Water environments
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Recent papers in Water environments
Abstract Human societies over the centuries have always had a close relation to the rivers they supported in one way less or more sustainable different kinds of economies. Currently rivers provide a wealth of outdoor recreational... more
Abstract
Human societies over the centuries have always had a close relation to the rivers they supported in one way less or more sustainable different kinds of economies. Currently rivers provide a wealth of outdoor recreational activities. In post-modern society and in post-fordist economy we can assist of a widespread of services related to water environments and of an emergent new form of tourism: river tourism. In Portugal in most recent years this trend is evident, many of small enterprises find in local water resources and in leisure and tourism activities new economic opportunities for employment and income selling emotions and experiences, creating facilities, namely associated with rivers.
Rivers usually offer two kinds of tourism activities, one of them are located on the river banks, beside the rivers, and others take place on the rivers. The most typical activities that we can find on the rivers are tours and sightseeing cruises – short or long distances, downstream or upstream, these activities always offer an exciting experience through scenic and cultural landscapes, including natural and built environments that changed along its shores – and water sports, most of them are identified as forms of adventure tourism like white-water rafting, canyoning, amongst others. Many of these activities could be included in niche tourism and for this river tourism potential the natural feature of water is very important.
This chapter comprises some topics structured into three parts. The first part of the chapter attempts briefly to embrace the importance that rivers has been through the history and the role that water resources play in leisure society and in outdoor recreation activities. Focus on river tourism introduces a range of ways of seeing this form of tourism. Secondly we’ll explore the water resources in Portugal and related them to the leisure and tourism enterprises that promotes in 2010 activities on aquatic environments, representing and interpreting the potential of national territory. Finally we will try to present some guidelines for an action strategy for sustainable river tourism development, present specific actions to be taken by public agents and stakeholders to reduce the conflicts between tourist activity and the environment and some strategies to improve the river tourism.
Keywords: Water environments; River tourism; Sustainability; Portugal
Human societies over the centuries have always had a close relation to the rivers they supported in one way less or more sustainable different kinds of economies. Currently rivers provide a wealth of outdoor recreational activities. In post-modern society and in post-fordist economy we can assist of a widespread of services related to water environments and of an emergent new form of tourism: river tourism. In Portugal in most recent years this trend is evident, many of small enterprises find in local water resources and in leisure and tourism activities new economic opportunities for employment and income selling emotions and experiences, creating facilities, namely associated with rivers.
Rivers usually offer two kinds of tourism activities, one of them are located on the river banks, beside the rivers, and others take place on the rivers. The most typical activities that we can find on the rivers are tours and sightseeing cruises – short or long distances, downstream or upstream, these activities always offer an exciting experience through scenic and cultural landscapes, including natural and built environments that changed along its shores – and water sports, most of them are identified as forms of adventure tourism like white-water rafting, canyoning, amongst others. Many of these activities could be included in niche tourism and for this river tourism potential the natural feature of water is very important.
This chapter comprises some topics structured into three parts. The first part of the chapter attempts briefly to embrace the importance that rivers has been through the history and the role that water resources play in leisure society and in outdoor recreation activities. Focus on river tourism introduces a range of ways of seeing this form of tourism. Secondly we’ll explore the water resources in Portugal and related them to the leisure and tourism enterprises that promotes in 2010 activities on aquatic environments, representing and interpreting the potential of national territory. Finally we will try to present some guidelines for an action strategy for sustainable river tourism development, present specific actions to be taken by public agents and stakeholders to reduce the conflicts between tourist activity and the environment and some strategies to improve the river tourism.
Keywords: Water environments; River tourism; Sustainability; Portugal
Freshwater is a valuable tourist resource on which the appeal of a tourist destination can depend (Lootvoet and Roddier-Quefelec, 2009). Water, particularly when it is clear and cool, is essential for exploiting leisure and tourism... more
Freshwater is a valuable tourist resource on which the appeal of a tourist destination can depend (Lootvoet and Roddier-Quefelec, 2009). Water, particularly when it is clear and cool, is essential for exploiting leisure and tourism services the world over: "water resources, both linear and enclosed, are a vital ingredient of the countryside scene, whether for purely visual pleasure or for the direct support of recreational activities" (Glyptis, 1991: 8). Water does indeed have a great fascination for a large number of people; it is even the main motivation for choosing a destination, and marine, river and lake environments are equally important. It is no accident that water has been called "the sparkle in the jewel of landscape" (Patmore, 1983: 205). A range of tourist products have been built up around water: river tourism, nautical tourism, sun and sea, spas, health and wellbeing, active leisure and adventure tourism. The National Strategic Plan for Tourism (PE...
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