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Forest tourism and recreation: case studies in environmental management
Tourism Management 22 (2001) 669–674
Book reviews Forest tourism and recreation: case studies in environmental management X. Font and J. Tribe (Eds.); CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 2000, pp 292, ISBN 0-85199-414-8. d40.00 This book brings together an interesting collection of papers on the management of tourism and recreation in forest environments written by both practitioners and academics from many parts of the world. The 17 chapters, involving 26 authors, are drawn from papers presented at a conference on this theme in November, 1998 organised as part of the TOURFOR project, cofunded by the European Union under the LIFE (L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement) programme. The volume is a timely and much needed addition to the literature on this subject. The integration of environmental and recreational priorities with more traditional forestry objectives, such as timber production, is becoming more central to forest management, not least with the rise of sustainable development. Theoretical and practical insights into the management of tourism and recreation in a range of forest environments are discussed. Case studies of tourism-related forest management in heavily urbanised societies, developing countries and the tropical rainforests are provided. The book is divided into two parts, with Part I dealing with ‘Issues and Problems’ and Part II reviewing ‘Strategies and Solutions’. In Part I, a range of issues and problems are raised in different contexts. Common issues emerging from these chapters relate to the general depletion of forest environments, the growing pressures of tourism and recreation on forests, the problems of managing the resulting impacts, and attempts to maintain a satisfying experience for the visitor. The role of ecotourism in the forestry of developing countries as a mechanism for ensuring conservation and protection of forest resources, such as rainforests, is discussed in two chapters. In these chapters, the ‘hype’ often associated with ecotourism is dispelled by critical insights into the effectiveness of the approach. Minca and Linda (Chapter 7) explain how local inhabitants in the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica have been left poorer from the emergence of conservation ideology and, because of foreign led investment, have not benefited from the development of ecotourism. Evan’s chapter (8) on ecotourism in tropical rainforests illustrates that the venture has not proved to be a long-term proposition as necessary regulation and
control of visitor numbers, together with the loss of local distinctiveness, has tended to encourage tourists to seek new, unspoiled destinations elsewhere. Issues and problems of tourism in the forests of developed countries, especially New Zealand and the United Kingdom, are also reviewed. Kearsley (Chapter 5) and Hall and Higham (Chapter 9) refer to the impact of growing volumes of international tourists on New Zealand’s ‘Conservation Estate’, which is dominated by forests. Hall and Higham set the historical context of the forest management and illustrate that, as a result of various political decisions such as encouraging incoming tourism and privatisation, insufficient attention has been given to maintaining the resource base. Visitor surveys discussed by Kearsley indicate that satisfaction and enjoyment of the forest environment have been affected detrimentally by the growth in tourist volumes. Similar research into crowding and satisfaction in the Forest of Dean (UK) is outlined by Price and Chambers (Chapter 4). Johnson and Clark provide an interesting review of the impacts of camping activities under changing recreation management in the New Forest (UK). Cloke and Jones (Chapter 10) introduce the issue of effective local community participation in forest management and planning, especially in matching ecological and arboreal management requirements with the expectations and feelings of the local community. Their example illustrates that, without direct involvement and support of the local community, misunderstandings about essential management interventions (such as clear-felling) can result in unnecessary conflicts and frustrations. No easy solutions can be proposed to address these issues, but effective future management requires both an environmental and a social science perspective to link the ecological impacts with human behaviour and action. Part II introduces a range of strategies and solutions. Many of these chapters have been written by practitioners and present a number of different models and examples of environmental management. The theme of recreation and tourism as an emerging concern in forest management and policy is developed in a number of chapters. In the context of public sector forestry, Broadhurst and Harrop (Chapter 11) review the evolving access provision of the UK Forestry Commissions from its inception in 1919, when it was established with the single purpose to create a strategic reserve of timber. While tourism’s value in forest management is underestimated and difficult to research, there is a growing emphasis on
670
Book reviews / Tourism Management 22 (2001) 669–674
quality provision by the Forestry Commission (as illustrated in a case study of Glen Affric in Scotland). Public access in private forests is often highly variable and dependent upon the owner’s interest. These issues are demonstrated by Anders Sandberg and Midgley (Chapter 12) in Ontario (Canada). While implementation of access by private owners can be speedier and without the compromises of public sector provision, economic realities of charging can be both socially exclusive and justify environmentally damaging activities (such as snowmobiling). The private sector is also discussed in a case study of the ‘Environmental Management System’ introduced by Center Parcs where the continuous benefits of the ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ process are outlined (Collins, Chapter 17). From the voluntary sector, the UK National Trust’s role in encouraging access in its woodland is also reviewed (Russell, Chapter 15). Here management is based on statements of significance and establishing dialogue with stakeholders to build a truly multi-purpose forestry enterprise. Many of the chapters develop the theme of achieving effective community participation in forest planning. Hunt (Chapter 13) outlines the ‘bottom-up’ process by which the local community was involved in the formulation of an environmental plan for the Mercia Community Forest. Sofield (Chapter 14) gives two models of community participation from Nepal, which have produced both economic and social development as well as the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. McArthur (Chapter 16) discusses a workshop approach to ‘stakeholder’ involvement on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, which has helped to breakdown an apparent
tradition of apathy, helped the growth of tourism and arrested a deterioration of the island’s environment. Overall, the volume represents a valuable collection of contemporary material and case studies, which has been lacking in recent literature on the topic of rural recreation and tourism. It is attractively presented and well illustrated. The wide geographical coverage has enabled a range of environments and cultural contexts to be reviewed and the involvement of practitioners has ensured that relevant models of best practice have been included for potential application elsewhere. If there are any reservations, some chapters might have taken a more critical stance. In particular, the management of recreation facilities under the public, voluntary and private sector might have been given more consideration with a deeper commentary on the changing patterns and influences on provision. In a volume which includes contributions from academics, practitioners and corporate bodies there can sometimes be a problem of ensuring that the success of particular projects are critically evaluated in equal depth. There is perhaps a tendency for some chapters to read more like policy or public relations statements rather than independent and in-depth evaluations. The book represents a valuable addition to a neglected area and will appeal to students of tourism, environment science and forestry. Stephen Essex Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, Devon UK
PII: S 0 2 6 1 - 5 1 7 7 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 4 1 - 3
Managing leisure B. Grainger-Jones; Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 1999, 231pp., d19.99, ISBN 0-7506-3717-X. The approach taken in this book is to provide a framework of knowledge for managing leisure enterprises in the public, private and voluntary sectors. This necessarily covers a wide spectrum of areas and issues, which by its very nature can only be somewhat brief. Managing Leisure is divided into seven sections that deal with identifiable areas of leisure management: the social context, the regulatory context, managing physical resources, managing people, managing money, managing programmes and events, managing risk and the leisure manager’s role. Leisure is succinctly defined in the introduction but it is surprising to see no reference to seminal authors such as Roberts in this section. The introduction also covers the history of leisure provision very briefly. Students requiring an in-depth analysis of
the historical aspects of leisure provision would not be able to rely on this commentary, although it does provide a satisfactory overview. The introduction is particularly proficient at establishing the context of leisure demand and the manner in which leisure subsidy flows through the chain of organisations within the public, private and voluntary sectors. The impact of the UK National Lottery is clearly identified as an important means for supporting leisure provision. As noted on p. 19: ‘‘the money derived from the lottery has become a significant form of grant aid in the United Kingdom, especially to the voluntary sector.’’ The book reflects contemporary issues in leisure management and is set within a frame of reference that is relevant to both students and managers of leisure alike. Recent events are used as reference points, such as in Chapter 7 the tragedies at Craven Arms and Lyme Bay as a result of inconsistencies in risk assessment procedures. The implications of such events and the hot
Book reviews Forest tourism and recreation: case studies in environmental management X. Font and J. Tribe (Eds.); CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 2000, pp 292, ISBN 0-85199-414-8. d40.00 This book brings together an interesting collection of papers on the management of tourism and recreation in forest environments written by both practitioners and academics from many parts of the world. The 17 chapters, involving 26 authors, are drawn from papers presented at a conference on this theme in November, 1998 organised as part of the TOURFOR project, cofunded by the European Union under the LIFE (L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement) programme. The volume is a timely and much needed addition to the literature on this subject. The integration of environmental and recreational priorities with more traditional forestry objectives, such as timber production, is becoming more central to forest management, not least with the rise of sustainable development. Theoretical and practical insights into the management of tourism and recreation in a range of forest environments are discussed. Case studies of tourism-related forest management in heavily urbanised societies, developing countries and the tropical rainforests are provided. The book is divided into two parts, with Part I dealing with ‘Issues and Problems’ and Part II reviewing ‘Strategies and Solutions’. In Part I, a range of issues and problems are raised in different contexts. Common issues emerging from these chapters relate to the general depletion of forest environments, the growing pressures of tourism and recreation on forests, the problems of managing the resulting impacts, and attempts to maintain a satisfying experience for the visitor. The role of ecotourism in the forestry of developing countries as a mechanism for ensuring conservation and protection of forest resources, such as rainforests, is discussed in two chapters. In these chapters, the ‘hype’ often associated with ecotourism is dispelled by critical insights into the effectiveness of the approach. Minca and Linda (Chapter 7) explain how local inhabitants in the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica have been left poorer from the emergence of conservation ideology and, because of foreign led investment, have not benefited from the development of ecotourism. Evan’s chapter (8) on ecotourism in tropical rainforests illustrates that the venture has not proved to be a long-term proposition as necessary regulation and
control of visitor numbers, together with the loss of local distinctiveness, has tended to encourage tourists to seek new, unspoiled destinations elsewhere. Issues and problems of tourism in the forests of developed countries, especially New Zealand and the United Kingdom, are also reviewed. Kearsley (Chapter 5) and Hall and Higham (Chapter 9) refer to the impact of growing volumes of international tourists on New Zealand’s ‘Conservation Estate’, which is dominated by forests. Hall and Higham set the historical context of the forest management and illustrate that, as a result of various political decisions such as encouraging incoming tourism and privatisation, insufficient attention has been given to maintaining the resource base. Visitor surveys discussed by Kearsley indicate that satisfaction and enjoyment of the forest environment have been affected detrimentally by the growth in tourist volumes. Similar research into crowding and satisfaction in the Forest of Dean (UK) is outlined by Price and Chambers (Chapter 4). Johnson and Clark provide an interesting review of the impacts of camping activities under changing recreation management in the New Forest (UK). Cloke and Jones (Chapter 10) introduce the issue of effective local community participation in forest management and planning, especially in matching ecological and arboreal management requirements with the expectations and feelings of the local community. Their example illustrates that, without direct involvement and support of the local community, misunderstandings about essential management interventions (such as clear-felling) can result in unnecessary conflicts and frustrations. No easy solutions can be proposed to address these issues, but effective future management requires both an environmental and a social science perspective to link the ecological impacts with human behaviour and action. Part II introduces a range of strategies and solutions. Many of these chapters have been written by practitioners and present a number of different models and examples of environmental management. The theme of recreation and tourism as an emerging concern in forest management and policy is developed in a number of chapters. In the context of public sector forestry, Broadhurst and Harrop (Chapter 11) review the evolving access provision of the UK Forestry Commissions from its inception in 1919, when it was established with the single purpose to create a strategic reserve of timber. While tourism’s value in forest management is underestimated and difficult to research, there is a growing emphasis on
670
Book reviews / Tourism Management 22 (2001) 669–674
quality provision by the Forestry Commission (as illustrated in a case study of Glen Affric in Scotland). Public access in private forests is often highly variable and dependent upon the owner’s interest. These issues are demonstrated by Anders Sandberg and Midgley (Chapter 12) in Ontario (Canada). While implementation of access by private owners can be speedier and without the compromises of public sector provision, economic realities of charging can be both socially exclusive and justify environmentally damaging activities (such as snowmobiling). The private sector is also discussed in a case study of the ‘Environmental Management System’ introduced by Center Parcs where the continuous benefits of the ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ process are outlined (Collins, Chapter 17). From the voluntary sector, the UK National Trust’s role in encouraging access in its woodland is also reviewed (Russell, Chapter 15). Here management is based on statements of significance and establishing dialogue with stakeholders to build a truly multi-purpose forestry enterprise. Many of the chapters develop the theme of achieving effective community participation in forest planning. Hunt (Chapter 13) outlines the ‘bottom-up’ process by which the local community was involved in the formulation of an environmental plan for the Mercia Community Forest. Sofield (Chapter 14) gives two models of community participation from Nepal, which have produced both economic and social development as well as the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. McArthur (Chapter 16) discusses a workshop approach to ‘stakeholder’ involvement on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, which has helped to breakdown an apparent
tradition of apathy, helped the growth of tourism and arrested a deterioration of the island’s environment. Overall, the volume represents a valuable collection of contemporary material and case studies, which has been lacking in recent literature on the topic of rural recreation and tourism. It is attractively presented and well illustrated. The wide geographical coverage has enabled a range of environments and cultural contexts to be reviewed and the involvement of practitioners has ensured that relevant models of best practice have been included for potential application elsewhere. If there are any reservations, some chapters might have taken a more critical stance. In particular, the management of recreation facilities under the public, voluntary and private sector might have been given more consideration with a deeper commentary on the changing patterns and influences on provision. In a volume which includes contributions from academics, practitioners and corporate bodies there can sometimes be a problem of ensuring that the success of particular projects are critically evaluated in equal depth. There is perhaps a tendency for some chapters to read more like policy or public relations statements rather than independent and in-depth evaluations. The book represents a valuable addition to a neglected area and will appeal to students of tourism, environment science and forestry. Stephen Essex Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, Devon UK
PII: S 0 2 6 1 - 5 1 7 7 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 4 1 - 3
Managing leisure B. Grainger-Jones; Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 1999, 231pp., d19.99, ISBN 0-7506-3717-X. The approach taken in this book is to provide a framework of knowledge for managing leisure enterprises in the public, private and voluntary sectors. This necessarily covers a wide spectrum of areas and issues, which by its very nature can only be somewhat brief. Managing Leisure is divided into seven sections that deal with identifiable areas of leisure management: the social context, the regulatory context, managing physical resources, managing people, managing money, managing programmes and events, managing risk and the leisure manager’s role. Leisure is succinctly defined in the introduction but it is surprising to see no reference to seminal authors such as Roberts in this section. The introduction also covers the history of leisure provision very briefly. Students requiring an in-depth analysis of
the historical aspects of leisure provision would not be able to rely on this commentary, although it does provide a satisfactory overview. The introduction is particularly proficient at establishing the context of leisure demand and the manner in which leisure subsidy flows through the chain of organisations within the public, private and voluntary sectors. The impact of the UK National Lottery is clearly identified as an important means for supporting leisure provision. As noted on p. 19: ‘‘the money derived from the lottery has become a significant form of grant aid in the United Kingdom, especially to the voluntary sector.’’ The book reflects contemporary issues in leisure management and is set within a frame of reference that is relevant to both students and managers of leisure alike. Recent events are used as reference points, such as in Chapter 7 the tragedies at Craven Arms and Lyme Bay as a result of inconsistencies in risk assessment procedures. The implications of such events and the hot