The New Mountain Experience

Challenges
The Swedish Highland region has a long history as an outdoor recreational area. More recently, new recreational activities have emerged and attitudes about outdoor recreation have changed. These changes will significantly affect the future sustainability of the Highlands region. Consequently, it is important to better understand development activities associated with environmental objective, ”A Magnificent Mountain Landscape”.

Objectives
This project aims to analyze trends in highland tourism, focusing on activities, experiences, rationale and benefit, as well as to observe changes over time. The project will also highlight contemporary leisure phenomenon that may be important for future development, such as open air festivals, outdoor activities that move indoors, sportification and the implementation of new recreational technologies and social media. Study findings will be synthesized in collaboration with partners from various sectors (e.g. tourism, economic development, nature protection) in the Highland region.

Benefits
The project will contribute to critical analysis of the environmental objectives regarding the recreational significance of the events, but will also provide a better understanding of conflicts arising from outdoor tourism activities and the possible consequences. The project will also promote new methods to study visitors in regard to both management and administration, while also contributing to the social and economic development to the Highland region.