This presentation was made at a IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group side event at the World Parks Congress, Sydney, on 13 November 2014

1. Tourism, Health & PAs
Dr. Robyn Bushell
Institute for Culture & Society,
University of Western Sydney
IUCN Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group

2. PAs are becoming better recognised
as a fundamental health resource.
• The health benefits are many, particularly
for lifestyle-related health problems:
– obesity, cardiovascular and pulmonary
disease, diabetes, stroke, cancers, musculo-
skeletal disease, depression, osteoporosis,
anxiety and sleep problems, behavioural
conditions and degenerative conditions

3. • Green exercise has important public health
consequences
• Physical activity is a recognised co-
determinant of health
• A conceptual shift recognises health
promotion and illness prevention through
social and environmental aspects of public
health far more effective than the treatment of
illness with expensive drugs, with inherent
undesirable side effects

4. A summary of contributions of parks to human
health and well-being
Physical
Provide a variety of settings and infrastructure for various levels
of formal and informal sport and recreation, for all ages, levels of
skill and ability. eg picnics, walking, running, cycling, ball games,
sailing, swimming; assisting with weight loss, improved balance,
improved bone density, fresh air, improved circulation, uptake of
oxygen, healthy muscles, lungs and heart.
Mental
Making nature accessible for restoration from mental stress and
fatigue; mood improvement, solitude, peace and quiet;
enjoyment of the great outdoors; inspiration; creative
expression; educational development

5. Spiritual
Preserve the natural environment for quiet contemplation;
reflection, inspiration, prayer; invoking a sense of place, of
awe; feeling a connection beyond the human.
Social
Provide settings to enhance social networks, personal
relationships for couples, families and friends; social and
recreation clubs; ranger led tours, shared activities;
volunteering; educational opportunities.
Environmental
Preserve ecosystems and biodiversity; provision of clean
air and water; conservation of natural resources and open
space; climate change adaption; foster attachment to and
awareness of nature and a conservation ethic.

6. Healthy Parks Healthy People
seeks to encourage the connections between a healthy
environment and a healthy society
• The UK Countryside Agency (now Natural England) fostered a
interest in the health benefits of green exercise.
• In 2000 Parks Victoria, Australian created the Healthy Parks Healthy
People (HPHP) brand
– commissioned a literature review of all existing published work
– ran the first HPHP congress in 2010
• Since numerous other park agencies worldwide have developed
similar programs.
– HPHP has been adopted as an IUCN
– The approach encourages those from the health, environment, parks,
tourism, community development and education sectors to work together
to provide better outcomes for all.

7. Stream 3: HPHP @ WPC