Metla Project 3287

Outdoor recreation demand and benefits

Duration: 2000-2006 Keywords: multiple use of forests, nonmarket valuation, outdoor recreation, recreation behavior, recreation experience, social sustainability, visitor study
Research project group: Distinct projects - Social impact of forests

Objectives

The aim of the project is to produce information about demand of outdoor recreation and its benefits to the individual and the society as a whole. Outdoor recreation demand refers to the people’s need to participate in different types of recreation activities which can be measured by number of visits to the nature times of participation in recreation activities, and recreation days or hours. Outdoor recreation demand study explains participation in recreation activities and visiting in recreation areas by sosioeconomic variables as well as travel costs and other expences. Social and psychological benefits are studied by social science methods. Benefits are also studied by economic nonmarket valuation methods in order to produce comparable values for both costs and benefits.

The objectives of the project are:

to produce nationwide information of outdoor recreation behavior in different population groups and changes in behavior, and the present and future demand of outdoor recreation;
to study the benefits gained by the use of recreation areas and services measured in monetary terms for the cost-benefit analysis. The study concerns particularly the state-owned recreation and nature conservation areas;
to measure preferences for recreation environment and to stydy meanings and choices of characteristics (scenery, biodiversity, facilities) of recreation areas.
to identify and measure social and psychological benefits of outdoor recreation gained by recreating in nature;
to study visitors, visitor satisfaction and motives in different types of recreation areas.

Results

The report 'Outdoor recreation 2000' was published in 2001 (Metla Research papers 802, 2001). It introduces, for the first time, extensive outdoor recreation statistics which cover the 15-74 years old Finnish population. The information includes, for example, tables of participation rates in outdoor activities by different population groups, distribution of recreational visits and trips to different types of areas and regions and time and money spent in outdoor recreation. Outdoor statistics from 15 regions in Finland and a report (Metla Research Papers 885) was published in 2002-2003. A visitor survey manual was published together with Metsähallitus in 2001. Several articles of economic valuation of outdoor recreation based on visitor survey data are published in two research program reports (Metla Research papers 800 and 812). Several other articles are published in different books and journals, f.ex. Metla Research Papers 866, Terra 114:3, Terra 115:4, 116:4, Journal of Forest Economics 8). Updated list of publications and presentations is in http://www.metla.fi/metinfo/monikaytto/index-en.htm. MMV (Monitoring and Management of Visitor Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas) Conference proceedings is published in Metla Working papers online-publication address http://www.metla.fi/julkaisut/workingpapers/2004/mwp002.htm

Project leader: Sievänen, Tuija
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 5269
E-mail: tuija.sievanen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Horne, Paula, VA (2002-03), Neuvonen, Marjo (2003-06), Ovaskainen, Ville, VA (2002-06), Tönnes, Susan (2002-03)

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Updated 12.06.2012
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