Cycling as a means to improve the health and Wellbeing of both locals and visitors of national parks

Abstract

The cause of numerous illnesses are obesity, anxiety, and hypertension. Physical activity reduces the higher risks of factors associated with various cardiovascular diseases. Cycling is a prominent type of physical activity. Locals, as well as visitors, can perform cycling. It is important to motivate locals and visitors coming to National Parks to reduce car usage and enhance bike usage; this can be achieved by highlighting the associated health benefits and reduced risk of diseases. Past research has identified many methods to promote cycling usage by highlighting its advantages, such as reducing the effect of multiple diseases e.g. all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity morbidity. This research, via literature review, identifies the health and wellbeing benefits. Additionally, it proposes a few strategies (healthy streets, kilometre allowances, and cycle superhighways), along with an implementation approach, to promote cycling within and around National Parks.

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Cycling as a means to improve the health and
Wellbeing of both locals and visitors of national
parks
Muhammad Shaker, Elke Hermans & Ammara Zahoor
To cite this article: Muhammad Shaker, Elke Hermans & Ammara Zahoor (2021): Cycling
as a means to improve the health and Wellbeing of both locals and visitors of national parks,
International Journal of Spa and Wellness, DOI: 10.1080/24721735.2021.1898833
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Cycling as a means to improve the health and Wellbeing of
both locals and visitors of national parks
Muhammad Shaker
a
, Elke Hermans
a
and Ammara Zahoor
b
a
UHasselt –Universiteit Hasselt, Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Diepenbeek, Belgium;
b
University
of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The cause of numerous illnesses are obesity, anxiety, and
hypertension. Physical activity reduces the higher risks of factors
associated with various cardiovascular diseases. Cycling is a
prominent type of physical activity. Locals, as well as visitors, can
perform cycling. It is important to motivate locals and visitors
coming to National Parks to reduce car usage and enhance bike
usage; this can be achieved by highlighting the associated health
benefits and reduced risk of diseases. Past research has identified
many methods to promote cycling usage by highlighting its
advantages, such as reducing the effect of multiple diseases e.g.
all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, cardiovascular diseases, and
obesity morbidity. This research, via literature review, identifies
the health and wellbeing benefits. Additionally, it proposes a few
strategies (healthy streets, kilometre allowances, and cycle
superhighways), along with an implementation approach, to
promote cycling within and around National Parks.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Received 30 November 2020
Accepted 2 March 2021
KEYWORDS
Cycling; national parks;
visitors; diseases; health
benefits
Introduction
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 150 min of physical activity
per week (WHO, 2010). Increasing proportions of western and other populations fail to
achieve this level of activity (Götschi et al., 2016). The recommended physical activity
level can be achieved by integrating cycling into daily routine exercise and promoting
cycling in national parks. There are many types of physical activity, such as walking,
cycling, swimming, etc. However, this study focuses on cycling. Nature provides room
for cycling, and cycling leads to several health benefits. There is an important relationship
between mental health and nature, as physical activity and open space are directly linked
to psychological comfort (Bratman et al., 2012; Douglas, 2012; Kaplan, 2001; Maller et al.,
2006; Sullivan et al., 2004; Wood et al., 2017). Physical activity plays a vital role in a healthy
lifestyle (Götschi et al., 2016). Visitors often coming to spa and wellness destinations reg-
ularly engage themselves in physical activities e.g. cycling and hiking (Vukovićet al.,
2015). Through a recent survey, by the Wellness Tourism Association and the Global Well-
ness Institute, it was found that visitors are interested in a reconnection to nature, a sense
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
CONTACT Muhammad Shaker shaker2762@gmail.com Universiteit Hasselt - Transportation Research Institute
(IMOB), Wetenschapspark 5 bus 6, - B-3590 Diepenbeek Kantoor WETP5-0.20, Belgium
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPA AND WELLNESS
https://doi.org/10.1080/24721735.2021.1898833

of adventure and a need to safely socialise as they look forward to wellness travel
post-COVID (Gibson, 2019). National parks with adequate infrastructure for bikes
provide a healthy opportunity for physical activity to locals and attract a large number
of tourists, for example, installing lights in the Monsal trails in the Peak District National
Park in England, significantly increased the number of tourists (Monsal Trail, 2020). It
has been observed in most studies that the health benefits due to physical activity (PA)
are significantly larger than the health risks caused by exposure to air pollution (Tainio
et al., 2016). Cycling is one of the economic sources of physical activity that benefits a
healthy life and improves a quality lifestyle. When integrating mobility and physical
activity, cycling offers benefits to a large population because it does not require a high
level of skills. On the other hand, cycling is a relatively cheap physical activity that every-
body can afford (Götschi et al., 2016).
A common phenomenon is that an increase in visitors’numbers entails an increase
of the level of congestion in counties surrounding the national parks (Shaker, Adnan,
et al., 2020). In Europe, 72% of the European population lives in urban areas, resulting
in an increase in noise and air pollution and a less healthy lifestyle (Oldenziel &
Albert de la Bruheze, 2016). Due to the increase in congestion, more people
started to use a bicycle, which is an important step towards a healthy lifestyle and
a more sustainable environment. Many European cities have started cycling projects
to aim for health and prosperity (Oldenziel & Albert de la Bruheze, 2016; Ritchie,
1998). The same mechanism is needed in urban counties within the proximity of
national parks. Cycling is an economical mode of transport for some people, but it
is also a fast mode of transportation for short distances. Cycling is beneficial for
the environment as well as for individual health because it plays an important role
in society’sdifferent issues of climate change and the increase in people’s obesity
levels (Su et al., 2010; Vujko et al., 2013).
In national parks, cycling is not only known for leisure time tourism, but it is also con-
sidered a good mode of transport and an environmentally friendly form of tourism (Koch,
2013). Other benefits of cycling include a higher level of fitness, longer life expectations,
reduction in sick leaves, and reduced medical treatments’heavy cost (Genter & NZ Trans-
port Agency, 2009; Gössling, Choi, et al., 2019). In a study by Huguet et al. (2018)itis
revealed that multifactorial, interdisciplinary primary healthcare intervention with a
focus on physical activity helps in the prevention of frailty in pre-frail elderly patients,
and improves functional capacity. For any age, cycling is one of the safest ways of exercise
for a healthy life (İçöz et al., 2018). However, for the elderly, it is essential to engage them-
selves in physical activities to maintain an optimal health and wellbeing in their life, as
limited or moderate physical activity is better in terms of health and wellness than no
activity (Ayenigbara, 2020). Currently, common causes behind all known diseases are
obesity, anxiety, and hypertension (Vujko & Plavša, 2011). According to medical
experts, cycling is a good form of exercise. According to medical experts’research, phys-
ical activity is considered one of the best treatments for obesity, hypertension, and stress
(Oja et al., 2011;Vujko et al., 2017).
Over the past 30 years, worldwide, most nations are seeing a large increase in obesity
rates. Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, cardiovascular diseases, and
some types of cancers are found in more than 300 million adults due to obesity
because obesity puts them at a higher risk of these diseases (Pucher et al., 2010). Physical
2M. SHAKER ET AL.

activity reduces the increased risks of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular type dis-
eases (Yang et al., 2010). Physical inactivity is considered to be the main reason for illness
leading to death. Walking and cycling can be valuable daily physical activities. The degree
of reliance on cycling for daily travel differs greatly among countries. European countries
with high walking and cycling rates have lower obesity rates than Australia and countries
in North America that are highly car-dependent (Pucher et al., 2010). A modal shift from
motorised travel to cycling results in a more healthy and emission-free environment
(Götschi et al., 2016; Woodcock et al., 2014). Limited research has been carried out,
which shows the e-/cycling influence and its results on physiological or psychological
health (Peterman et al., 2016). However, rates of active travelling are low. Common
obstacles to cycling contain the physical constraints related to hilly terrain, poor physical
fitness, lack of time, and the distance to work or a particular destination (Gerike & Parkin,
2016). Cyclists are the ones most affected by motorised transportation air pollution. They
had higher respiration rates in their respiratory system because of this pollution (Gössling,
Choi, et al., 2019; Int Panis et al., 2010). Cyclists are identified to be involved in deviations
to avoid the car’s negative externalities at a significant time cost (Gössling, Humpe, et al.,
2019).
The study’s objective is to determine the health and wellbeing related advantages of
cycling. Another focus of the study is to indicate measures to promote and enhance
cycling by highlighting health-related benefits. In this article, the author explores the
ways to convince locals residing near national parks and national park visitors to use a
bicycle to reach the destination based on extensive literature research. The research
findings indicate how cycling can persuade locals to use bikes for work to home trips,
and tourists to explore nature by bike by identifying the health benefits. The author pro-
vides a baseline to mobilise visitors to use cycling as a mode to end-up with journeys and
reduce the effect of diseases.
Methods
This research note is based on a number of research articles and abstracts that were
explored using a combination of the following keywords: physical activity, cycling pro-
motion, cycle tourism, cycling advantages, mobility, health benefits from e-/cycling,
national parks, tourist health, and air pollution. All acknowledged papers were classified
according to relevance based on the title and/or abstract. Seale, 2018 also applied the
same methodology in his study. In preliminary research, based on keywords, a total
number of 255 articles were identified, sub-categorized into two categories, out of
which 178 in category-1 (for health benefits, physical activity, advantages, and tourist
health) and 77 in category-2 (for cycling promotion, mobility, national parks and air pol-
lution). Google scholar, the web of science, and Scopus were used as search engines/data-
base. In the end, the researcher separated 54 peer-reviewed articles (43 from category-1
and 11 from category-2) for an in-depth study (see Figure 1). The criteria defined for the
inclusion of these articles are based on the impact of cycling in reducing mortality or mor-
bidity, health and benefits of health (Oja et al., 2011). The research identifies a few of the
successful strategies that were implemented in the past, along with outcomes achieved
through these strategies. The research also gives a way forward to implement these strat-
egies in national parks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPA AND WELLNESS 3

Findings
The findings of the research are divided into two parts. Part one gives results, containing
the health benefits (that could be) achieved, when cycling/physical activity is promoted
within and around national parks. The second part deals with a more practical implemen-
tation to promote and enhance cycling for both locals and visitors.
A growing body of literature indicates that physical activity also yields mental health
and wellbeing benefits (Hosker et al., 2019). In different studies, it is found that cycling
is a tool to maintain health, wellbeing and to reduce higher risks of other diseases such
as obesity, anxiety, depression, etc. (Genter & NZ Transport Agency, 2009; Holm et al.,
2012; Litman, 2005). From a physiological point of view, physical activity through
cycling is equivalent to other activities of equal intensity, duration, and frequency, such
as manual labour, sports, exercise, or walking (Götschi et al., 2016). Cycling is also ben-
eficial in reducing overweight health-related problems (Bassett et al., 2008). In
Denmark, benefits of cycling have been quantified; cycling is estimated to prevent
about 3,000 deaths, >3,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, almost 6,000 cases of cardiovascular
disease as well as more than 2,000 cases of cancer per year (Blondiau et al., 2016;L.B.
Andersen et al., 2000; Rasmussen et al., 2016).
In research, the health risks of air pollution were estimated, and it was found that air
pollution causes a large burden of diseases all over the world (Burnett et al., 2014).
Since motorised vehicles are an important source of air pollution, mode shifts from
motorised transport to active travel would improve health in active travellers and
Figure 1. Research methodology.
4M. SHAKER ET AL.

reduce air pollution exposures for the whole population (De Hartog et al., 2010). Although
the case of air pollution is different for protected areas, the policyholders are worried
because of the large number of cars moving towards national parks (Shaker, Hermans,
et al., 2020). Protected areas provide an environment with relatively low air pollution;
however, the question arises about the pollution level that will be higher with the
increase in motor-vehicles. For example, if the concentration of fine particles or PM
2.5
con-
centrations increases to 100 μg/m3, then the harms of cycling in PA would exceed
benefits (Tainio et al., 2016). Epidemiological evidence found that cycling has positive
health effects, even in a highly polluted environment (Z. J. Andersen et al., 2015). It is
essential to motivate locals and visitors, to switch from cars to bikes, to prevent future dis-
advantages of motorised vehicles. One of the motivational tools is the development of a
mobility app. Mobility apps with guided cycling routes and assistance for visitors would
significantly affect the visitors’behaviour towards a mode switch (Shaker, Hermans, et al.,
2020).
Reviewers have consistently identified tourists’preferences towards parks and green
spaces. It is found that cycling in a national park/nature is directly related to visitors’
health benefits. Cycling can also reduce the level of different diseases like adverse
mental health, obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and reduction in death
rate (Egorov et al., 2016; Fong et al., 2018; James et al., 2015; Müller-Riemenschneider
et al., 2020). Nature, such as parks and open spaces is the main source to find peace,
silence, and interaction with nature, but it is also useful in reducing stress and anxiety.
Cycling serves not only to improve physical wellbeing but also to improve emotional well-
ness as described in the La Sierra pilot programme article (Estrella et al., 2019). Cycling can
be an outstanding therapeutic and stress relieving activity, particularly when it is an
enjoyable and consistent activity (Estrella et al., 2019). So, combining cycling and
nature is directly related to mental health and wellbeing, which shows the curative
health benefits (Bedimo-Rung et al., 2005; Chiesura, 2004; Kuo et al., 1998; Maller et al.,
2006; Ward Thompson et al., 2012; Wolch et al., 2014).
In another article, the author explains research through quantitative measures of
cycling for any purpose (stationary cycling excluded), estimates of mortality or morbidity
(including disease risk factors) and/or measures of health and function (e.g. fitness). One
of the most-cited prospective cycling studies reported pooled data from three epidemio-
logical surveys from Copenhagen, Denmark (L. B. Andersen et al., 2000). This study
addressed physical activity during leisure time, work, sports, and cycling to work. The
cohorts included 13,375 women and 17,265 men, with a mean follow-up time of 14.5
years. The analysis of cycling to work consisted of 783 women and 6,171 men. The relative
risk of all-cause mortality in the cyclist group was 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.57–
0.91) compared to non-cyclists after adjustment for multiple confounders, including
leisure-time physical activity. The study results proved a consistent positive relationship
between cycling, health and functional benefits in young boys and girls. The analysis
also showed improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and disease risk factors as well
as a significant risk reduction for all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, cardiovascular dis-
orders, cancer, and morbid obesity in middle-aged and older men and women (Pekka Oja
et al., 2011). It is highlighted by Brehme et al. (2018)that older visitors visit the park more
often compared to younger visitors; however, if younger people visit protected areas, it is
often for active recreation such as cycling. It is also indicated that many of the visitors walk
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPA AND WELLNESS 5

and cycle within the park. Significant advantages could be achieved if cycling is promoted
for leisure and work trips within and around national parks.
In another study, it was found that, by doing e-cycling for four weeks, there was a
decrease in 2-h plasma glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test (Peterman et al.,
2016). Research findings revealed that there is an influence of workout on obese
persons on 2-h post-workout glucose concentration. Still, this finding is new in the
background of e-cycling and conventional cycling, and also, there were no metabolic
changes found in the same study (Little et al., 2014;Ryndersetal.,2014). According
to the studies on conventional cycling by Geus et al. (2008)andOjaetal.(1991)
there were zero effects on the metabolism. The use of e-cycling is useful for young indi-
viduals’health (Bourne et al., 2018). However, research also shows that e-cycling pro-
duced reasonable energy or strength for elderly persons who recovered due to
coronary artery (Hansen et al., 2018).
Götschi et al. (2016) conclude in their research that cycling’s health impacts play a
central role in considerations about bicycle promotion. Benefits from cycling are of
such magnitude that they are worth pursuing by individuals, as well as by society,
even though locally, safety issues may need to be addressed simultaneously. In many
aspects, cycling’s health benefits are more tangible than other reasons to promote
cycling and provide a quantifiable case for investments in this mode of transport
(Götschi et al., 2016). Cycling and walking present a benefit of 0.18 €and 0.37 per km com-
pared to car use, which relates to a cost of 0.11 euro per km (Holm et al., 2012). A study by
Smiley et al. (2020) indicated that cycling more than 22 km per week is significantly linked
to a steeper rise in wellbeing and health than biking less than 21 km per week.
It should be noted that cycling could have negative impacts on health and wellness as
well, particularly related to the infrastructure level of cycling lanes. Roughness caused by
large cracks, bumps, potholes and loose gravel could cause undesirable vibrations and
put cyclists at risk of falling. Bicycle stress level indicators that have been proposed in litera-
ture show that the condition of the pavement surface is also an issue for these unpleasant
vibrations (Nuñez et al., 2018). Vertical acceleration by cyclists can also be a reason for
various health problems. These problems and discomfort are produced when these
vibrations are strong and long lasting (Bernard, 1997; Parkin & Sainte Cluque, 2014).
These health problems include fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, irritability, forgetful-
ness and impotence (Bernard, 1997), carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, hand-arm
vibration syndrome, back musculoskeletal disorders (Dupuis & Gemne, 1985), hand and
arm blood flow issues (numbness and white fingers), knee pain, and back pain (Parkin &
Sainte Cluque, 2014). Accelerometers can be used to measure vertical acceleration by
cyclists (Ambrož,2017;Arpinar-Avsaretal.,2013;Ayachietal.,2015;Duetal.,2009; Giubi-
lato & Petrone, 2012; Macdermid et al., 2014; Takahashi et al., 2015) and characteristics of
vibrations on cycling lanes. However, slight improvements in the infrastructure of cycling
lanes can negate the aforementioned effects on health.
Based on the aforementioned findings and literature research, the author considers
that cycling can help users achieve a number of health-related benefits. Apart from
the aforementioned findings, in Table 1,different strategies are highlighted. These
were already applied in the context of urban and national parks. These strategies had
a significant impact on health and attracted a decent number of tourists to national
parks. The outcomes achieved through these methods are also highlighted. The
6M. SHAKER ET AL.

Table 1. Implementation of successful strategies to promote cycling to achieve numerous health
benefits.
Case studies
Outcomes achieved through the
implementation
Health benefits linked to these
strategies
The Healthy Streets Approach
London, United Kingdom
(Boschetti, 2017)
The plan targets Londoners to use
their cars less and walk, cycle, and
use public transport more.
Provision of improved local
environments. By providing more
space for walking and cycling and
better public spaces where people
can interact.
This plan helped a large share of the
London’s population to use an
active mode of transport such as
cycling for their daily physical
activity.
This plan predicts that in 2041, 80%
of the population trips will be
made by cycle, foot, and public
transport (which is 64% at this
stage).
The greatest health benefits through
London’s increases in cycling relate to
1,210 fewer premature deaths (95%
CI: 447–1,972) each year (Mueller et
al., 2018). Cycling can fire up users’
neurotransmitters, can improve the
ability to concentrate and retain
information. On the environmental
side, cycling can provide faster access
to destinations in urban areas than
travelling by car, thus saving you time
and money (Seale, 2018).
Recommended implementation approach in national parks
1. Identify the potential bike paths connecting to national parks
2. Provide connectivity via bike routes connecting urban counties and POIs of national parks
3. Illuminate required paths and ensure visibility and safety
4. Highlight the health and wellbeing benefits associated with biking within and around national parks, e.g. through
awareness campaigns, seminars, etc.
Cycling kilometric allowance
(Boschetti, 2017)
In 2017, France launched a new
action plan dedicated to active
travel (walking and cycling).
Part of this was a kilometric cycling
allowance for commuters cycling to
work. Those using their own bike
will receive €0.25 per kilometre
cycled and up to €200 annually.
Out of 10,600 employees of these
firms, 380 employees got benefits
from this project allowance.
People recorded as being “new
cyclists”had mostly switched from
public transport; 20% were former
car users, and 9% previously drove
mopeds or motorcycles.
The number of inactive people
halved, whilst over 80% of the
participants reported engaging in
extra physical activity.
During its six-month monitoring period,
data gathered by ADEME estimated a
2.7-ton reduction in CO
2
emissions,
which works out at an average of 0.03
tons per new cyclist per year
(Boschetti, 2017).
The higher the distance travelled using a
bicycle, the higher the chances of
reducing blood pressure (Chavarrias et
al., 2019).
Implementation approach in national parks
1. Develop a mobility app to register the number of visitors that reach the park by bike
2. Link the app to health parameters
3. Use the app to track the distance travelled by bike and monitor health and wellbeing benefits achieved by physical
activity
4. Introduce rewards based on distance travelled by bike, e.g. free participation in (yoga) exercises, discounts on (fitness)
activities, etc.
Cycle Superhighways in
Copenhagen, Denmark
(Boschetti, 2017)
Development of superbike paths.
Provided connectivity between
residential areas and workplaces.
A 30% increase was recorded in the
use of cycles after the launch of the
first cycle superhighway track.
An annual reduction of
approximately 856 ton of CO
2
.
A reduction of 34.000 days in sick
leave annually.
Car drivers who opted to use the Cycle
Superhighways and take the bike
instead experienced health benefits
associated with a decrease in body fat
of 0.6–2%. An annual reduction of
approximately 856 tons of CO
2
was
achieved (Boschetti, 2017).
Implementation approach in national parks
1. Motivate commuters to use bikes on their home to work trips, convince companies to provide bike loans up to 200 £
for employees
2. Infrastructure development, e.g. remove uneven patches, holes and surface levelling to overcome negative impacts of
cycling
3. Ensure bike lane segregation on connecting highways
4. Monitor, control, and disseminate the information about health and wellbeing benefits achieved by reducing car
usage
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPA AND WELLNESS 7

stepwise approaches are recommended in Table 1 to implement these strategies in
national parks.
Conclusions
Literature research study indicates that physical activity, especially cycling, generates
health and wellbeing benefits, e.g. a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dia-
betes, and obesity health-related problems. If the physical activity is carried out in
national parks away from densely polluted areas, it would definitely have significant
health and wellbeing benefits. Compared to a cost of 0.11€per km by car, cycling and
walking benefits can be quantified as 0.18€respectively 0.37 per km (Holm et al.,
2012). Implementation of strategies like healthy cycling streets, the provision of cycling
allowances, and the infrastructure development of cycling tracks associated with a
number of health benefits would help to obtain a modal shift. It will minimise the risk
of various diseases and attract a significant number of tourists who enjoy biking in a
peaceful environment. Especially, it would be a nice gesture to visitors coming to wellness
destinations. The benefits of cycling are not only limited to an individual’s health, but this
physical activity also has long-term benefits for the environment and society. The need of
the hour is to motivate users to cover more kilometres by bikes. Extensive research is
required to determine the locals’and visitors’behaviour towards biking for multipurpose
trips towards national parks.
Until now, most of the studies (Marks et al., 2020;Sibi&Abraham,2017; Traskevich
&Fontanari,2018) have a limited focus on the impact of cycling on health and well-
being. However, this study identifies the benefits of cycling, not only on health but
also for wellbeing. The study finds that cycling has the potential to improve physical
health and mental wellness. In the past, various measures have been proposed;
however, these studies do not recommend implementation strategies. This study indi-
cates feasible measures, health and wellness benefits, and recommends implemen-
tation steps to motivate managers and key stakeholders to implement these
strategies successfully.
From a managerial point of view, a way forward is given to understand the benefits of
promoting and enhancing cycling within and around protected areas. The managers need
to start working on the implementation of these measures to reduce pollution and con-
gestion caused by the growing number of cars. In that way, visitors can also benefitin
terms of their health and wellbeing. The measures have been implemented in urban
case studies with highly polluted areas. However, by applying these measures in national
parks, more health-related benefits could be achieved.
Apart from the advantages associated with cycling, research can also be carried
out to investigate the impact of a particular cycling stimulating measure on health
and wellbeing through a before-and-after study. Furthermore, comprehensive
research can be carried out to compare the stress level of visitors coming by bike
with other modes.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank Nadine SMEYERS, University of Hasselt, for language editing, and proofreading.
8M. SHAKER ET AL.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was supported by Higher Education Commision, Pakistan.
Notes on contributors
Muhammad Shaker is doing a Ph.D. in transportation science from Hasselt University, Belgium. He
has a master’s degree in transportation sciences. His major concerns of research for his Ph.D. are
sustainable mobility and tourism within and around protected areas. His latest research focuses
Impact of Transport Network Changes on Tourism in Protected Areas.
Elke Hermans is professor and coordinator of the Centre for Travel and Tourism Research within
Hasselt University, Belgium. She is also a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Leuven,
Belgium where she is involved in the Master in Tourism program. Elke Hermans has a Master of
Business Economics and a Ph.D. in Transportation Sciences. Her scientificfield covers transportation
and tourism. One of her main research interests is tourism in protected areas.
Ammara Zahoor has completed her masters in urban planning from University of Engineering and
Techonology, Lahore. Her research focus is mainly towards urban planning, mobility and tourism.
ORCID
Muhammad Shaker http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0422-6683
Elke Hermans http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9496-8690
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