20 years of Nordic nature-based tourism research: a review and future research agenda

This paper provides a review of research in nature-based tourism in the Nordic region, discuss it from an international viewpoint and provide an outlook for the future research agenda. To do this, we analyze the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism for papers focusing on nature-based tourism from 2010 to 2020, as well as 29 key textbooks representing international scholarship within the last decade. We argue there has been an increase in the number of studies looking at nature-based tourism from the supply side, especially about destination development, lifestyle entrepreneurship and the role of guides. We also notice that many research questions are raised from practical needs, while more theoretically oriented research is rather limited. The international call for new, bold theoretical outlooks, the need to reimagine and fundamentally transform human-nature relationships towards sustainability and co-existence remains relevant for the Nordic context in the future.

Automated summary

This paper reviews research on nature-based tourism in the Nordic region, highlighting an increase in studies from the supply side and practical needs as key drivers of research questions. Calls for new theoretical perspectives and sustainable human-nature relationships in the future remain relevant for the Nordic context.