Factors influencing the role of Non-Wood Forest Products and Services

In the light of social and economic developments, forest functions other than timber production have gained international importance and recognition. Resulting from this development, Non-Wood Forest Products and Services (NWFPS) are becoming more important, both for the general public as for forest owners trying to market them. In order to acquire a better understanding of NWFPS, their role in society and their marketing possibilities, this study aims at defining the factors influencing NWFPS. A comparative study between two countries with a different forest situation, the Netherlands and Norway, has been carried out. These factors are: institutional framework; economic characteristics (rivalry and excludability); demography and forest resources; and attitudes, values and customs. The outcome is that, because of differences on the mentioned factors, forest owners in the Netherlands better off focusing on offering small-scale, nature-based facilities for (short-stay) recreationists, whereas for Norwegian forest owners it is more promising to focus on offering wilderness-experience 'all-in package-deals' to tourists. (c) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.