Impact assessment as part of integrated planning and management of tourism in and around natural areas (Poster paper for the IAIA Conference, 2007 in Seoul)

Warren, J, Taylor, N, Gough, J, Blaschke, P & Baily, M

International Association for Impact Assessment,

2007

IAIA

Jennifer Howell, Publications/Meetings Specialist IAIA: info@iaia.org

Research Project information:

www.cresa.co.nz

info@cresa.co.nz 

In relation to Research Project: www.srknowledge.org.nz/research-completed/management-of-tourism-and/

Tourism in New Zealand relies heavily on nature-based resources, with consequent impacts on natural areas and host communities. A research programme is developing an integrated approach for planning and management of tourism in and around natural areas, which includes considering social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts. The research programme is contributing to the national strategic research objective of a “dynamic tourism industry which is environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable”. Key issues addressed in the research include the competing requirements of tourism and outdoor recreation activities, recognition of a finite capacity for some activities at some sites, and the need to assess impacts and monitor progress towards sustainability. An iterative, multi-method research approach fed findings from interviews, literature reviews, case studies and workshops into formulation of an integrated model that guided development of a web-based tool box. The research process identified a critical need to integrate the use of tools across different dimensions of sustainable management. Impact assessment was regarded as one of six key sets of tools that should be better integrated. Individually, tools are narrowly focused and miss the benefits of integration to address complex issues of environmental management. The website is designed to facilitate access to the full range of tools and to assist capacity building in support of their use.

Keywords:

Sustainable tourism, Natural areas, Integrated management, Impact assessment, New Zealand, Case study, Tourism, Tourism Management, Impact, Outdoors, Nature, Environment

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Case study

National

Outdoor Recreation

Tourists

Outdoors

Coast and beach, Commercial, Mountains, National Parks, Non-organised, Organised, Parks - remote/backcountry, Parks - rural, Parks - urban, Rivers and lakes, Travel and Transport

Barriers, Benefits, Impacts - economic, Impacts - environmental, Impacts- social, Management, Participation, Planning, Tourism

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June 22, 2012