Managing conflict by mapping stakeholders’ views on ecotourism development using statement and place Q methodology

• Published in: Journal of outdoor recreation and tourism 2022-03, Vol.37, p.100453, Article 100453
• Main Author: Lee, Jae-hyuck
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Combined Q methodology; Conflict mapping; Cooperative planning; Public participation GIS
• ISSN: 2213-0780; 2213-0799
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100453

Ecotourism is proposed as a solution for both tourism development and conservation of ecological resources, but there are many conflicts between these two goals. Accordingly, many studies addressed the conflict concerning ecotourism sites, but there have been limitations, as studies based on interviews and questionnaires had difficulty in linking to specific spatial planning, and natural data-based research and public participation geographic information system had difficulty in identifying microscopic conflicts. The place Q methodology presented as the only alternative took a reserved attitude towards places where there is severe conflict, but did not provide a solution. This study quantified and revealed the difference in opinions between the majority and minority about the places where there is severe conflict by using place Q to identify the place of conflict and the statement Q to suggest the direction of planning. It presented a direction of spatial planning that can satisfy all interests. After analyzing Korea's Siheung Hojobul, public officials and tour guides wanted to establish a tourism plan centered on the river, and local residents and environmental groups wished to implement a conservation plan by farming in the outskirts of the river. Thus, it was possible to find a solution to resolve the conflict of opinion between tourism development and ecological resource conservation in spatial planning. This study is meaningful in that it showed that planners can quantify and present a spatial solution between development and conservation through stakeholder participation. •Using 2 types of Q analyses provides details of ecotourism site's spatial interests.•Local residents and NGOs favored development for agriculture.•Officials and ecology educators favored conservation for ecological functions.•Places where development is favored different than where conservation is favored.•Combined Q methodology can establish a cooperative spatial plan.