The appreciation of nature and landscape by tourism service providers and visitors in the Ore Mountains (Germany)

Abstract

The paper presents empirical studies on the appreciation of nature and landscape in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony, Germany) by tourism service providers (TSP) and visitors. Attractive landscape and experience of nature are the most important reasons to visit this region and to spend leisure time there. Particularly mountain meadows, raised bogs and mixed forests are highly appreciated. Deforestation, industrial development and the decline of biodiversity would reduce attractiveness for visitors. We also assessed whether the tourism sector is prepared to contribute to the funding of nature conservation and landscape management. Use of general tax revenues is favoured, but other modes would also be accepted, e.g. a nature tax. Willingness to pay (WTP) is ranging between €0.75 and €1.36 per guest per night by TSP, or between €1.06 and €2.73 per day by visitors. With respect to landscape preference and WTP we found in some cases significant differences among visitors, depending on region of residence, age and education level. A major part of the annual costs for nature conservation and landscape could be covered by public funds (taxes), if the results of the WTP approach were understood as a sign of societal demand and a call to action.

Toward understanding tourist landscape. a comparative study of locals’ and visitors’ perception in selected destinations in Poland and Greece

“…The respondents justified their responses mostly based on the attractions these landscapes have to offer, and especially those connected to the natural dimension of the landscape. This outcome accords with long-standing, broadly held lay conceptualizations of landscape, where its natural dimension predominates (Bastian et al 2015). The outcome also accords with both the principal and the more specific tourism motives in our case studies, all of which place an emphasis on nature -whether they refer to seaside tourism (3Ss), or upland tourism (forests, national parks, ponds, etc.…”

Sustainability and Competitiveness of Agriculture in Mountain Areas: A Willingness to Pay (WTP) Approach

“…Sali et al [16] found that a relationship between high real estate values and the presence of agricultural mountain landscape exists. As part of the multifunctionality of farms and landscape valorization, the maintenance of human influence, biodiversity-rich, so called semi-natural ecosystems as pastures and mountain meadows must be guaranteed, but this surely needs considerable financial means [17].…”

Assessing the Recreation Value of Urban Woodland Using the Ecosystem Service Approach in Two Forests in the Munich Metropolitan Region

“…This value was based on an average value calculated from a literature review for a study in Remscheid [56]. This amount fits well to an estimated daily price for a membership in a gym in the Munich area or within the WTP range described in a study from the Ore Mountains for a day ticket to visit an area of high nature conservation value [57].…”