Environmental concerns in nature-based events: the permit process for organised outdoor recreation and sport

A study analyzing permit documents from Jämtland, Sweden (2011–2020) reveals that environmental concerns rarely lead to rejections of nature-based events, despite the region's ecologically sensitive alpine and subarctic landscapes. Instead, approvals prioritize local development and economic gains, commercializing nature for tourism and recreation. This suggests a need for integrating permit processes into spatial planning to better balance ecological protection with human use.

Eriksson, A., Pettersson, R., & Wall-Reinius, S. (2023). Environmental concerns in nature-based events: the permit process for organised outdoor recreation and sport. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 23(2-3), 176–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2023.2231892