Gentle tourism in the National Park

Diploma thesis at Johannes Kepler University Linz Linz The working hypothesis underlying this study was: An increased commitment of the National Park Administration to gentle tourism in the region increases the acceptance of this large protected area in the local population. The comparison with other studies shows an endorsement of this hypothesis. The empirical study in the NP Gesäuse region yields the following picture: The activities of the Nationalpark Gesäuse GmbH are perceived by everyone and are pursued with more or less strong interest. Nevertheless, these activities are understood less as their own benefit but rather as an offer for guests. It is considered positive that this offer exists, but in its execution particularly innovative projects (e.g. Weidendom, NP pavilion) cause very different reactions among the population. It is interesting that typing is hardly possible. Even within the individual areas (politics, tourism, agriculture, etc.) there are very mixed perspectives. Political representatives are most positive about NP and gentle tourism in the region, with the opinion that engagement could or should be stepped up (see quote Dr. Scherzinger, above). The biggest skepticism about the gentle tourism in the NP is the nature conservation representatives. Although they consider the activities in environmental education to be very useful, increasing the frequency of visitors means further interventions and disturbances in nature. It is striking that the individual representatives from the tourism sector, but also from agriculture, take very different positions. This divergence seems to be driven by the different involvement of the individual representatives in the activities of the NP Gesäuse. Another subdivision is the topographical conditions. The Buchau saddle (between St. Gallen and Weng) represents a natural barrier along which the spirits separate. It may also be due to the spatial distance from the NP infrastructure facilities that the municipalities of St. Gallen and Landl make their decisions on their own and that identification with the NP region is low. From an economic point of view, the individual communities are still competing with each other. The NP can function as a link if it also engages in the social environment.