Recreation and Tourism Management in the Protected Natural Areas of New Zealand and Mexico: A study of institutional arrangements.

Rhodes, A. R.

Lincoln University, Department of Conservation, National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) Mexico

2005

Lincoln University

Lincoln University Research Library: roger.dawson@lincoln.ac.nz

This thesis undertakes an institutional analysis of tourism and recreation management in the protected natural area systems of New Zealand and Mexico. The aim of the thesis is to compare the institutional arrangements of both countries and suggest from the New Zealand experience lessons that can be applied to the Mexican context. The institutional arrangements framework used in this research includes the following eight variables of analysis: historical and traditional customs and values, legislation and regulations, policies and guidelines, administrative structures, key participants and actors, economic and financial arrangements, political structures and processes, and management techniques. The agencies in charge of the protected natural areas are the Department of Conservation (DOC) for the New Zealand case and the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) for the Mexican case.

A qualitative approach was used throughout the research, because this research method looks at relationships within a system and has been used to study organisational functioning. The research design of this study is deductive, because the research has a bank of pertinent and well-delineated concepts (determined by the institutional arrangements framework), and takes a more explanatory position involving various, comparable cases. This institutional analysis adopts a thin perspective because most of the data collected comes from documents or peoples’ descriptions of how things should be done according to laws, policies and regulations. Data was gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and extensive archival research. More interviews were carried out for the Mexican case, due to the lack of written information available for analysis.

The institutional arrangements framework applied in this thesis has helped understand how tourism and recreation in protected natural areas works in the context of two different countries. An institutional arrangements framework gives a general picture of ‘how things work’ and ‘why they work in a certain way’. The framework is useful to draw a holistic picture of the reality analysed, and also to strategically plan changes within the institutional arrangements by affecting one, or several, of the key variables of the framework.

The institutional arrangements around tourism and recreation in protected areas define the management strategies and practices applied to manage these issues. These management strategies and practices are not defined exclusively by the agency (the natural resource agency), but are also the result of the interaction, influence and public negotiation with other institutions (rules) and entities (players). To improve the management of tourism and recreation and to have a long-term effect, the agency must

influence changes in several of the variables of the institutional arrangements and not only the management techniques.

The New Zealand experience with regard to tourism and recreation management can provide valuable information that can assist in influencing the present institutional arrangements of Mexico. Lessons from New Zealand include issues related to indigenous values and customs, policies, administrative structures, key participants and management techniques. Mexico, by opening itself to international experiences, can improve its capability for better handling the growing development of tourism and recreation in its protected natural area system. Tourism and recreation are contemporary trends and therefore Mexico must now construct the basis for long-term institutional arrangements which will be able to balance the paradox of preservation and use, now and in the future.

Keywords:

Cross cultural comparison, Management, Outdoors, Parks, Recreation, Tourism, New Zealand, Mexico, Department of Conservation, Natural resources, Environment, Parks, National parks

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Cross-sectional

International

Outdoor Recreation

Tourists

Outdoors

National Parks

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

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November 9, 2011

June 27, 2012