ASPECTS OF PUBLIC TOURIST USE IN NATURAL PARKS IN CANADA

Abstract

Canada's environmental and cultural characteristics are major tourist attractions that have provided a large flow of visitors who contribute to enriching the national GDP. The large number of national parks, as well as other categories of protected areas, places the country in a prominent position in continental and world tourism. The main aim of this article was to gather information and report on travel experiences in 2018, with an emphasis on aspects of public use in protected areas. The reports presented included two private areas - Canyon Sainte Anne Park (Quebec) and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (Vancouver) - and two national parks - Banff and Jasper, both in Alberta. The Canadian management system for protected areas is one of the oldest and most consolidated in the world, combining government involvement and private service concessions. There is an infrastructure for communicating and promoting tourism, using various media such as specialized magazines, tourism agencies and official websites. Problems related to over-visitation also occur, as do any negative impacts of this process.