Just visiting? Methods for integrating visitor management in planning work

The INNOMET project has developed a methodology that allows integrating visitor management in planning by developing user-friendly and usable methods that municipal and regional administrative authorities can use, when land development is considered. Two core points in the methodology are taking into account the needs of permanent residents and visitors, and weighing up the economic, social and environmental implications of land development against each other. Using methods presented in this report contributes to creating a knowledge base for managing recreational traffic in nature and protecting natural diversity, assessing what land development implies for services needed by the entire population, estimating tourism-related value creation for the local community, and monitoring population's attitudes about visitors and tourism over time. The methods cast light about implications that go far beyond the development fields - both for nature and for the welfare of the local community and visitors. Also, the report illustrates that visitor management should and can be incorporated into various planning processes.