity Plan for the national park. The plan must include information about tourist infrastructure facilities, visited natural complexes, recreational carrying capacity of the protected area and other information related to the planning of recreational activities. The study aims to test a proposed methodology for creating Recreational Activity Plan for Tunkinsky National Park as a case study. The development of the Plan’s cartographical component involved collecting data on natural and cultural resources, field collection of data on recreational facilities, counting visitors, and surveying them. Preliminary maps were drafted based on this data. The development of the Recreational Activity Plan is essential for determining the park’s recreational potential and guiding the future of tourism and recreation within it. Recommendations for improving the methodology are include adding information on water protection zones, flood zones, sanitary protection areas, and existing and planned solid waste management infrastructure. This information is vital for planning recreational activities, placing infrastructure, and calculating recreational carrying capacity.
Consuming the Vanishing: Last-Chance Tourism, Glacier Melt, and the Urban Logic of Tourist Consumption
Monica Bernardi
Cusumano, Mariaclaudia
Abstract/Description
In the context of accelerating climate change, the phenomenon of last-chance tourism – the trend of visiting destinations threatened by environmental degradation before they disappear – has gained increasing attention (Lemelin et al., 2010; Lemelin & Whipp, 2019). While not a new concept, the current speed and scale of climate change have intensified this dynamic, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as glaciers, which are melting at an alarming rate (six time faster than in the 1990s) (Rounce et al., 2023). The contribution examines how last-chance tourism not only reflects but also amplifies extractive and consumerist logics already present in urban overtourism (Christin, 2019), transforming the climate crisis into a commodified spectacle. Drawing on case studies such as the Mar de Glace in Chamonix and the Pastoruri Glacier in Peru – both rebranded as attractions where tourists can “witness” the vanishing ice – the study critically explores the role of tourism marketing and media narratives in shaping demand for these endangered landscapes. The proliferation of travel influencers and tour operators promoting these sites as “must-see before they disappear” destinations raises crucial ethical and environmental concerns. While such narratives can raise awareness and, in some cases, drive conservation efforts, they also accelerate environmental degradation, reinforce tourism’s contribution to climate change, and exacerbate socio-spatial inequalities. By drawing parallels between last-chance tourism in glacial environments and the logics of urban overtourism – where spaces are consumed and exploited until their depletion – the presentation reflects on the paradox of conservation through consumption. How does the commodification of climate catastrophe shape tourist behaviour, policy responses, and local resilience? To what extent does tourism’s self-destructive cycle in urban and natural settings reveal broader patterns of crisis capitalism? Engaging with critical tourism studies, environmental sociology, and urban studies, this research highlights the urgent need to rethink tourism beyond its exploitative paradigms, questioning whether witnessing environmental loss should itself become a form of leisure consumption
Rise of Tourism in Wadi Rum: A Case Study in the Challenge of Balancing Local Economic Development and Environmental Conservation
Marie Poulain
Abstract/Description
The Wadi Rum Protected Area in Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, exemplifies the growing tension between tourism development and sustainability in mountain-protected areas. Known for its stunning desert and sandstone mountains, Wadi Rum has seen a sharp rise in visitors in recent years, driven by jeep tours and, to a lesser extent, climbing activities including trad climbing and Bedouin routes (local mountaineering). While this influx boosts the local economy, it also raises critical sustainability challenges.
One pressing issue is the environmental impact of off-road tourism. The increasing number of jeeps crossing the steppe leaves lasting tracks, leading to pasture scarcity and forcing Bedouin nomads to travel further in search of grazing lands. This exemplifies the broader question of whether protected status effectively boosts tourism but challenges the conservation of biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.
Additionally, the development of luxury accommodations in the protected area, particularly the “bubble” hotels inspired by Star Wars (filmed in Wadi Rum), raises concerns about resource consumption. These structures, featuring air conditioning and swimming pools, rely on significant water supplies transported by tanker trucks, highlighting the challenge of managing tourism infrastructure in ecologically fragile regions. Meanwhile, the expansion of camps for hosting tourists and climbers has prompted the government to tighten regulations to better control their proliferation. This has heightened tensions with Bedouin communities, reflecting long-standing disputes between them and the government over tourism management in Wadi Rum.
These dynamics reflect key debates in mountain-protected area tourism: To what extent should tourism development be balanced to avoid compromising fragile mountain ecosystems? How can the promotion of tourism lead to tensions between local stakeholders and protected area managers? What is the role of tourism operators in raising awareness and promoting pro-environmental behavior among visitors?
Owais Khan
Abstract/Description
Mountain regions with their exclusive natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, present vital potential for tourism development in Muree Pakistan. This study examines the interaction between mountain heritage preservation and tourism development of region, focusing on sustainable practices that improves economic benefits with Eco-friendly and cultural preservation. Through case studies and literature review, the research identifies strategies such as community engagement, infrastructure expansion, and policy implementation that have effectively promoted responsible tourism in mountains of Muree. Findings propose that integrating local cultural fundamentals into tourism offerings not only improves visitor experience but also community development and economic boost. The study concludes with recommendations for stakeholders and investors to adopt general approaches that ensure the preservation of mountain heritage while empowering sustainable tourism development.
The Brand Image of Geoparks: Tourist Perceptions of Geoparks and Implications for Sustainable Development
Andi Zhuang
Stoffelen, Arie; Meijles, Erik; Groote, Peter
Abstract/Description
Geoparks are gaining prominence as a strategy for fostering sustainable regional development by preserving and utilizing sites and landscapes of geological significance. The geopark idea stems from the fact that many rural areas rich in geological resources are under pressure from environmental degradation, economic stagnation and population loss. The establishment of geoparks and the accompanying tourism development is believed to provide a sustainable alternative to unsustainable industries while enhancing public engagement with geoheritage. However, strategies when establishing geoparks are often based on the visions of scientists and policymakers with limited opportunities for other stakeholders to collaborate in management. Problems have arisen regarding how officially stated values are recognized and understood by the general public. In this study, we aim to understand landscape values of tourists in geoparks, focusing on their perceptions of place meanings and the geopark brand image.
In China, many geoparks have been established in mountainous areas to promote sustainable economic development. Focusing on Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark, a mountain destination renowned for its iconic quartz sandstone peaks, we investigate the role tourists play as place makers under the tension between mass tourism development and local sustainability goals. Through questionnaires and mental maps, we analysed tourists’ perceptions of landscape values and the geopark’s brand identity. Findings reveal that tourists predominantly prioritize aesthetic appreciation, with limited awareness of the geopark’s scientific or socio-cultural significance under a mountain viewing model driven by infrastructure development. Mental maps further underscore a spatial concentration of tourist preferences toward iconic peaks and tourism hubs while marginalizing peripheral communities. In conclusion, the study argues that tourists play an active role in shaping the place identity of geoparks. We advocate for participatory governance frameworks that reconcile expert-driven conservation initiatives with the values of general public to fostering inclusive tourism practices in mountain protected areas.
RESALIO. Exploration of enhancement scenarios for the Trentino Stelvio National Park through the existing cable system
Chiara Chioni
Favargiotti, Sara
Abstract/Description
The Alps, Europe’s most significant mountain range, have been a lived-in and traversed landscape for over 5,000 years, shaped by human adaptation. Since the 19th century, with the rise of mountain tourism, the Alpine Space—spanning eight countries, with 27% of the territory in Italy—has become increasingly dotted with ski lifts, often within protected natural areas. In this context, the RESALIO research project (coordinated by the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Trento, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development and Protected Areas Service of the Autonomous Province of Trento) explores innovative strategies for landscape regeneration in the Trentino sector of the Stelvio National Park, leveraging the existing cableway system from Peio Fonti to the Pejo3000 station, in Val di Sole. “Resalio”, an iterative form of the Latin word “salio”, evokes an extreme motion—i.e., the effort to climb back onto a capsized boat in a stormy sea— facilitated in this exceptional case by the cableway infrastructure, which enables a 1,591 m altitude jump. The project unfolds in three phases: (1) building a solid knowledge base through thematic mapping of the territory and analysis of national and international project experiences, as a scientific reference apparatus; (2) organizing thematic meetings—engaging invited guests in a shared vision for the Park—, and a two-part residential workshop, co-designing strategies and interventions, and constructing a prototype installation, “Tarlentamente”, in Peio Fonti; (3) translating the results into a typological manual of guidelines with an operational matrix to enhance the Park’s landscape through existing cable mobility, from territorial to point-scale interventions. Ultimately, RESALIO develops a methodology to disseminate knowledge about the protected area’s interconnected dimensions—fostering awareness of ecosystemic challenges among those who (re)climb the mountain—, and support Alpine resilience, facilitating ecological, environmental, and cultural transitions, and ensuring their continuity through open dialogue among citizens, administrations, stakeholders, and researchers—guided by principles of environmental and cultural sustainability aligned with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.
Mountaineering as a driver of environmental and social changes: case of Tirich Glacier (Hindukush) and Baltoto Glacier (Karakorum)
Irena Mrak
Bubik, Anja; Goslar, Tomaž
Abstract/Description
High mountain regions are subject to rapid changes caused by natural events and increasing tourism. Increasing tourism in high mountain regions has negative impacts resulting from the increasing amount of waste and the prolonged presence of local communities not only during the usual mountaineering season. Mountain tourism is an important economic source for local communities. Especially in the areas with the highest peaks (8000 m and higher), the state of the environment is deteriorating due to mountaineering activities. Therefore, waste management in particular is one of the measures that need to be taken to ensure the future sustainable development of tourism in these areas. In parallel, soft measures should be introduced, especially targeting the international mountaineering community, to equip them with the knowledge of how to behave and act in accordance with the Leave No Trace principle. The study focuses on two different glacier areas in Pakistan – the Tirich Glacier and the Baltoro Glacier, both in Pakistan. The survey of the two glaciers is very different. Our aim was to determine the impact of visitation on each of the two glaciers. Therefore, we collected quantitative data on visitor numbers and water quality data based on field measurements. We also sampled sediments from glacial lakes in both areas to determine the presence of microplates. The results of the study of the water status in the surface waters and in the main glacier runoff were compared with the 2006 survey. The results of the study show large differences between the less-visited and the heavily-visited glacier in terms of water quality and other environmental conditions. The importance of mountaineering to the well-being of local communities was also investigated through interviews, which show how important mountaineering is to household budgets.
Kelly O'hara
Grueau, Cedric; Ventura, Kiara; Tavira, Ana; Rodrigues, Armanda; Brás, Rui
Abstract/Description
Nature-based tourism, including hiking, has gained global popularity, yet the technological infrastructure supporting hikers and tourism stakeholders remains fragmented and underdeveloped. Additionally, outdoor activities often fail to facilitate deeper engagement with local economies, heritage, or ecosystems. This study addresses these gaps by proposing an integrated framework, based on international standards, for storing and accessing geographic data on trails. This framework has been used to support diverse applications for trail management and user engagement, with a focus on Portugal. To demonstrate the framework’s potential, we developed “Tell-me a Trail,” a mobile application designed to enhance the hiking experience through interactive multimedia narratives. The application was tested on the “Veredas do Vale do Beijame Selvagem” trail in Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain range. This trail was selected because Beijames Valley is one of the most interesting alluvial valleys in the Serra da Estrela, due to its unique geomorphology (geological contact zone between shale and granite), with very limited human intervention, where a traditional mountain agriculture is still in full development. It features a botanical reserve of Quercus Rotundifolia, among other specific characteristics, that supports forest conservation, local economies, and community well-being. The narratives embedded in the app focus on themes such as mountain economies and activities, which are critical for regional conservation. By leveraging mobile technology, the app delivers context-aware storytelling, notifying hikers of relevant elements during their journey. For example, the description of relevant points of interest about recent wildfires highlight how the cultivation of endemic tree species helped contain the spread of fire, fostering a deeper connection between hikers and the mountain environment. This approach not only enriches the hiking experience but also promotes awareness of local heritage and ecosystems. Future work includes expanding the platform to support hikers with disabilities and adapting trails to improve accessibility for users with special needs. By integrating technology with nature-based tourism, this study contributes to sustainable tourism practices, offering a model for improving visitor engagement while supporting local economies and conservation efforts.
Communities-in-places and welcoming practices in low mountains: place-based solutions for thriving life contexts and sustainable tourism models
Duna Viezzoli
Bravaglieri, Simona; de La Torre Fornell, Anna; De Simone, Francesca; Lo Verso, Andrea Carlo; Calcagno, Monica
Abstract/Description
The contribution aims to show how good territory and community governance practices by administrators, decision-makers and civil society claim for a re-balancing of needs of both tourists and local communities, particularly (but not only) in settings of high landscape value, and in protected natural areas. Research findings in “montagna di mezzo” -low mountain- contexts, in Belluno province in Italy, shows how there is no valid model: instead, place-based solutions to care for residents and their relation with the local environment can lead to welcoming practices more than top-down tourism models. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews, the mapping of good practices, innovative organisational forms, and heritage communities for regeneration through cultural and environmental resources was taken forward. Main challenges for the low mountain and its inhabitants, such as lack of cooperation between administrative units, spoiling of places and communities caused by unsustainable tourism practices closeby, scarcity of opportunities and services for young people and families, increase depopulation and detachment. Inquiries in the area show clearly that resilient solutions are already in place, often carried out by civil society, volunteers, activists, resistant young groups, who try to move and thrive beyond the lack of administrative support, scarcity of resources or fragmentation. Some example can be mentioned, like the innovative model of “Biodistretto Terre Bellunesi”, which presents itself as “a community, open, and inclusive project, based on agreements and social cohesion between producers, local institutions, bodies and foundations, tour operators, schools, research centres, associations, committees, individual citizens”. Or “Consulta Giovani Cadore” which aims to “respond to the need to share and implement ideas and projects that give a voice to young people, making them discover the great potential of their valleys while trying to counter depopulation”. Such initiatives embody the perspective of communities-in-places, which urges the importance of ensuring basic rights and citizens’ services, called “the economy of everyday life” (Barbera & Membretti 2024). These must be put at the center of the strategic planning for the low mountains, so as to guarantee a long-term social and environmental sustainability, and virtuous models for slow tourism and a fond welcoming culture, through place-based, community and activism practices.
