Application of GPS tracking for monitoring spatially unconstrained outdoor recreational activities in protected areas – A case study of ski touring in the Tatra National Park, Poland

Abstract New trends in leisure and outdoor recreation show an increased penetration of remote areas and the development of spatially unconstrained outdoor recreational activities. Here we present the application of GPS tracking to monitor a spatially unconstrained recreational activity, using ski touring in the Tatra National Park (TNP) as a study case. Particular focus of the study was the spatial and temporal behaviour of ski tourers with regard to existing management measures implemented in the Park, where recreation is limited to designated zones. The research is based upon empirical data (n = 427 ski touring GPS tracks). ArcGIS and statistics software SPSS were used for spatial and sta…