A Method of Overtourism Optimisation for national parks (Case: Stołowe Mts. National Park, Poland)

Abstract

The increasing popularity of national parks in recent years results from the reopened of tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasing for outdoor activities in such areas. In many national parks face overtourism which has a negative impact on nature, residents, the economy of the region and visitors. The aim is provide the new Method of Overtourism Optimisation in national park. The Method consist of nine tasks that have include the diagnose of overtourism in spatio-temporal terms by visitors and residents, the analysis of hourly visitors data and develop the Tourism Carrying Capacity of trails. The results of the survey carried out among the visitors and residents diagnosed overtourism in spatio-temporal terms, discussed with the National Park managers and the Scientific Council. The Method delivers the diagnosis and management of overtourism by determination of entry limits preceded by participation in the co-decision in residents, visitors and national park managers.