Forging nature-based tourism policy issues: A case study in Pennsylvania

Because of the growing participation rates of nature-based tourism (NBT) and the variety of organizations affected by the growth, this study set out to identify NBT policy initiative recommendations designed to promote sustainable NBT activities in rural Pennsylvania. A mail survey of key decision makers in NBT programs in the state resulted in 22 major policy initiative recommendations that address: resource allocation and management, state agency planning and coordination, partnership with stakeholders, communication between state agencies and the public, knowledge base and the role of science, and information and data management. The survey also identified 65 policy initiative recommendations for 14 specific types of NBT activities. Study results help define the choices NBT programs face over what the “fit” with the state's NBT environments will or should be.