Conclusion of Case Study

There were some basic similarities of note that exist between the models discussed. The
methodology component of the models was where there seems to be areas of overlap. To begin with,
the use of surveys in the initial stages of model development is quite common among the case studies.
The first model, the B.C. tourism capability, made use of tourism user and operator surveys. The
second model, the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum of Parks Canada, used park staff interviews and
the results of park user studies and visitor surveys to help develop the model. The third model, the
nature-based tourism model for Australia, had direct surveys/questionaries of park visitors that
explored tourist attraction preferences and natural aesthetic preferences for various vegetation.
The three tourism potential models examined also used available topographic base mapping
for their respective regions to identify infrastructure for tourism development and to help researchers
identify supporting infrastructure such as campgrounds and human modifications made to the natural
areas. Both the B.C. tourism capability model and the nature tourism model for Grampians National
Park, Australia used grids in their modelling process for gauging elevation and these grids where set at
a cell size of 100 metres.126 Using ranked grids and a digital elevation model for slope analysis was
important as it helped determine access and environmental impact (resiliency) of the land. There was
some similarity between the B.C. model and the Australian model in terms of data. Both these models
made use of scenic data for scenic view opportunities and biogeoclimatic data, a specific data source
that includes climate, precipitation amounts, soils, and vegetation information. The last similarity
between the models concerned the digital format that incorporated the information for the mode. The
B.C. tourism capability model and the Australian nature tourism model had data for modelling in
point, line, and polygon coverages. The point coverages included attractions (waterfalls), line features
included trails, and the polygon (areal) features were vegetation and use areas. The case study
similarities are shown in point form below for quick reference.
Similarities
Use of tourist surveys
Use of topographic basemapping
Similar grid cell sizes
The use of point, line, and polygon coverages for tourism features
Tourism users, operators, governments all involved in process