URBANA NEWS’ Post

Planning a trip to Banff? It’s essential to consider how to make the most of your time while also respecting the stunning environment. Here are a few tips to enhance your experience: 1. Book in Advance: Popular spots like Lake Louise get crowded quickly. Booking accommodations and activity spots ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out. 2. Visit During Off-Peak Hours: If you can, try to explore attractions early in the morning or later in the evening. This way, you’ll avoid the peak crowds. 3. Stay on Designated Trails: Protect the natural landscape and local wildlife by sticking to marked paths and respecting wildlife guidelines. 4. Consider Local Transportation: Utilize shuttles or public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the beauty. Following these steps not only elevates your own experience but also contributes to the preservation of Banff’s breathtaking landscapes for future visitors. What tips do you have for keeping it sustainable while enjoying nature? Share your experiences! https://lnkd.in/gAcXq8qW

🌟 Planning a weekend trip to Port Charlotte? Our latest blog post highlights the 12 best activities you can't miss! Whether you're into outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing by the water, Port Charlotte has it all.🌞Click the link to read the full blog and enhance your travel plans. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2JC-MAS 💬 Have any tips or favorite places in Port Charlotte? We'd love to hear your recommendations in the comments! #PortCharlotteTravel #WeekendIdeas #TravelEnthusiasts #DiscoverPortCharlotte #TravelBlogger

#ThrowbackThursday: It’s a Research Rewind! Today, we’re looking back at our 2018 study, “Tourism & Its Impacts on Rural Communities: White Sulphur Springs 2018.” This study was part of a larger project comprising five rural Montana communities to provide insight into tourism's impacts on rural communities. Lima, Deer Lodge, Thompson Falls, and Shelby were the other participating communities. Key findings from White Sulphur Springs: - 55% of the visitors were from Montana, but 96% of those Montana residents were from outside Meagher County. - The highest expenditures were on retail goods and services, followed by restaurant/bar and lodging. - Scenic driving (50%), camping (40%), and fishing (25%) were among the most popular activities for visitors. The Spa Hot Springs was a major attraction, visited by 67% of respondents. - High satisfaction levels were indicated, with 88% of respondents being very likely to return and another 9% somewhat likely to return. To read this study, visit: https://lnkd.in/gW_28q-r #researchrewind #whitesulphursprings #rural #montana #research

🏞️ U.S. National Parks vs. Overtourism: The Push for Solutions America's national parks are some of the most breathtaking destinations, but overcrowding is taking a toll on both the environment and visitor experience. Overtourism has led to trails being trampled, wildlife habitats disturbed, and local ecosystems put at risk. So, how do we fix this? National parks are implementing new strategies to ensure their preservation while allowing people to enjoy their beauty responsibly. 🌲 Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam lists three steps national parks are taking to manage visitor numbers: - More parks are requiring visitors to make a reservation for peak periods. Glacier and Mount Ranier National Parks have implemented vehicle reservation systems for popular entrances. Meanwhile, Yosemite reinstated its requirement that visitors book their visits in advance during the summer and weekends during select months. - The National Park Service also plans to implement a uniform permit application process for tour operators. Parks currently either have their own commercial use authorization online applications or none at all, creating inconsistency for tour operators. - Some parks — including Zion and Glacier — have raised camping fees to cover maintenance costs while others have submitted proposals for fee increases next year. Key Takeaways: - Reservation systems are being implemented to manage the flow of visitors. - Strategic closures of overused areas help protect wildlife and trails. - Educational programs promote responsible tourism and preservation efforts. - Partnerships with local communities ensure sustainable tourism and economic growth. - There’s a push for diversifying visitor destinations to lesser-known parks to distribute the load. What’s your take—are reservation systems a step in the right direction, or do you have other ideas to help manage park overcrowding? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #Overtourism #NationalParks #SustainableTravel

You might want to bookmark this article for when it's time to plan your next #vacation. #travelplanning

You might want to bookmark this article for when it's time to plan your next #vacation. #travelplanning

Do you know the Leave No Trace principle? Have you found litter left by other hikers on a walk? Have you ever taken a souvenir from nature home? Have you ever thrown your banana peel in nature while hiking because it is natural so it will degrade anyway? I have. A small example. Etretat in France is a major natural attraction with its chalk cliffs on the Channel; it has amazing beaches with beautiful pebbles. A local organisation estimated that tourists take for about 300 kg of pebbles from the beach, which accelerates the risk of erosion. Often we do not realise the effect of 'just taking a few pebbles'. Based on 7 principles, the non profit Leave No Trace provides education and training to support and protect nature. The concept is simple; leave no trace when in the outdoors. While the concept is straightforward, there is more to it which I came to understand upon taking the course. It is about considering that when many people have a similar behaviour in outdoors, nature and the local wildlife will be impacted. Are you applying the principle when operating tours and itineraries in your destination? Are you making travellers aware of the importance of leaving the natural world natural? Are your teams aware of the importance of the concept? Send me a DM to discuss further in detail. #leavenotrace #leaveonlyfootprints #humus #tourism

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 (𝐀𝐓𝐕 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬) located on Tasmania's east coast, is a premier destination for quad bike enthusiasts. Known for its dramatic coastal scenery, pristine beaches, and granite peaks, Freycinet offers trails that wind through lush forests, sandy paths, and rocky hills. - 𝐀𝐓𝐕 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬: Several companies offer guided quad bike tours in Freycinet National Park. These tours often include riding through the park’s scenic areas, exploring remote beaches, and visiting hidden lookouts where you can view landmarks like Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s most photographed beaches. - 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧: The terrain varies from flat sandy tracks near the beach to more challenging, rocky inclines as you ascend into the mountainous sections. Riders experience a combination of easy cruising sections and more technical areas that require skill to navigate safely. - 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: While riding, you can encounter Tasmania’s native wildlife, including wallabies, wombats, and various bird species. The tours often emphasize environmental stewardship, encouraging visitors to respect the pristine natural surroundings. - 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: The climate in Tasmania is mild, but the best time for quad bike adventures is during the warmer months (November to April), when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities. Suppose you're planning to create video content in Tasmania. In that case, the Freycinet National Park offers challenging trails and breathtaking scenery that would make for incredible footage—especially with the contrasting landscapes of rainforests and coastal views. #ATVAdventure #TasmaniaQuadBiking #FreycinetNationalPark #OffRoadTasmania #ExploreTasmania #ATVLife #QuadBikingAustralia #AdventureRiding #TasmaniaWilderness #ATVTrails #ATVTasmania #OutdoorAdventure #NatureExploration #OffRoadExperience #WildTasmania #LubeShuttle #LubeShuttleAustralia

📚📚🔎Delighted to announce the publication of our paper in the International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality. Together with my dear co-author, we've delved into the fascinating realm of tourism research, specifically focusing on camping. Our paper investigates the crucial determinants of camper loyalty, particularly amidst the challenges posed by health crises. 💬 Did you know? The camping market worldwide is projected to generate a staggering revenue of US$48.33 billion in 2024, with an anticipated annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 7.28%. This rapid growth trajectory is expected to propel the market volume to US$64.02 billion by 2028 (statista.com). Our study contributes to understanding the dynamics driving camper loyalty in this industry, offering invaluable insights for businesses and policymakers alike. Curious to dive deeper into our findings? Access the paper here: https://lnkd.in/dXu9CThP 🏕️ #TourismResearch #ConsumerBehavior #CampersLoyalty #KnowledgeManagement #HospitalityResearch #academia #growth #nature #place #people

How projects will tap these Southern Tier rivers to boost recreation, tourism in region