Nature Tourists:Case Study from the Icelandic
Highlands
Gunnþóra Ólafsdóttir, geographerLecture for Nature Based Tourism
April 3rd, 2003
In the absence of an attractive environment, there would be little tourism. Ranging from the basic attractions of sun, sea and sand to the undoubted appeal of historic sites and structures, the environment is the foundation of the tourist industry.
Mathieson & Wall 1982: 97
The product is image, ideas and associations. The tourist is like Muhamed, who goes to the mountain: Mountains will scarcely be moved. However the characteristics of the mountain have to be preserved to conjure up Muhamed’s travels. Benediktsson 2000:15
Tourist arrivals to Iceland 1972-2000
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
350000
1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
How important are the following facilities/ characteristics for you while travelling in this area?
1 2 3 4 5
Picnic places
Designed footpaths
To be able to camp wherever you want
To be able to camp where you don't see others
Walk-ways
Special markings of places of interest
To have few other tourists around
Campsites with facilities
Marked walking routes
To be able to walk without seeing structures
To see no trace of others having been there
That there is no trace of off-road driving
To be able to enjoy peace
To be able to enjoy unspoiled nature
Fjallabak
Lónsöræfi
Not at allimportant
ImportantVery
important
In your oppinion which of the following may be present in an area for it to be considered ‘unspoiled’ nature/wilderness?
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Hotel/guesthouses
Damaged natural phenomena
Damaged vegetation
Traces of off-road driving
Electrical power lines
Dams/power plants
Reservoirs
Roads
Fences
Service centers
Designed footpaths
Tracks
Trails made by walkers
Mountain huts
Fjallabak
Lónsöræfi
%
What do you think about the following facilites in the area?
1 2 3 4 5
Power plants
Fences
Gas stations
Hotels/Guesthouses
Shops/restaurants
Bridges across rivers
Built-up gravel roads
Hard surface roads
Gravel roads
Campsites
Mountain huts
Lavatories
Fjallabak
Lónsöræfi
veryunappropriate acceptable
veryappropriate
15% Urbanists
67% Neutralists
18% Purists
10% Urbanists
43% Neutralists
46% Purists
Fjallabak Lónsöræfi
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