Outdoor activities and visitor risk management in protected areas

The article deals with the establishment ofsqfe recreational zones in protected areas of nature. Risks to visitors and participants in outdoor recreation activities and responsibilities of protected area managements are defined. The basic elements of "visitor risk management" - identifying and assessing risks and selecting safety and control measures are discussed, and so are the financial and legislative aspects of risks. Special focus is placed on the phases in the risk assessment process and the identfication of their levels. The likelihood of risk actualization and the severity of possible consequences are juxtaposed. With the view of reducing risks, legislative, organizational and personnel principles are presented and proposals for the development of an integral risk management program in Croatian national parks and nature parks are given. Clearly regulated levels of care by park managers towards visitors are considered the key issue. However an overly high standard of responsibility of park managers could jeopardize their functioning.