Current Situation of National Parks

After their establishment, the national parks have built up an infrastructure for visitors, recruited and trained well qualified staff members, initiated nature conservation and research projects, set up educational facilities, promoted public relations and developed visitor programmes that focus on experiencing nature.

All measures are laid down in medium-term management plans.
 
Meanwhile, national parks have not only developed into centres of environmental education but are also well-established and successful regional demonstration projects.  Good management and a total of more than 300 dedicated staff members have succeeded in turning national parks into an attraction for all sections of the population and all age groups, into a refuge for endangered animal and plant species, and into a place of reflection on the essence of life.  The high standard of options offered to the visitors is eventually meant to benefit nature, for “people will only protect what they value”.

Here are some figures to give an example of the order of magnitude. In 2006 some
- 64,612 pupils visited national parks in the course of project days;
- 2,239 excursions and guided walks with 45,000 participants were organised;
- 375 groups came from abroad;
- 128 holiday camps were held for young people;
- 290,535 visitors came to the information centres; and
- 952 events took place.

The Ministry of Life has visitor numbers, effects on tourism, and visitor satisfaction evaluated regularly.  In addition, it coordinates and initiates joint activities under the umbrella brand name of “Nationalparks Austria“ in order to ensure a uniform outward appearance and benefit from synergies.

03.05.2011,