National park. The first governmental initiative to set aside land for the protection of its natural qualities was launched in the United States in 1832. However, institutional and regulatory structures were not established until 1872. The first national park in Europe was established in 1909 in Sweden. The national parks became popular places to visit and provided a reason for people to go. The national parks spurred the interest in nature experiences and nature protection, and this was the root of a wide range of organized categories of tourism.