National parks in the tension between tourism and nature conservation using the example of the Gesäuse National Park

Diploma thesis at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences Salzburg Tourism is one of the most important economic factors in Austria. However, concepts such as sustainability and gentle tourism also shape our society. But above all in national parks, where the phenomenon of tourism and nature conservation meet, a complex tension arises. On the one hand, a national park has the task of protecting nature, on the other hand it has the mission to serve recreation and education. For many years, tourists have come to the Gesäuse to relax from everyday life and enjoy the beautiful landscape. About six years ago, the Gesäuse National Park was built in the Gesäuse National Park, with all the goals and tasks that a national park has to fulfil. In order to find out whether there is a tension between nature conservation and tourism in the Gesäuse National Park, this thesis was written. As part of this thesis, the main topics of tourism, nature conservation and national park are dealt with with the respective sub-chapters. This is followed by an extensive empirical study to determine what could be the reason for the tension between nature conservation and the tourists and locals in the Gesäuse National Park. Subsequently, a recommendation for action is made in the final analysis and an outlook for the future is provided.