Imagining immigrants as outdoor tourism fellows

Even though there are studies on different dimensions of sustainable event, there has been less attention to the social dimension especially focusing the minority group of immigrants as local community. Outdoor events, imagined as social landscapes, can improve the well-being of the local community.

Being host of more than 10% of foreign-born residents and evaluating outdoor recreation and events as important arenas for the Jämtland region and local community, in this study we turn to domestic tourism, outdoor events particularly, to discuss the importance of events as resources for social networks and community bridging at localised events and outdoor activities. Including environment and outdoors as the tourism stage, some discussions regarding the immigrants’ perceptions, understandings, impressions, self-presentations and integration while engaged in this context are to be studied.

The project is in line with the Municipality of Östersund's 2024 overall goals, especially goals 2 and 6: "The activities and companies of the Municipality of Östersund are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable" and "The Municipality of Östersund has very good conditions for a meaningful leisure time and an active life". The results can both contribute to filling the knowledge gap on tourism and migrants, and serve as a guiding starting point for more appropriate and meaningful and socially sustainable leisure and domestic tourism.