Complexity in balancing conservation and tourism in protected areas: Contemporary issues and beyond

Abstract

This study highlights ongoing issues in protected area (PA) tourism and presents management suggestions for PAs, given the growing popularity of PA tourism. This study takes a conceptual approach to discuss the ongoing issues within, and the sustainable future of, PAs. The expansion of PAs is a biodiversity conservation strategy. As PAs expand globally to promote conservation, new opportunities for ecotourism development will also evolve, further contributing to the challenge of balancing conservation and tourism. As many PAs operate without management plans, the development of regulations to foster sustainability is necessary, which is even more important now that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted PA tourism, challenging PAs across the globe. This study provides an overview of PA tourism, discusses ongoing issues, and offers strategies for managerial improvement. Given the substantial growth of PA tourism, the relationship between PAs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be explored further.

Historical Agricultural Landforms—Central European Bio-Cultural Heritage Worthy of Attention

“…In general, visually valuable landscapes under protection generally tend to attract tourism. Conservation efforts and the economic development of protected areas are promoted, but the sustainability of this approach to conservation is questionable [93]. Heritage-focussed planning mostly prioritizes tourism, as practised, for example, in Greece, which is regarded as insufficient for creating future sustainable landscapes [94].…”

Visitor demographics, site‐type and activities determine the occurrence and severity of environmental impacts at nature‐based tourist destinations

“…Sites protected for conservation are popular and nature is a key motivation for tourism, which often conflicts with conservation status (Eagles et al, 2002; Jones et al, 2021; Kc, 2021; King et al, 2012; Reinius & Fredman, 2007; Spenceley et al, 2021). Participation in outdoor activities and NBT has long been increasing in countries such as the United States (Outdoor‐Foundation, 2022) and Australia (Tourism & Transport Forum, 2017) and has been particularly evident since the COVID‐19 pandemic (Askew & Bowker, 2018; Beery et al, 2021).…”

“…Recreation-and tourism-related activities are commonly cited as issues for protected sites (Eagles et al, 2002;European Environmental Agency, 2018;Jones et al, 2021;Kc, 2021;Spenceley et al, 2021).…”

“…Tourism impacts contribute to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, potentially undermining the attractiveness of tourism destinations (Chen, 2010; Huybers & Bennett, 2003; Wong et al, 2021). Recreation‐ and tourism‐related activities are commonly cited as issues for protected sites (Eagles et al, 2002; European Environmental Agency, 2018; Jones et al, 2021; Kc, 2021; Spenceley et al, 2021). The environmental effects of tourism can be evident at a local‐scale but broader/landscape‐scale interactions are more difficult to identify (Macdonald & Wester, 2021).…”