Planning and Developing Trails and Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 182

provided. It also entails the establishment of the day-to-day management,
including publicity, administration, maps and guidebooks (Hugo, 1999).
Once the route is opened and functioning, monitoring processes (stage
five) must be put in place to assure that the impacts of tourism and recreation
are minimized and the positive outcomes (economic, social and psychologi-
cal) are maximized (Hugo, 1999).
McNamara and Prideaux (2011: 293) provide a similar trail planning
framework that emphasizes many of the same sustainability needs and
actions that Hugo's (1999) model addresses, although there are some nota-
ble differences (Figure 6.3). McNamara and Prideaux suggest seven steps
in the planning process, particularly as regards hiking trails, but again
many of their ideas can be broadened to include many recreation and tour-
ism corridors.
The first stage, study preparation, establishes physical carrying capacities
and creates understanding of the demand for a proposed trail. It also estab-
lishes the role of the management authority, considers private and public
sector investments and requires input from indigenous peoples and other
community residents who have a stake in the project. Once these have been
addressed, the process, according to McNamara and Prideaux (2011), com-
mences. Phases two to seven include setting goals and objectives, analyzing
the potential trail environment (situation analysis), formulating the plan,
offering recommendations based upon the situation analysis, implementing
the trail design, and finally monitoring and adjusting the plan as needed,
considering ecological, commercial and quality of visitor experiences.

OUTPUTS

INPUTS PLANNING PROCESS STAGES

Science
Inputs

Ecosystem
impact

Involving stakeholders

Study
preparation

Aims &
objectives

Analysis
& plan
design

Options &
implement

Monitor &
adjust

Social
Science
Inputs Satisfaction

&
experience

Profits

Figure 6.3 Hiking trail planning framework
Source: Modifi ed from McNamara and Prideaux (2011)