Stakeholder perception of regulating commercial tourism in Victorian National Parks, Australia

In 2013, the Victorian State Government, Australia, amended legislation to allow the private sector to build and operate tourism superstructure within National Park borders. This study utilised a theoretical regulatory framework to categorise the strategies which regulate commercial tourism in National Parks. Data pertaining to stakeholders' perceptions of the effectiveness of each strategy were collected. Stakeholders within this study sought a clearer government vision for tourism superstructure in National Parks, one which acknowledged conservation as priority and was supported by a more comprehensive regulatory system addressing potential impacts. The results from this study have practical implications for designing an efficacious regulatory system for tourism superstructure in National Parks. The findings suggest an efficacious regulatory system could increase stakeholder trust of and support for government regulatory efforts. This study provides a useful framework for future regulatory-focused studies and outlines the theoretical implications for future research in similar settings. •Regulatory framework can be applied to commercial tourism in National Park research.•Distrust in government's ability to regulate built tourism in National Parks exists.•Regulatory efficacy concerns led to opposition of built tourism in National Parks.•Parks Victoria is not adequately resourced to enforce regulations and manage public/private partnerships.•Command and control strategies are efficacious in achieving conservation outcomes, but should not be over-bureaucratic.