Project: Offshore wind energy and tourism co‑existing in the sustainable blue economy: Holistic Assessment tool for informed decision‑making

About the project

Marine areas and coastal landscapes are of great importance for domestic tourism and recreation in Sweden. They also attract foreign tourists seeking coastal and nature-based activities. The expansion of offshore wind power infrastructure has raised concerns related to coastal landscape aesthetics and access to marine areas in recent years. Although there is generally a positive attitude towards wind power in Sweden, there is also local resistance. One of the main reasons for this resistance is the perceived negative impact on tourism activities.

Aim and methods of the project

The project is relevant to residents in coastal areas who strive for sustainable community development within the blue economy. Its goal is to support the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management’s objectives by ensuring that action plans within the blue economy are developed with consideration for diversity, dialogue, and transparency.

Currently, there is a lack of assessment tools adapted to support dialogue and find solutions to conflicts between different community groups, the wind power sector, and tourism stakeholders. To fill this knowledge gap, the project is therefore developing a survey instrument aimed at measuring the tourism experience value in areas affected by offshore wind power development.

A previous project that explored the tourism experience value of wind turbines in natural areas provides a strong theoretical foundation for the development of this instrument. The survey instrument will measure various aspects of tourism experience value, including social, economic, ecological, and societal aspects, in addition to the visual impact of wind turbines on the tourism experience value.

The project involves both qualitative and quantitative data collection, as well as participatory research. It aims to improve research methods and strategies for transparent and balanced decision-making in the development of offshore wind power facilities within the blue economy.

About the expected outcome

The expected outcomes of the project are that the tourism-related effects of offshore wind power development will be related to tourists’ perceptions of coastal landscapes and marine ecosystems, their understanding of climate change, and their experiences of coastal recreation. It is also expected that the experience value of offshore wind turbines will vary depending on the tourist’s origin, environmental perceptions, and other sustainability aspects, as well as activities at the destination.

About results

The conclusions will provide a scientific basis for government agencies, county administrations, municipalities, and various interest organizations to enable the coexistence of offshore wind power production and the development of sustainable tourism within the blue economy. The project’s outcomes will include a comprehensive assessment tool for tourism experience value and strategies for informed decision-making in the development of offshore wind energy.

Organization 

The project is being carried out at the School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University in partnership with ETOUR at Mid Sweden University. Through close collaboration with local and regional stakeholders, as well as the tourism and wind power sectors, the project aims to strengthen the reliability and practical relevance of its results.