University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna

Management frameworks for sustainable tourism

Alexandra Jiricka, Arne Arnberger

International Workshop, Trento 11/06/2010

Contents
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Visitor management frameworks for protected area management LAC (Limits of Acceptable Change) VERP (Visitor Experience and Resource Protection) ROS (Recreation Opportunity Spectrum) Management frameworks for sustainable tourism TOMM (Tourism Optimisation Management Model)
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User conflicts and conflicts between nature and recreation

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Photos: Arnberger/Mertz/Krone
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Carrying capacities
The concept of carrying capacity is intended to safeguard the quality of (protected) area resources and visitor/tourist experience. Visitor carrying capacity: the type and level of visitor/tourism that can be accommodated while sustaining acceptable resource an social conditions that complement the purpose of a setting (NPS, 1997, modified) With tourism / recreation, there is an ecological capacity, and a social capacity (the impact on visitor experiences) (Wagar, 1964)
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Resource and social impacts Recreation use

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Recreation/tourism use: How much is too much?

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The magic number for one area does not exist! Or does? With visitor/tourism use change is inevitable Acceptable change
Cessford 2002

Area objectives, standards, indicators

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LAC: Limits of Acceptable Change

1985; US Forest Service (Stankey et al., 1985) How much decline in resource condition and quality of visitor experience is acceptable? Compromise between protection of resources and unrestricted access to resources for recreational use Fw for assessing and managing recreation impacts than strict cc determinations Elements Description of desired future conditions (resource conditions, visitor experience opportunities) Identification of indicators (measures of resource or social conditions) Establishment of standards (a level beyond which change is unacceptable) Formulation of monitoring techniques Development of management actions In a participatory context
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Stankey, 1979

VERP: Visitor Experience and Resource Protection

1993; US Parks Service (NPS, 1993, 1997) A planning and management framework that focuses on visitor use impacts on the visitor experience and the park resources (visitor behaviour, use levels, types of use, location and timing of use) Adaptation of LAC focus on visitor experience; Addresses a wide variety of resource settings Goal driven planning: desired conditions 9 elements (foundation to action); results in series of zones with indicators and standards Useful for an organization with single purpose and mandate Includes public participation (public involvement strategy)
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VERP: Visitor Experience and Resource Protection

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Manning 2002

VERP
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Warzecha et al., 2001. The George Wright Forum

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VERP
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Arnberger & Haider (2007) J Leis. Res.

VERP
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Probability of use displacement

Part-worth utility

-1

-2

-3 0 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 Number of persons

Number of persons on the trail

Arnberger & Haider (2007) J Leis. Res.

ROS: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

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1979; US Forest Service (Clark & Stankey; 1979) Zoning tool linking supply with demand; for recreation planning and area management; combination with LAC & VERP it ensures that a range of recreation opportunities are provided to the public 3 components of recreation mgt.: (1) Setting (opportunity); (2) Activity; (3) Experience Definition of 6 land classes (criteria: remoteness, size, ) (research framework: definition of carrying capacity per class; definition of indicators, standards) Primitive class scarcely given in Central Europe!

ROS: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

Hiking Mountain bicycling Horse riding Visitor Experience Social Physical Managerial Setting Activities
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ROS: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

Plae, 1996; Haider, 2007

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Physical
Trails

Very difficult Difficult Easy Strict restrictions

Managerial
Use restrictions

Moderate restrictions Min. restrictions No restrict No / few contacts Moderate contacts Many contacts

Social
Visitor encounters

ROS
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Plae, 1996; www.apleco.com

VERP - application
The Gesuse National Park Founded in 2002; IUCN Cat II Area size: 11.000 hectares River Enns, high mountains (2.400 m asl). Adaptation of the VERP- framework; part of the visitor management plan Zoning (adaptation of ROS) Developing of goals Developing of indicators, standards (draft) Visitor/area survey Work in progress
Zechner, 2009; Arnberger et al., 2009
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Indicators & Standards

Indicators = measures of resource and social conditions
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Criteria: - meaningful: Does the indicator tell what is wanted to know? Will there be a management response? - measured cost- and staff-effectively, accurately, objective, repeatedly - reliable: can the indicator be measured reliably? - sensitive: does the indicator act as an early warning? - reflect the relationship between the amount/type of use occurring - tracks trends in conditions over time - can the indicator be measured with minimal impact to the resource or visitors experience? - related to user concerns (social indicators) - responsive to management control/action within a reasonable time frame
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Indicators & Standards

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Standards = describes a level beyond which change is unacceptable - absolute limits, not warnings; if standard exceeded or close to be exceeded management measures have to be undertaken - may reflect existing conditions or future targets - vary between zones - priority - monitoring/evaluation provide means for revision/improvement - setting standards is often a value-based, management decision, sometimes only a real participatory approach

14.06.2010

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Indicators & Standards

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Indicator Number of encounters with other parties

Standard No more than 6 encounters with another party

Indicator Number of encounters with other parties per Sunday on trail A

Standard 80% probability of no more than 6 encounters with another party per Sunday on trail A

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Indicators & Standards

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Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3 Subzone 1c

Subzone 1a Subzone 1b Indicator A Standard Ind. A Indicator B Standard Ind. B Indicator C Standard Ind. C <20 <5 >60% >80%

>90%

<4
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Standards & indicators

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reactive
Undesired/unacceptable conditions Desired/acceptable conditions/ ranges (compromise)

0%

100%

proactive

Actions required
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Management frameworks for sustainable tourism

Nature conservation (federal agencies)
Remote protected areas; focus on parks Natural resource conditions Visitor experience Zoning Area management

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Tourism (tourism industry)

Rural/urban areas, focus on destination Economic impacts/market Local population Customer satisfaction Cultural impacts Environmental conditions Optimum performance Stakeholder involvement

Different emphasis, different indicators

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nature sports

image
natural scenery
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Few other economic sectors are as dependent on natural surroundings as the tourism industry.expectations Cultural

landscapes recreation Hotels enjoy scenery and profit inderectly in their offer from natural resources: key factors for tourists
Sports facilities are directly dependent on natural resources to come to a destination - Trial and infrastructure led sport (e.g. hiking, golf) (e.g. tourism Austria - Sports directly dependent on natural resources (e.g. water sports, diving, 2009) skiing)

landscape How can tourism industry phase the challenge to find the happy medium between use and abuse?
Both mandatory and voluntary measures have been applied to balance the consumption of natural resources.

reality

Sustainable Tourism development in marginal regions special requirements

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High potential for sustainable tourism (far from reaching limits, in many cases high value of nature and cultural values) Problems with societal development tourism as economic force needed Need for a destination management framework ! Sustainable development strategy Involvement of stakeholders is essential to achieve better results (governance) TOMM = combining all the desired elements

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TOMM
Tourism Optimisation Management Model is

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all about monitoring and managing the long term health of the
tourism industry and the resources upon which it depends. Developed and proven to be successful on Kangaroo Island (AUS)
(Jack, E. 2002)

www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/

Initializing phase
Information: - Trends - positioning and brand - identification of values - (economic) alternatives
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Indicators: Implementation phase - Environmental - Economic - Market - Experiential - Socio Cultural

Information: - Visitor survey - Resident survey - Government agency - etc.

Monitoring and response phase

www.tomm.info

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Initializing phase
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Strategic imperatives including existing policy and planning directions in the planning process Identification of community values the fundamental things which people appreciate and consider important Survey on market trends and options actual and potential buyers (including growth trends) Positioning and branding how the region wants to be known Alternative scenarios potential benefits and costs in the forecast

Where are we?

How are we seen/recognized What do we want to achieve? by others ? Who are we? How can we reach our goals ?
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Who can help us?

Destination management market trends

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Implementation phase

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Definition of desirable conditions Selection of Indicators Definition of acceptable ranges an ideal yet realistic range of measurement for each indicator which is consistent with optimal conditions (See example in this presentation later on) Bench mark (annual performance) How can we measure How can we reach our success? How can we present our our goals ? success to others/ especially tourists?
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Identification of indicators Presentation of best practice/achievements

Sustainablity criteria and certification

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Optimal Conditions Examples for Vital Villages VV-TOMM indicators

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Environment Cultural landscapes are persevered by guaranteeing their maintenance

Regional Economy Average Number of Overnight-Stays is longer than 2 nights

Marketing

Experiences at the destination

Social cultural aspects Locals feel their living space enriched and more attractive by new infrastructure and increased activities Residents are able to access additional infrastructure independent from tourism seasons Maintenance of regional identity

Networking High visitor resources are used satisfaction to enhance the recognition of the tourism product Broad recognition of the destination and its products (national/ international level) Marketing based on a USP Clients are able to experience the USP during their stay in the region. The majority of visitors would recommend the destination to others

High number of tourists uses public transportation

Incentives and packages attract visitors in several seasons The share of local employment within the tourism industry is growing

The majority of tourism operators have implemented environmental standards

Monitoring and Response Phase

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Monitoring program the way in which the information is collected and stored over a period of time Identification of poor performing indicators which did not work.. ? Exploration of Cause/Effect Relationships Identification of results requiring a response where do we have to adapt, modify, create alternative scenarios and/or solutions Management Response options

Did we reach our goals ?

What can we improve ?

How can we make improvements ?

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Finally do not forget to let others know how good=sustainable we are!

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One Example of the Monitoring Programm Environment

High number of tourists uses public transportation

Arrivals by public transport

40-60%

Percentage of offers with relevance for tourists (rate of frequency by tourists)

55-70%

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Reasons for adapting TOMM for the Vital Villages:

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TOMM is a flexible system important for start-up options Strong stakeholder involvement is the core element through the identification of common values! Ideal for the vital villages which should transfer authenticity Definition of optimum conditions which provide orientation No good and bad polarization but strategies involving all locals Constant adaptation to the development process through response system Possibility to react early enough not only when reaching certain limits VV-TOMM =desired conditions and indicators adapted to the needs of marginal areas!!

VV-TOMM shall fit perfectly to the needs of the vital villages association VV-TOMM is the first international application apart from AUS!
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VV-TOMM What do we want to achieve? Who can help us? How are our territories perceived by others ? Did we reach our goals ?
How are we seen/recognized by others ?
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Sustainabilty means:
Assuring long term success Steady improvements Ability to react and change management

What can we improve ?

How can we make improvements ?

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Pilot region: Burgenland

Youngest and south-eastern province of Austria. 4.000km, 280.000 habitants, 171 communities. Area was dominated by the Iron Curtain. Former structural weakness, low accessibility to services, decrease of population (-2%) and jobs. Pilot Area:
- 300km, 13.500 habitants (3.300 below 19yrs.!), 10 communities
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PP9 LISTEN Pilot action

VISIONe - Vital Solar Innovation energy 3 Phase concept: 1st phase: Solar Energy Camp (LISTEN project). 2nd & 3rd phase: follow-up projects based on federal and national funding.
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Initializing phase
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Identification of community values the fundamental things which people appreciate and consider important - Development and testing of trans disciplinary concepts in knowledge-, economy- and science cooperation's Survey on market trends and options actual and potential buyers - energy-tourism as a new niche market & framework conditions Positioning and branding how the region wants to be known

Energy production is already a world-wide recognized topic for Gssing (around 50.000 visitors each year expert oriented strategy only until know)
Motto & Goals: We supply ourselves with energy FUN-Oriented approach - Awareness rising with experience & fun (target group: +12yrs.) - Make Renewable Energy Sources to something self-evident for everyday life - long-term change of behavior

Implementation phase Definition of desirable conditions Selection of Indicators REGIONAL ECONOMY

Chosen indicator for monitoring Annual average number of nights stayed Percentage of local employees in the tourism industry Where to get data from

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Tourism operators, Statistik Austria, GB (Guest Survey Austria) Statistik Austria

Annual variation in overnight stays (peak-low season) Statistik Austria, GB (Guest Survey Austria) Numbers of restaurants and hotels focusing on local products (Average) number of beds per accommodation Accommodation in traditional housing stock Tourism facilities, Nature Park, (Tourism agency) Statistik Austria Tourism agency, DMO
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Thank you for your attention!

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Alexandra Jiricka PhD, Arne Arnberger PhD Assoc. Prof. Institute for Landscape Development, Recreation planning and Nature protection University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna Alexandra.jiricka@boku.ac.at Arne.arnberger@boku.ac.at

Background The importance of fulfilling visitor expectations

Credibility and influence reduced
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image

Created by publicity campaigns stereotypes Focus on natural resources, and unused nature

expectations Destination choice

Influence on booking behavior
Turn to other destinations Alternative holiday segment

reality

Influence on recommendation

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