The nature of resources for tourism and recreation

Abstract

The first part of the article is devoted to discussing the concept of resources and the professional approach to this phenomenon. The author goes on to put into effect the traditional theory which divides resources into land, work force and capital. A central point in the article is that resources consist not only of material things and conditions (concrete resources) but equally of nonmaterial conditions (abstract/non-physical conditions) and that many resources are culturally determined. Then follows a section dealing with the relationship between resource quality, knowledge and awareness on the one hand and competitive power on the other. The concepts of knowledge and awareness are key factors, but must also be further divided into the knowledge and awareness imparted by schools and universities as opposed to the experience and skills rooted in tradition. The facts and ideas taught in our schools and universities can be termed institutionalized knowledge and are common throughout large areas and cultural spheres. The experience and skills rooted in tradition, however, are more likely to be confined to smaller areas. They are transmitted and maintained by practical participation and can often be extremely important for tourism. Finally the question of resource analysis is addressed. The enclosed report is a description of an analysis programme developed here at the college in Lillehammer and made use of by several Norwegian municipalities and regions. Several of these analyses have been posted on the Internet by the college library but unfortunately they are all in Norwegian.