Naturum Kullaberg as a node for local nature tourism

Are you interested in topics such as outdoor recreation, local development and sustainability? Then this is a thesis project for you!

Client

At the tip of the Kullahalvön, next to Kullens fyr and surrounded by cliffs and the sea is naturum Kullaberg. Here, visitors have a view of the northern inlet to Öresund and inside the visitor center you can for example take part in an exhibition about the Kullaberg nature reserve, look at the aquarium or learn more about local flora and fauna and get tips on hikes and excursions in the surrounding area. The Kullaberg nature reserve covers the western part of the peninsula and is characterized by dramatic nature with varied topography, steep cliffs and a unique flora and fauna that stands in contrast to the rest of Skåne.

Naturum Kullaberg is owned by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and operated by the County Administrative Board. There are a total of 32 naturum in the country, all located next to different natural environments and with exhibitions and activities that, among other things, aim to provide information about local outdoor life and provide knowledge about the surrounding nature, cultural history and geography. More information about Sweden's various naturum can be found HERE.

At naturum Kullaberg, they have worked actively over the years to engage visitors in various activities to explore the nearby nature. Recently they have had to cut back on that part of the business, but naturum Kullaberg has close collaborations with various local nature tourism companies. Through the concept of "Diplomerade guideföretag", naturum Kullaberg has collaborations where companies can take a course at naturum. After that, naturum Kullaberg can provide information material from various companies that in some cases also use naturum as a starting point for their tours and activities.

Background

Naturum Kullaberg is located in the municipality of Höganäs. To get to naturum, you can drive out onto the Kullahalvön and park right next to it, or you can hike from the nearby towns of Mölle or Arild. From naturum, there are many different trails that cross the nature reserve, but most visitors take the short loop. Next to naturum, visitors can buy ice cream, food and souvenirs, visit the lighthouse and look at the magnificent view. There are also many nice swimming spots in the area, which the local towns have long been known for.

The entire nature reserve in Kullaberg receives around 600,000 visitors each year, and the number of annual visitors to naturum Kullaberg is around 120,000. The majority come during the peak season between June and August, and more than half of the visitors are international tourists. A previous survey showed that only 2% of the annual visitors came from Höganäs municipality. Maybe this is due to the high visitor pressure from tourists - or it is due to something else. Therefore, naturum Kullaberg is now curious about what they can do to become a more attractive destination for people from the local community as well.

Task

In this project, you get to investigate how naturum Kullaberg could become a more interesting destination for the residents of Höganäs municipality. What initiatives could help create a stronger relationship between their business and the local community? Could naturum become a local meeting place? What is needed to make them more interesting as a destination for people living in the surrounding area? What types of activities or similar could they offer?