Erholungssuchende und Besuchermanagement - Befragungsergebnisse aus dem Nationalpark Berchtesgaden

Abstract

Today the management of protection areas has to consider diverse requirements regarding its target function, which is the fulfilment of recreational needs of the public. The importance of recreation in a natural surrounding is generally growing, reflected for example in a growing number of tourists with increasing demands and in new target groups. Protected areas and regions are increasingly attractive due to their extraordinary environment compared to other destinations. This leads to social and environmental conflicts, which are to be counteracted by an effective management in the protection areas, i.e. by appropriate measures. Base for their development are the knowledge and understanding of the recreational situation in the areas. For large protection areas relevant questions are the characterisation of the visitors including their behaviour, their expectations and wishes, and reasons for their visit. These informations can lead to the application of adequate management measures. Such initiatives on visitor management have also started in the Berchtesgaden National Park over the last years. Comprehensive interviews of visitors were conducted in the years 2006 and 2007 (summer) in order to establish a knowledge base. The results support the administration of the protection area.