ABSTRACT
Spring ecosystem services (SES) played a significant role throughout history across the globe due to various cultural, socio-economic, and ecological functions. They are well known for their geomorphological diversity, both in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Spring water provides several cultural services, including health and wellness benefits, healing power, and spiritual and religious advantages, due to its nature and properties. Springs play a significant role in attracting tourists, both as an attraction and activity. Numerous studies examined various aspects of the ecosystem services provided by the springs. These studies elucidated mainly on various anthropogenic activities and their impacts on water springs such as degradation and change in the spring ecosystem services. However, research on cultural ecosystem services in connection with spring tourism and its implications on SES is scant. In this regard, it is vital to understand the impacts and implications of tourism on various spring ecosystem services. With this foundation, the study aims to examine the impacts and implications of tourism on the restoration of SES in Latvia’s highly potential spring tourism destinations. Latvia is selected as a study area because the country consists of a significant number of spring sites associated with rich history, culture, and tourism. The study will bring more clarity on the implications and impacts of tourism on SES. The mixed-methods approach including content analysis, qualitative research, and the case study methods is applied. The study entails several issues and a challenge involved in sustainable management of the spring ecosystem and provides strategies to overcome the challenges through the sustainable practice of spring tourism destinations. This study signifies a contribution to the body of literature and new insights to practitioners on promotion and sustainable management of spring tourism resources in Nordic and Baltic States in particular and other destinations in general.
