Latent Demand and Time Contextual Constraints to Outdoor Recreation in Sweden

This study analyzes the latent demand to outdoor recreation participation and identifies what factors are constraining people from realizing this demand. In Sweden, recreation in the outdoors is seen as a public right as articulated in public policy and much of the outdoor recreation centre around f...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniel Wolf-Watz, Peter Fredman, Ulla Romild, Mike Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2011-12-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/3/1/1/
Description
Summary:This study analyzes the latent demand to outdoor recreation participation and identifies what factors are constraining people from realizing this demand. In Sweden, recreation in the outdoors is seen as a public right as articulated in public policy and much of the outdoor recreation centre around forested landscapes—over 60 percent of the land area is classified as forest. Using data from a nationwide survey of 43 recreation activities, the study takes a time-contextual approach to reveal variations in recreation constraints across weekdays, weekends and holidays. Results show that almost half the population has a latent demand to increase their participation in outdoor recreation. Three categories of time contextual constraints are identified and several of the constraints studied show variations across outdoor activities and socio-economic factors. Practical implications for the promotion of outdoor recreation participation by public agencies, recreation managers and tourism businesses are discussed based on the study findings.
ISSN:1999-4907