Social capacity and visitor satisfaction in national park tourism

摘要: National parks around the world are increasingly attracting visitors to experience pristine and unique natural environments. While increases in national park tourism provides business opportunities both adjacent communities, there several social ecological aspects that need be monitored order sustain high quality visitor experiences. Crowding is often viewed as most direct impact of outdoor recreation it fundamental since a negative evaluation certain user density. It can closely linked concept recreational carrying capacity which level use beyond impacts exceed acceptable levels. interest managers researchers because controlled through proper management actions. This paper reports study perceived crowding satisfaction front country environment along with effects trail design hiking patterns. Visitors Njupeskar waterfall Fulufjallet Swedish mountain region were surveyed between June September 2001. Approximately 36,000 during summer did three kilometer long round hike waterfall. The results show 25 percent reported some degree crowding. Positive relationships found actual levels, encounters crowding, while had effect on satisfaction. suggests model applicable at nature site characteristics. Both choice an � suggesting actions increase benefit experiences tourism.