Tourist Safety and Natural Sustainability at Preikestolen : An Exploratory Study of Stakeholders Perceptions

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore the tourist safety measures and the natural sustainability of Preikestolen from the perception of the stakeholders. Stakeholders considered in this study are organisations with ownership or affiliation interest. Background information as well as stakeholder theory in relation to safety and natural sustainability provides the background for the research objective, also the legislation is considered in relation to Preikestolen. 8 semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers or senior partners of their respective organisations. The findings of the study imply that the stakeholders have different perceptions of what they wish Preikestolen to be. The stakeholders considered that the natural sustainability is safeguarded, given the current number of visitors. There is a shared opinion of more regulation of the Preikestolen area and further improvement of the facilities in to ensure the sustainability of the nature as well ensuring the visitors safety. The cooperation between different stakeholder groups was adequate and The Pulpit Rock Foundation was held forward as the foundation of the collaboration. Furthermore, the safety information provided to tourists should be improved at different levels. Additionally, more knowledge is desired about the tourists, especially those who come to visit for one day (e.g. cruise tourists) in order to ensure safety precautions. The stakeholders expressed that the contingency plans of Forsand and Strand municipality did not consider the safety of tourists at Preikestolen and other highly visited nature attractions in the area.

Keywords: Tourism safety, natural sustainability, mountain destination.