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 thisdemand. 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 contextualconstraints 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. 

Nyckelord

Constraints; Demand; National survey; Recreation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)