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The popularity of long distance walking trails appears to be increasing, with growing visitor numbers on established trails and new routes constantly being proposed, planned and established. Trails such as the Milford Track in New Zealand, the Overland Track in Tasmania and the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea are now undoubtedly tourism icons, attracting significant numbers of overseas visitors and exerting an influence over regional and even national image.
To date, research into long distance walking trails appears to have focussed on investigating levels and trends in usage, demographics of users, economic benefits derived by local and regional communities and environmental impacts associated with trail use. Little research appears to have been undertaken into the actual experiences of trail users, the benefits they derive and the meanings, values and conflicts participants perceive during their walks and through their interactions with tour operators, trail managers and surrounding communities.
The aim of this research is to investigate the benefits walkers derive from long distance trails and explore the relationships between benefits achieved, the nature of the trail experience and the facilities and services provided including information and interpretation services accessed by walkers before, during and after the experience.
It is hoped that support and cooperation will be obtained from relevant protected area management agencies and tourism departments.
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