Auyuittuq and Quttinirpaaq National Parks in the eastern Arctic Nunavut Region of Canada: 2003-2004 visitor experience study

This data publication contains audio and transcriptions of in-depth qualitative interviews of visitors, local residents, and scientists at Auyuittuq National Park (ANP) and Quttinirpaaq National Park (QNP) of Nunavut, Canada conducted in 2003. The interviews were meant to obtain information and feedback regarding visitor experiences. This data publication also contains survey responses from visitors to ANP in 2004. The total population of visitors to QNP was only 20 in 2004, while 16 of those completed the survey they were not included in analysis or the data published here. The survey data include visitor demographics and experiences in the parks as well as visitor opinions of the various management actions.
A joint, three-phase research project was launched in 2002 in an effort to better understand the characteristics of and influences on visitors’ experiences in Auyuittuq and Quttinirpaaq National Parks of Nunavut, Canada. This study was conducted to provide information to Parks Canada’s Nunavut Field Unit, which identified a need to develop a more complete understanding of the experiences of recreation visitors, in an effort to protect various values and monitor influences. The project was one in a series of studies in arctic settings to understand the various orientations of different groups of people (e.g. native, tourist, distant populations, development interests, etc.) toward the natural landscapes, protected area management and collaborative planning. This research builds on those previous studies and is conducted collaboratively by Parks Canada, the University of Montana, and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute. The research in this study is primarily concerned with understanding the demographic characteristics of respondents, user and trip characteristics, setting factors that influence the experience of the user and the acceptability of management actions. The study was organized by three fundamental questions: 1). Who are the respondents in this study and what are their trip characteristics? 2). How do respondents experience these parks? 3). What factors influence visitor experiences and how do visitors respond to various management actions in these parks?