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Abstract |
Managing recreational use in conservation areas targets the outcomes of outdoor recreation.A worldwide aim of conservation area managersis to enhance the benefits of outdoor recreation while preventing or mitigatingitsnegative impacts (Driver, 2008). Managers are, however, not able to create these outcomes on behalf of visitors. They can only provide opportunities –environments and activities–that will encourage desired outcomes and improve visitors’ experiences. Therefore, we need to understand how conservation area visitorsperceive and interact withthe settingsthey encounter. Geographically accurate information on recreational outcomes aids this understanding and helps managers focus on specific areas of concern. This study uses novel spatial techniques to more accurately measure and analyze visitor experiences. Field research was conducted in Oulanka National Park (NP) and its surrounding areas. Oulanka NP is located in northeastern Finland near the Russian border and the Arctic Circle. It is the fourth most visited national park in Finland with approximately 200,000 annual visits. The park allows numerous outdoor activities, including: hiking, canoeing, skiing, fishing and wildlife viewing. Despite the park’s pristine landscape, recreation infrastructure in Oulanka NP is well developed. |
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