Tourism Perspectives in National Parks—A Hungarian Case Study from the Aspects of Rural Development

András Donát Kovács, Péter Gulyás and Jenő Zsolt Farkas
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András Donát Kovács: Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
Péter Gulyás: Mid-Békés Regional Development Association, 5600 Békéscsaba, Hungary
Jenő Zsolt Farkas: Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, 1097 Budapest, Hungary

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Nature-based tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the tourism sector and triggered contradictory processes, even in protected areas. This phenomenon opens up new opportunities for nature-based tourism from the perspective of rural development. In this study, we assess the relations between tourism and nature conservation and examine the characteristics of practical cooperation in three Hungarian national parks. Based on in-depth interviews ( n = 76), document review, and analysis of tourism-related data, our research proves that nature-based tourism could play an essential role in rural development, but this is far from being fulfilled. None of the sectors have been able to impact the comprehensive development of the rural areas concerned. We conclude that sectoral partnership is inadequate, and there is no effective policy coordination. There is a lack of multiday tourism programs, and the currently available tourism infrastructure is insufficient. Initiatives such as the national park product trademark exist but are not well managed, so they do not have a meaningful impact. The results point out that cross-sector collaboration must be strengthened after the epidemic to provide a basis for policy coordination and joint planning.

Keywords: nature-based tourism; nature conservation; rural development; national park; policy coordination; COVID-19; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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