Ecotourism – Sustainable Tourism in National Parks and Protected Areas Banff National Park in Canada and Nationalpark Gesäuse in Austria – a Comparison TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction...................................................................................................... - 6 - Executive Summary................................................................................................ - 7 - 2 Tourism ........................................................................................................... - 9 - 2.1 Definition and Evolution of Tourism.......................................................... - 9 - 2.2 Trends in Tourism .................................................................................. - 10 - 2.2.1 Growth of Mass Tourism................................................................. - 12 - 2.2.2 Contemporary and Alternative Tourism........................................... - 12 - 2.3 Growing Environmental Consciousness in Tourism ............................... - 13 - 3 Sustainable Development.............................................................................. - 14 - 3.1 Sustainable Development – Development for Future Generations ........ - 15 - 3.2 Sustainability as a Key Element............................................................. - 15 - 3.3 Sustainability in Tourism ........................................................................ - 16 - 3.4 Sustainable Tourism and its Role in Sustainable Development ............. - 17 - 4 Ecotourism .................................................................................................... - 19 - 4.1 Definition of Ecotourism ......................................................................... - 19 - 4.2 Origin and Differentiation of Ecotourism................................................. - 20 - 4.3 Characteristics of and Requirements for an Ecotourism Business......... - 21 - 4.4 Relevant Types of Ecotourism................................................................ - 23 - 4.4.1 Mass Tourism and Alternative Tourism........................................... - 23 - 4.4.2 Nature-Based Tourism versus Ecotourism...................................... - 24 - 4.4.3 Adventure Tourism versus Ecotourism ........................................... - 25 - 4.5 Ecotourists ............................................................................................. - 26 - 5 National Parks and Protected Areas.............................................................. - 28 - 5.1 What are Protected Areas?.................................................................... - 29 - 5.2 Origin of Park Systems........................................................................... - 30 - 5.3 IUCN – International Categorization of Parks and Protected Areas ....... - 31 - 5.4 Trends towards Sustainable Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas...... - 34 - 5.4.1 Rising Educational Levels and Demand for Travel.......................... - 34 - 5.4.2 Importance of Service Quality ......................................................... - 34 - 5.4.3 Proliferation of Travel Options......................................................... - 35 - 5.5 Benefits of Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas................................. - 36 - 5.5.1 Enhancing Economic Opportunity and Social Benefit ..................... - 36 - 5.5.2 Protection of the Natural and Cultural Heritage............................... - 37 - 5.5.3 Enhancing Quality of Life in the Host Community ........................... - 38 - 5.6 Negative Impacts of Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas .................. - 38 - 5.6.1 Costs of Tourism............................................................................. - 38 - 5.6.2 Risks of Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas .............................. - 39 - 5.7 Tourism Management in Parks and Protected Areas............................. - 40 - 5.7.1 Creating a Tourism Management Strategy...................................... - 41 - 5.7.2 The Park Management Plan............................................................ - 42 - 5.8 Why do We Need Parks and Protected Areas? ..................................... - 44 - 5.8.1 Protecting Ecological Processes..................................................... - 44 - 5.8.2 Protecting Biodiversity..................................................................... - 45 - 5.8.3 Centres for Research and Education .............................................. - 45 - 6 Parks Canada – The Canadian National Park System.................................. - 46 - 6.1 Historic Facts about Parks Canada........................................................ - 46 - 6.2 Parks Canada as an Organization.......................................................... - 49 - 6.2.1 Parks Canada under Fire! ............................................................... - 50 - - 1 - 6.2.2 Planning for Ecological Integrity...................................................... - 51 - 6.2.3 Building Capacity for Learning and Education................................. - 53 - 6.2.4 The Need for Active Management and Restoration ........................ - 55 - 6.3 The Canadian Mentality ......................................................................... - 56 - 7 Nationalparks Austria – the Austrian National Park System.......................... - 57 - 7.1 Historical Development .......................................................................... - 57 - 7.2 Austria’s National Parks ......................................................................... - 59 - 7.3 Economic Situation of National Parks in Austria..................................... - 61 - 7.4 Austrian National Parks and Tourism..................................................... - 62 - 7.4.1 Visitor Management ........................................................................ - 64 - 7.4.2 Ecotourism in the Alps – Ecotourism for Austrian National Parks ... - 65 - 8 Banff National Park in Canada and Nationalpark Gesäuse in Austria – a Comparison .......................................................................................................... - 67 - 8.1 Nationalpark Gesäuse – Facts and Figures ........................................... - 69 - 8.2 Banff National Park – Facts and Figures................................................ - 70 - 8.3 Recreational Experience ........................................................................ - 71 - 8.4 Change of View...................................................................................... - 72 - 8.5 How to Compare? .................................................................................. - 74 - 8.6 The Influence of Size.............................................................................. - 75 - 8.7 Ecosystem-Based Management............................................................. - 76 - 8.7.1 Ecosystem Models.......................................................................... - 76 - 8.7.2 Ecoregions of Banff National Park .................................................. - 77 - 8.7.3 Ecoregions in Nationalpark Gesäuse.............................................. - 78 - 8.8 Zoning as a Measure of Visitor Management......................................... - 80 - 8.8.1 Zoning in Banff National Park.......................................................... - 81 - 8.8.1.1 Zone 1: Special Preservation....................................................... - 81 - 8.8.1.2 Zone 2: Wilderness Area ............................................................. - 81 - 8.8.1.3 Zone 3: Natural Environment....................................................... - 81 - 8.8.1.4 Zone 4: Outdoor Recreation ........................................................ - 82 - 8.8.1.5 Zone 5: Park Services ................................................................. - 82 - 8.8.2 Zoning in Nationalpark Gesäuse..................................................... - 82 - 8.8.2.1 Zone 1: Natural Zone................................................................... - 82 - 8.8.2.2 Zone 2: Conservation Zone ......................................................... - 83 - 8.9 Variety of Ecological Problems in Banff National Park and Nationalpark Gesäuse............................................................................................................ - 84 - 8.9.1 Trans Canada Highway................................................................... - 84 - 8.9.2 Traffic in the Gesäuse..................................................................... - 85 - 8.10 Differentiations in Wildlife-related Management Problems between Banff National Park and Nationalpark Gesäuse ......................................................... - 86 - 8.11 Regulations in the Backcountry.............................................................. - 87 - 8.12 Overall Ecological Challenges for Banff National Park........................... - 89 - 8.12.1 Altering the Composition of the Forest............................................ - 90 - 8.12.2 Decrease of Glaciers....................................................................... - 90 - 8.13 Ecological Challenges in Austria ............................................................ - 90 - 8.13.1 The Decrease of Glaciers in Austria................................................ - 91 - 8.13.2 A Threatening Realization............................................................... - 91 - Two Dead as Floods Hit Southern Austria...........................................................