Visitor Motivations
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Increase focus on nature-based activities, eco-tourism and cultural heritage
Data collection in progress
Koitajoki Watershed
Finland
Problem: Before the project started, there has been no formal recognition or assessment of the role of restoration for visitor motivation or tourism in Koitajoki.
Action: Snowchange will conduct the first assessment to better understand the role large scale restoration plays in promoting tourism in this landscape.
Indicator: Survey responses will help Snowchange better understand visitor motivations, and therefore how to communicate with them about restoration work, available eco-tourism activities and the preservation of Koitajoki’s ecological and cultural heritage.
An example of the stunning wildlife in the project area. The photo was taken by a River Guardian’s camera trap. River Guardians are local people who engage with nature in a variety of ways, and volunteer with Snowchange to report what they observe. Photo: Tarja Kettunen.
Another example of the wildlife in the region, which could attract visitors. Also taken by a River Guardian’s camera trap. Photo: Mika Eronen.
Methods
A survey of visitor behaviour and motives will be conducted in summer of 2024 in Parppeinpirtti, the central location in Ilomantsi, which is a main tourist point within the Koitajoki project landscape. This will be done using questionnaires, which will be distributed by local youth employed through the Ilomantsi Tourist Association and municipality and will be handed to visitors at the Parppeinpirtti Restaurant & Museum complex. Results from the questionnaire will inform future engagement strategies relating to Snowchange’s eco-tourism and restoration activities. Among other variables, they will record the number of visitors who answer positively about their visit, in response to local restoration activities. In time, a reassessment of visitor motivations would help the project to understand if their restoration work is having an impact on tourism and the underlying reasons why people choose to travel to this area.
Results
Results from the survey will be available after Summer 2024.
Partners
