Visitor management in protected areas

This research paper addresses the usage of visitor communication and education as a means in protected areas for visitor management in order to raise awareness of the necessity of pro-environmental behaviour and induce low-impact behaviour of visitors. The author analysis the tools already implemented in protected areas and their effectiveness. Findings show that a certain number of visitors obeys these regulations and tools but it varies and is not exercised to the full extent. As there is an increase in technology usage nowadays, the paper analyses to which extent technologies can raise environmental awareness, create pro-environmental behaviour and therefore conserve protected areas. A concept of a web-based technology will be developed and validated in their potential success in creating environmental-friendly visitor behaviour. A prototype for the case of the Jasmund National Park on Rügen is presented in this paper.