Kansallispuiston luonto paikkakokemuksen rakentajana: diskurssianalyysi Pallas-Yllästunturia koskevista selonteoista
Keywords:
nature, place, experience, national parks, discoursesAbstract
National park as a constructor of place experience
This article concentrates on the relationship between tourist and place by analysing the tourist experience in a national park context. A national park is understood as a place formed and shaped by social construction of nature, which also determines the means by which nature can be experienced. This empirical study focuses on Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The data consists of accounts (texts and photographs) produced by park authorities and tourists. The accounts were analysed with discourse analysis. The study demonstrates that the national park is mainly constructed as pristine nature, which may include certain signs of human activity. These only make experiencing nature easier. The discourses of adventure and security construct the experience of nature so that nature is simultaneously a place to escape and to feel secure. The study also indicates the importance of meanings associated with nature in tourist experience. It is important to recognise the tourist’s experience of nature in order to be able to build more responsible encounters between tourists and nature in national parks.
