The Freedomscape of Freedom Camping

Freedom camping is a popular choice for campers who enjoy flexibility and a sense of freedom, often in a natural landscape. However, the nature of 'freedom' in freedom camping is contentious among the multiple stakeholders in freedom camping, who often have diverse interests. While freedom campers often prefer to avoid constraints from authoritative norms and regulations, other stakeholders (e.g., local communities) demand responsible and regulated practices. A review of the extant literature on freedom camping calls for more research to investigate the contemporary phenomenon of freedom camping, and from application of multiple perspectives. There is a need for investigation of interactions between multiple constructions of 'freedom' and an understanding of the dynamic process of negotiating the boundaries of freedom is highlighted.

Key research gaps addressed in this study are articulated in the following research questions: (1) What are the constructions of freedom within freedom camping from the perspectives of freedom campers and stakeholders? (2) How do multiple constructions and perspectives of freedom interact and shape freedom camping? and (3) How does negotiation of freedom between freedom campers and stakeholders foster changes to the existing boundaries of freedom? Utilising Intergroup Threat Theory as an underlying theoretical foundation, along with a preliminary conceptualisation of ‘freedomscape’ (author’s own term) as an investigative framework, data were collected during 2021-2023 using a qualitative multi-method approach (historical method, ethnography, and photo-elicitation interviews). Findings and discussion revealed multiple perspectives of 'freedom' in freedom camping. ‘Desirable Freedom’ from the freedom campers' viewpoint encompasses Comprehensive Freedom Camping Access, Guaranteed Peace of Mind, Psychological Ownership, and Authority and Control, while ‘Acceptable Freedom’ arises from a key stakeholders' perspective: Providing Inclusive Access, Fostering Mindful Behaviour, and Preserving Sustainability. Negotiation is an important feature of stakeholder interaction, always dynamic and balancing expectations between the parties. The result of negotiation, ‘Negotiated Freedom’ means stakeholders’ concerns and interests are considered in a realistic fashion. Additionally, with freedom camping trends identified through historic method as four key periods (i.e., Emergence, Upsurge, Crisis, and Reimagined), reaction tendencies between freedom campers and stakeholders are outlined (i.e., Confront, Comply, Collaborate or Circumvent) and the method by which escalation of concerns in response to incidents are dealt with. This series of reactions represents the dynamics of ‘recalibration’, a continuous cycle of negotiation that changes the existing boundaries of freedom, leading to negotiated freedom.

Three important theoretical contributions are made to tourism and marketing literature. First, this research revises the concepts of freedom by shifting from a freedom camper (tourist) centric concept to an integrated centric concept. Second, by extending the application of Intergroup Threat Theory to freedom camping, this research uncovers eleven threats towards desirable (e.g., Diminishing Access, Authority Anxiety) and acceptable freedom (e.g., Enforcement and Regulatory Complication, Irresponsible Behaviours). These threats suggest that freedom campers exhibit a lower level of in-group identification and power dynamics, leading to stakeholders’ preference to respond collectively with more aggression, highlighting the dynamics of interaction shaping the Freedomscape. Third, a holistic framework of ‘Freedomscape’ (author’s own conceptualisation) is included, in which the freedom camper is positioned as the core encircled by the stakeholders. Between both parties are the boundaries of desirable and acceptable freedom influenced by threats, highlighting the tensions. These findings underpin the development of the ‘Freedomscape framework’ capable of comprehending the dynamics within the freedom camping servicescape. A methodological contribution is made through the application of a flexible research design, capable of producing valuable rich data, observing freedom camping in a naturalistic setting, and obtaining an inclusive (emic and etic) perspective over time. The addition and integration of a historical research lens complements understanding. The narrative is enhanced through the inclusion of photos, painting a rich and realistic setting to share a sense of experience with the reader. This approach contributes significantly to the call for multifaceted and dynamic methods to address complex issues.

Recommendations made as a result of this study outline how tourism stakeholders, including tourism marketers and policy makers can work with and align to the dynamic nature of freedom camping and achieve negotiated freedom in freedom camping as the end result of negotiation that best resolves tensions and conflicting interests. The diverse range of stakeholders and their interests means the continuous cycle of conflict and negotiation is an ongoing feature of Freedomscape.