Algae blooms and their consequences on camping tourism destinations: The case of Öland, Sweden

In Sweden camping tourism holds the position as one of the largest niches within the tourism accommodation sector. The camping sector represents more than 17 million or 35% of commercial overnight stays in total. On the island of Öland which is located in Kalmar county, and in Kalmar county itself, the camping sector represents more than 1.75 million or 65% of the annual overnight stays which positions Kalmar and Öland as the second largest camping region in Sweden. However, tourism businesses, and especially island tourism systems, can be vulnerable to shifting environmental conditions. In recent years, the media has highlighted the issue of harmful algae blooms frequently affecting coastlines in the Baltic Sea. Based on structured interviews, this article investigates the perceptions campground managers and camping tourists have of the impact of algae blooms on tourism. The results show that both among campground managers and visitors, algae blooms are perceived as an environmental concern that might affect tourism in negative ways

Öländska platser : anslagstavlor i synliggörandets geografi

This thesis is an explorative excursion into the concept of place creation and place construction. It departures from the way place is discussed within both relational theory and humanistic geography. In pace with changes in the local economy and re-structure of the agricultural sector, the Swedish island, Öland, has gone through changes which has given new perspectives on place and the distinctiveness of single places. These changes have assigned new roles for single places and the processes of place creation and place construction takes new paths in these changes. The study focuses on three major research questions: • How is place created? • How are processes of place creation manifested on Öland? • What role does the distinctiveness of particular places have for tourism and entrepreneurship on the island Öland? The approach to these questions is explorative. Place is studied as a concept which both reflects and influences processes of change in relation to other places and different actors, people and organizations. In this study, place creation is analyzed in relation to changing economic, social and cultural aspects. People’s actions in a certain place or in different places affect place transformation and creation of place just as changes in the national and global economy do. The different images people have of a certain place and their actions in this place are affected by relations to other places and cultural values, identities, global trends and the overall economy. This plays a vital role for place creation and how distinct places are constructed. This study explores these processes on Öland through three different projects or case studies. Methodologically, I have a qualitative approach to my research questions and the case studies are based on interviews, observations and analyses of marketing material, information material, texts and pictures