Environmental Impacts of Tourism on U.S. National Parks

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived tourism impacts on the natural environment within national parks. Responses from 44 of 51 U.S. national park superintendents to a mailed survey questionnaire indicated that 24 parks had water quality problems, 27 had air quality problems, 37 had vegetation (flora) or wildlife (fauna) problems, and 22 had coastline/shoreline problems relating to tourism. Implications for travel research and policies concerning the development and promotion of park tourism are discussed.