DO VISITORS TO THE JIZERA MOUNTAINS PLA BEHAVE SUSTAINABLY? COMPARISON OF THE SUMMER AND WINTER SEASONS

Abstract

The paper presents results of research focused on sustainability of behaviour of tourists and visitors of the Jizera Mountains Protected Landscape Area. It builds on a sociological survey conducted on a representative sample of 733 tourists from Czechia and foreign visitors using CAPI in August 2021 and January 2022. Our paper focuses on the analysis of mobility behaviour and selected activities in the protected area and potential for behaviour change in favour of more sustainable alternatives, including choice of means of transport to and around the territory, various services and activities in the area, and impacts of selected measures on the behaviour change; furthermore, differences between summer and winter seasons are compared. The paper also provides data on respondents' awareness regarding local specifics and possible activities and mobility services in the area. The presented research results are a part of comprehensive research to develop guidelines for the so-called "Mobility plans for environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs)". Mobility plans should help authorities conceptually develop more sustainable forms of tourism and thus alleviate the pressure on the environment and its protection as such while respecting the specifics of the protected areas in Czechia.