Methodology
This report utilises data collected as part of a questionnaire survey conducted by the Centre for Tourism, University of Otago.
A total of 970 backcountry users were contacted in the field and invited to complete a mail back questionnaire during the 1995/96 tramping season. Questionnaires were distributed on tramping tracks, at huts and at selected Department of Conservation Offices and Visitor Information Centres (Appendix A) throughout the country to enable extensive coverage of both tramping areas and the tramping season. Data was collected throughout the tramping season from December 1995 through to April 1996 thus enabling data to be collected on the displacement phenomenon. Also a wide variety of locations (Appendix B) were surveyed throughout the country from semi-wilderness areas to 'Great Walks'. Data input and analysis was achieved via SPSS for Windows.
The questionnaire survey was designed to assess the nature and extent of crowding and displacement in natural environments as perceived by overseas and domestic recreationists. This was accomplished by ascertaining the following:
- Use of New Zealand's natural and wilderness environments, especially walking tracks.
- Satisfaction with recreation experiences.
- Perceptions of crowding in various settings.
- Perceptions of modifications to the natural environment by human impact.
- Displacement to alternative locations and experiences by perceived crowding and impact.
- Satisfaction with alternative locations.
- Resentment with displacement and adoption of mitigating strategies.
- Willingness to accept management procedures for mitigation.
1. Backcountry User Survey Content
The survey (Appendix C) was divided into six sections. Each section was designed to ascertain information to fulfil the objectives outline above. Section One, titled 'Tramping Experience', was designed to elicit responses with regard to the respondent's previous tramping experience within the New Zealand backcountry and internationally. It asked about the type of information sources utilised with regard to this particular trip, as well as their reasons for choosing the track they were on, in preference to other tracks. In an attempt to obtain data on the displacement phenomenon, respondents were asked to specify whether or not, they had come to this track at this time to avoid other people; were they carrying a tent and/or cooking equipment; would they return to the track and whether their experience on the track would cause them to choose different tracks or visit at different times in the future.
Section Two was specifically concerned with the motivations of trampers to the New Zealand backcountry. It asked respondents to rank twelve possible motivations for visiting the New Zealand backcountry on a five point Likert scale. Respondents were then asked on a five point Likert scale to state the extent to which they felt the track/area represented wilderness, as well as whether or not they had actually experienced wilderness at the location. If they had not they were prompted to explain why. Respondents were also asked whether or not they had actually expected wilderness on this track.
Section three investigated respondent's expectations and preferences with regard to visitor numbers, their behaviour if their expectations were exceeded and their acceptance of possible mitigating strategies. Firstly they were asked their actual encounters with individuals and groups on the track and in the huts. Then respondents were asked about their expectations of track encounters prior to visiting the track as well as their preferences generally. If respondent's saw more people or groups than they had expected they were asked to state whether or not they had become dissatisfied with their trip, decided to go somewhere else next time, changed their thoughts about this track or did anything specifically to avoid these people. Finally, they were asked to consider a range of nine visitor management options from encouraging smaller groups to limiting numbers, and to state whether or not they would accept them on that particular track.
Section four relates to impacts; it sought to ascertain the overall extent of crowding felt by respondents and to establish the particular sites where crowding was occurring. It also sought to establish the extent to which crowding had affected respondents' enjoyment of the track they were on and the number of encounters per day that respondents would tolerate before their experience was significantly downgraded. Respondents had the opportunity to scale thirteen factors that they believed had spoilt their overall enjoyment of the track that they were on, and to offer alternatives to the factors listed.
Section five concerns the extent to which respondents were able to satisfy their twelve motivations for visiting the New Zealand backcountry. Once again a five point Likert scale was utilised, ranging from 'not at all satisfied' through to 'completely satisfied.' Respondents were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the facilities provided in the backcountry on the same scale. A nine-point satisfaction scale was used for respondents to rate their overall level of satisfaction with their total experience of the track. The scale had as its extremes, 'extremely dissatisfied' and 'extremely satisfied' with a neutral option at point five.
Section six requested respondents' specific demographic details to enable visitor profiles to be constructed. The normal questions of nationality, country of residence, age, gender, employment status, occupation, educational attainment and type of travelling group were asked.