Ett hållbart friluftsliv i Höga Kusten

Sammanfattning: During the spring of 2020 the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic which led to unpredicted and interesting effects in the domestic tourism sector. As a result of travel restrictions and social distancing recommendations there was an increase in visitors to national parks, hiking trails and other recreational areas in Sweden. The amount of visitors to the High Coast trail located in the east of Sweden has steadily been increasing over the last ten years, however several records for the amount of visitors were set during the pandemic, resulting in increased pressure on management and conservation efforts to preserve the trail. This report aimed to identify causes of environmental damage related to the amount of visitors hiking parts of the trail and to suggest measures to be able to minimize the negative effects. The aim of the report was also to study the willingness of individuals to change their behaviour to lessen their environmental damage while hiking the trail. Several direct causes of environmental damage caused by an increased amount visitors were identified, such as erosion of the trail, disturbances to the flora and fauna and littering. Indirect causes that were proven to increase the direct damage were the trail design and lack of public transport to and from the trail. Several measures were presented in the result, however parking fees and an increased presence of public employees were determined as the most beneficial when analysed though the three dimensions of sustainability, ecological-, economical- and social sustainability. The first mentioned measure were also considered favourable since individuals were willing to use public transport instead of the car if it was accessible, more sustainable and if there were a lack of parking. Conditions which can be or is already fulfilled along the High Coast trail.