Tourism Experience Innovation in Nature Parks

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Abstract

Introduction Provision of tourism experience products and services in connection with Danish nature parks (https://www.friluftsraadet.dk/danskenaturparker) are far from abundant but presents a possible local development potential in several peripheral and semi-peripheral areas of Denmark. This paper discuss the attitudes towards, and potentials and barriers for innovations of new experience services and products tied to Danish naturals parks .It focuses in particular on barriers and potentials for such development among local private companies (e.g. landowners and existing tourism and service companies) and voluntary organizations. Theoretical approach Drawing on tourism entrepreneurship and innovation literature (e.g. Ateljevich & Doorne, 2000; Solvoll et al. 2015; Sundbo et al, 2007), experience economy (e.g. Andersson, 2007; Sundbo & Sørensen, 2013), practice (e.g. Pantzar & Shove, 2010; Warde, 2005) and actor network theory (e.g. Van Der Duim et al, 2013) the paper builds an analytical framework for interpreting potentials and barriers for locally based experience innovation activities connected to nature parks. Inspired by Pantzar and Shove (2010) this framework focuses on the possible innovation practices resulting from combinations of a) local material conditions of nature parks; b) entrepreneurs images of nature parks, and c) their know-what and know-how of developing nature park related experiences.The theoretical framework relates these elements of practices to the role of local actor networks and the role of nature parks in these networks. We argue that this provides a relevant understanding of the development of interests and potentials for locally based innovation activities in and around nature parks. Method Empirically the paper focuses on the Danish Nature Park Åmosen (NPÅ). NPÅ is located on Zeeland and is an area of important and unique historical, natural and geological values. It consists of lakes, bogs, moraine landscapes and contains several historicalsites.The empirical research is related to the research and development project “Nye Veje i Naturpark Åmosen” (“New Paths in Nature Park Åmosen”; funded by Nordea Fonden; see https://nordeafonden.dk/nyheder/flere-gaester-til-vestsjaellands-natur-og-kulturskatte). This project aims, among other things, to incite and support local actors within and around NPÅ to develop new experience products and services.This paper presents the first steps in this process as it seeks to identify potentials and barriers for such development. For this, a number of qualitative exploratory interviews will be made during May and June 2019. Interviewees include landowners, service companies, voluntary organizations as well as keypersons in the administrative organization of NPÅ and relevant municipalactors.Interviews cover topics such as interviewees’ perceptions of NPÅ and the development potential surrounding it, as well as their participation in different relevant networks that may affect their interests, possibilities and approaches to taking part in new experience developments.Expected findingsWe expect the findings to provide knowledge of experience entrepreneurship practices that may exist or possibly develop in and around NPÅ and how networks can affect this development.Further, the practical implications of this will be discussed. These practical implication will guide the research and development project onward and will be of relevance also in other Danish and foreign Nature Park contexts.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2019
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event28th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research: Tourism and Hospitality at a Crossroads - Roskilde Universitet, Roskilde, Denmark
Duration: 23 Oct 201925 Oct 2019
Conference number: 28
https://events.ruc.dk/28thNordic-Symposium-on-Tourism-and-Hospitality

Symposium

Symposium28th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research
Number28
LocationRoskilde Universitet
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityRoskilde
Period23/10/201925/10/2019
OtherTourism and hospitality at a crossroads<br/><br/>The tourism and hospitality sector has succeeded in many respects; globally tourism is experiencing major growth both in numbers of visitors and income generated. The sector has also become more innovative and continuously develops new and more varied experiences, which also contributes further to inter-cultural interaction. Lately, the growth has been most significant in cities, but tourism also contributes significantly to the development of peripheral rural districts, often as the only industrial possibility. For these reasons, tourism and hospitality as an economic sector as well as an academic field is gaining increasing attention.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>However, the successes also leads to dilemmas. Tourism takes a toll on the world’s natural resources and people often behave less responsively when they travel than when they are at home. This raises questions, not only about how more climate friendly tourism options can be developed, but also about how tourist decision-making and behavior can and should be changed for the better. A part of the solution to such problems might be to make tourists travel less and to destinations that are closer to their homes. This puts domestic tourism back on the agenda. Increasingly debates about over-tourism have also risen, as tourism in some destinations has reached a level where it threatens the inhabitants’ social life. This challenges the default growth agenda among tourism planners and decision makers. Other destinations do not benefit from tourism growth at all; here we may talk about under-tourism. Tourism as a distinct activity defined, for example, as one where people stay overnight away from their home is also dissolving. Traditional tourism, leisure activities and even work are fusing together, while technology allows people to travel virtually, without physical mobility. These new developments create new opportunities, but also new challenges.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Thus it can be argued that tourism and hospitality and tourism and hospitality research is at a crossroads. Some things may have to change, while others must remain in order for the tourism and hospitality sectors to continue thriving. What are new roads to take? How may old ones be developed? How does the industry, local communities, policy makers and other stakeholders find a balance between economic development and environmental strain? And what is the role of research in answering these questions? These are some of the questions that the 28th Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality held in Roskilde, Denmark will emphasize.<br/><br/>
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