• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 2018

This study was conducted to determine and compare the perceived number of users (PNU) and evaluative standards for each type of visitors to "Healing Field" of Jangseong Pyunbaek Healing Forest (JPHF). Data were collected from 158 samples selected by convenient sampling method from the users of "Healing Field" in JPHF during September 2017. Visitors to "Healing Field" consisted of 49.3% for recreation (VR), 15.3% for healing (VH), and 35.3% for both recreation and healing (VRH). Respondents' average PNU was 23.8 (median: 20.0), and the range of average PNU by visitor type was 21.1-27.8 (median: 20.0). Respondents' PNU showed low correlations with perceived crowding (PC) (r=0.23) and perceived interference of healing experience (PIHE) (r=0.20). There were no differences in the optimal number of users (ONU) of "Healing Field" among the types of visitors. The overall average ONU was 28.9(median: 25.0), and the range of average ONU by types of visitors was 25.4-31.4 (median: 25.0-27.5). The overall maximum acceptable number of users (MANU) was 38.1, and MANU for VR, VH, and VRH was 36.9, 32.0, and 38.0, respectively. Respondents' mean PC was 2.73 (SD: 3.26, 9-point scale) while mean PIHE was 3.26 (SD: 1.77, 9-point scale). The VRH group showed a higher PC and PIHE than the VR group. The group with greater PNU than ONU showed higher PC and PIHE than the other groups. Based on the results, this paper presented some managerial implications, discussed the limitations of the study, and suggested the further studies.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.454-465
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• 2020

This study measured the present number of encounters and established the evaluation criterion for the allowable number of encounters in the Seoseokdae summit area (SSA) of Mudeungsan National Park to examine managerial conditions of the number of visitors to the Seoseokdae trail section (STS). Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey of 263 visitors to STS selected through convenient sampling during June 2019. The average number of encounters in SSA was 18.7. Most of the respondents (95.4%) encountered fewer than 30 other visitors. The average maximum number of simultaneous users (AMNSU, measured at 15-minute intervals) in SSA was 13.4 persons (range: 3~31 persons). The AMNSU by the hour was the highest with 21.0 persons at 13-14, followed by 19.8 persons at 11-12, 15.5 persons at 14-15, 15.3 persons at 12-13, 12.3 persons at 10-11, and 10.8 persons at 8-9. Acceptable encounter number (AEN) developed by long-question format (LQF) was 59.2 persons, and that by short-question format (SQF) was 55.1 persons. AEN of the respondents who preferred "near-nature experience" at 27.5 persons was fewer than those who preferred "resort/tourism area like experience" at 46.6 persons. The present number of encounters and AMNUS (range: 3~31 persons) in SSA were fewer than AENs derived from LQF (59.2 persons) and SQF (55.1 persons). Eighty-three percent of the respondents preferred "near-nature experience," while only 10.5% of the respondents preferred "resort/tourism area like experience." 78.4% of the respondents did not perceive that SSA was crowded. The absolute majority of the respondents (92.3%) answered higher personal AEN than the perceived encounter numbers (PEN). The gaps between the personal AEN and the PEN were negatively correlated with perceived crowding.