This study analyses how the meaning of landscape in tourism is conceptualised and represented using the example of three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of the German federal state of Brandenburg, utilising a qualitative social constructivist perspective. Although the term 'landscape' was originally conceived as a geographical concept, it is now a holistic concept that is considered across disciplines, including sociology, psychology, ethnology, landscape ecology and philosophy of nature. According to social constructivist landscape studies, the construct of 'landscape' is the result of socially generated patterns of interpretation and evaluation, based on which an internal synthesis of observed material objects and their relation to symbolic meanings takes place (Kühne, 2019). The thesis answers the following research question: how do the three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Brandenburg construct and represent their landscapes through communication with tourists?
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, tourism in the UNESCO BRs and their analysis from a social constructivist perspective
- 1.2. Operationalisation of the phenomenon of tourism for the study. Specific features and tourism regulations in German Biosphere Reserves
- 1.3. Viewing tourism as a social construct
- 1.4. State of research. Literature review
- 1.5. Research question, aim and objectives of the Master's thesis
- 1.6. Structure of the Master's thesis
- 2. Theoretical background. Landscape and tourism: introduction to theoretical perspectives and to the connection between the two concepts
- 2.1. Exploring connections between the concepts of 'landscape' and 'tourism'
- 2.2. The different theoretical approaches to the concept of landscape and the understanding of the concept from a social constructivist perspective
- 2.3. The four dimensions of landscape according to Kühne
- 2.4. Social constructivist landscape theory of landscape perception according to Ipsen
- 2.5. Landscape of tourism from a social constructivist perspective
- 2.6. Chapter 2 - Summary
- 3. Materials and methods
- 3.1. Data collection and analysis
- 3.2. Case studies
- 3.2.1. Case study 1: Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
- 3.2.2. Case study 2: Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve (Brandenburg)
- 3.2.3. Case study 3: Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
- 3.3. Content analysis and interpretive content analysis
- 3.4. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with tourism experts and actors in the biosphere reserves under study
- 3.4.1. Data collection
- 3.4.2. Data analysis
- 3.5. Chapter 3 - Summary
- 4. Description of the case studies
- 4.1. Description of the physical spaces designated as landscapes of the biosphere reserves under study
- 4.2. Tourism sphere of the biosphere reserves under study. Touristic offers and themes
- 4.3. Chapter 4 - Summary
- 5. Results. The social landscape as a basis for tourists' appropriation of landscape
- 5.1. Social landscape as shown by the media representation of the biosphere reserves under study
- 5.2. Representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism – social landscape
- 5.3. Interim conclusion - Chapter 5: social landscape
- 6. Results. Semi-structured qualitative tourism expert and actor interviews: appropriated physical landscape
- 6.1. Biosphere Reserve administrations
- 6.2. City/communal administrations
- 6.3. Visitor and information centres
- 6.4. Tourism marketing organisations/associations
- 6.5. Ranger association / tour guides
- 6.6. Hotels/holiday apartments / regional products
- 6.7. Tourism destinations specific to each BR region
- 6.8. Representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism (Interview results)
- 6.9. Interim conclusion - Chapter 6: appropriated physical landscape
- 7. Discussion
- 7.1. Discussion: representations of the Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism
- 7.2. Comparison of the results of the study with existing scientific research on the topic
- 7.3. Limitations of the study
Objectives and Key Themes
This Master's thesis aims to analyze the representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes within the context of tourism, utilizing a social constructivist perspective. The study investigates how these landscapes are perceived and constructed by different actors, and how these representations influence tourism experiences and practices. * Representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism. * Social constructivist perspective on landscape perception. * Analysis of media representations and expert interviews. * Case studies of German Biosphere Reserves. * The interplay between physical landscape and social constructions of landscape.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis, defining the scope of the research. It introduces the concept of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and their relationship with tourism, framing the analysis through a social constructivist lens. The chapter details the operationalization of tourism within the study, focusing on the specific characteristics and regulations within German Biosphere Reserves. It also reviews the existing literature and establishes the central research question, aims, and objectives of the thesis, ultimately outlining the structure of the subsequent chapters. 2. Theoretical background. Landscape and tourism: introduction to theoretical perspectives and to the connection between the two concepts: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation for the research. It explores the complex interplay between the concepts of "landscape" and "tourism," examining various theoretical approaches to understanding landscape, particularly through a social constructivist perspective. The chapter delves into the four dimensions of landscape according to Kühne and the social constructivist landscape theory of Ipsen. This groundwork lays the conceptual base for examining how tourism shapes and is shaped by landscape perceptions within the context of Biosphere Reserves. Key theoretical frameworks are introduced to guide the subsequent empirical analysis. 3. Materials and methods: This chapter outlines the methodological approach employed in the study. It details the data collection methods, including case study selection (Schorfheide-Chorin, Elbe River Landscape, and Spreewald Biosphere Reserves), content analysis of media representations, and semi-structured interviews with tourism experts and actors. The rationale behind choosing these methods is explained, highlighting their suitability for exploring the research questions. Data analysis techniques, such as interpretive content analysis, are discussed in detail. The chapter justifies the mixed-methods approach and emphasizes its strength in providing comprehensive insights into the research topic. 4. Description of the case studies: This chapter presents a detailed description of the three selected Biosphere Reserves. It analyzes the physical landscapes of each reserve, providing a geographical and ecological context for understanding their unique characteristics. Moreover, this section describes the tourism sector in each of the reserves, outlining the specific tourism offerings, activities, and themes prevalent in each location. This descriptive information provides crucial context for the subsequent analysis of the social construction of landscapes within these tourism contexts. It emphasizes the diverse nature of the chosen case studies and their relevance to the broader research questions. 5. Results. The social landscape as a basis for tourists' appropriation of landscape: This chapter presents the results of the analysis of media representations (websites and tourism marketing materials) of the chosen Biosphere Reserves. It examines how these media portray the landscapes, exploring the images and narratives used to construct a specific image of the reserves for potential tourists. The analysis is conducted through the lenses of existing social constructivist theories, focusing on how the mediated landscapes are presented and how this relates to actual experiences. 6. Results. Semi-structured qualitative tourism expert and actor interviews: appropriated physical landscape: This chapter presents findings from semi-structured interviews conducted with key actors within the tourism sector in the three Biosphere Reserves. This qualitative data provides nuanced insights into how tourism professionals and stakeholders understand and represent the landscapes of the reserves. The analysis focuses on how these perspectives align with or diverge from the media representations explored in the previous chapter and explores the implications for tourism management and visitor experiences. The diverse range of interviewees (reserve administrations, tourism marketing organizations, local businesses) enables a holistic perspective.Frequently asked questions
What is the "Language Preview" document about?
The "Language Preview" document provides a comprehensive overview of a Master's thesis, likely in the field of tourism studies and environmental science. It includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and key words.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents outlines the structure of the Master's thesis, covering topics such as:
- Introduction to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and tourism.
- Theoretical background on landscape and tourism, including social constructivist perspectives.
- Materials and methods used for data collection and analysis.
- Description of case studies: Schorfheide-Chorin, Elbe River Landscape, and Spreewald Biosphere Reserves.
- Results from media representation analysis (social landscape).
- Results from semi-structured interviews with tourism experts and actors (appropriated physical landscape).
- Discussion of findings, comparison with existing research, and limitations of the study.
What are the main objectives of the thesis?
The Master's thesis aims to analyze the representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes within the context of tourism, using a social constructivist perspective. The study investigates how these landscapes are perceived and constructed by different actors, and how these representations influence tourism experiences and practices.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include:
- Representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism.
- Social constructivist perspective on landscape perception.
- Analysis of media representations and expert interviews.
- Case studies of German Biosphere Reserves.
- The interplay between physical landscape and social constructions of landscape.
What research methods were used?
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including:
- Case studies of three German Biosphere Reserves.
- Content analysis of media representations (websites, marketing materials).
- Semi-structured qualitative interviews with tourism experts and actors in the biosphere reserves.
- Interpretive content analysis for qualitative data.
What are the case studies?
The case studies are three German Biosphere Reserves:
- Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
- Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve (Brandenburg)
- Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
What does Chapter 5 cover?
Chapter 5 presents the results of the analysis of media representations of the Biosphere Reserves. It focuses on how the media portrays the landscapes and how this shapes tourists' perceptions.
What does Chapter 6 cover?
Chapter 6 presents the findings from semi-structured interviews with tourism professionals and stakeholders. It explores their perspectives on the landscapes of the reserves and how these perspectives influence tourism management.
Who were the interviewees in Chapter 6?
The interviewees represent a diverse group of actors in the tourism sector, including:
- Biosphere Reserve administrations
- City/communal administrations
- Visitor and information centres
- Tourism marketing organisations/associations
- Ranger association / tour guides
- Hotels/holiday apartments / regional products
- Tourism destinations specific to each BR region
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- Tetiana Rudenko (Author), 2022, Representations of Biosphere Reserve landscapes in tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1587319
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