Cultural and space-based factors influencing recreational conflicts in forests. The example of cyclists and other forest visitors in Freiburg (Germany)

Abstract

More and more people are visiting forests for recreational and leisure purposes. Against this backdrop, conflicts have become rampant mainly due to limited spaces and conflicting recreational expectations. Recreational conflicts have the tendency to diminish the satisfaction that a visitor derives from leisure activities in the forest. This is a challenge not only to forest management but also to tourism product development. The study investigates recreational conflicts in forests by conducting a nationwide online survey. Conflicts were described based on how intensively they are discussed in public, how emotionally they are treated, and based on the willingness of the respondents in finding solutions to the conflicts. In order to investigate the factors that contribute to conflict genesis, the example of conflicts between cyclists and other forest visitors was researched by an on-site survey in Freiburg (Germany). The results show that cultural factors influence conflict genesis. For example, the activity style of recreationists and their mode of experience play an important role in conflict genesis. Both are cultural factors, when following a value-based understanding of culture. However, not are recreational conflicts judged as highly emotional; instead, they seem to be an expected part of forest visits. The study concludes with recommendations for tourism product development and forest management.