Property rights and sustainable nature tourism: adaptation and mal-adaptation in Dalarna (Sweden) and Maine (USA)

Tourism is viewed in many industrial nations as an environmentally friendly way to revitalize distressed rural economies and communities. In the fores t regions of Dalarna and interior Maine: hopes are pinned on nature-based t ourism, with the presumption that natural capital is underutilized. This pa per explores the potential and pitfalls of nature tourism as a basis for su stainable rural development in regions where most land is held privately bu t quasi-open access for recreation has been either a right (Dalarna) or a c ustomary entitlement (Maine). The paper applies theories of common pool res ources and impure public goods to show that both property regimes are mal-a dapted for sustainable nature tourism. Limited exclusion combined with riva lness in land uses mis-aligns incentives facing landowners, tourists, and r ecreation businesses. Short-term effects include congestion, reduced econom ic opportunity, and depressed production of non-recreational goods. Longer- term effects include environmental degradation and weak incentives for valu e-added investment. Tourism development is further impeded by a scale mis-m atch between small ownerships and large efficient recreation management uni ts. The analysis suggests that sustainable nature tourism faces four land u se challenges. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.