Wind energy development and tourism: a threat or the possibility?

Abstract

A plan to increase a share of energy production gained from renewable sources has been proclaimed and ratified in most of the European countries including the Czech Republic. The usage of so called clean energy has become a global challenge that raises big controversies on a local and regional level though. Wind turbines turned out to be the most controversial phenomenon for both the scientific and public community. Hereat a social acceptance (community acceptance and political acceptance) is the key question in the planning and realisation process. A potential impacts on landscape character, swirling turbines´ noise and speculations concerning potential negative impacts on tourism have become the main arguments of opposition in the last two three years. The aim of the paper is to analyze, evaluate and empirically verify a potential impact of the wind power developments on tourism on the example of localities of Slezská Harta (dam) and Boží Dar and Kryštofovy Hamry (Ore Mountains)