Understanding drivers and constraints to sustainable tourism destination development

Tourism generates an array of economic, conservation, health, and societal benefits to residents and nonresidents of Maine. The state’s outstanding tourism assets and the diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities represent important drivers for attracting diverse in-state and out-of-state visitors. These unique natural and cultural tourism assets have ample growth capacity. Challenges to capturing these opportunities for growth include changing needs and expectations of visitors, changing environmental conditions, preparedness of tourism destinations to changing conditions, residents perceptions of tourism, among others. This research seeks to improve our understanding of drivers to sustainable tourism destination development in light of global and local changes and will enhance destination planning and product development in Maine.

Investigator: De Urioste-Stone, S.

Unit: School of Forest Resources

Termination Date: 30-Sep-19