The aim of this study was to estimate the size and direction of tourism and recreation influence on protected areas within the Natura 2000 sites. The research covered sites in Slovakia within the Alpine Bioregion. Information included in the Standard Data Form (SDF) was analysed and the SDF used as a basic tool to collect data related to the Natura 2000 sites. The tool contains uni-fied information of forms of activities within a given area, their intensity and effect (positive, neutral, or negative) on nature. The study revealed that almost a third of activities pursued in the Slovakian part of the Alpine Bioregion were related to tourism and recreation in the wider sense. Furthermore, the influence of the majority of activities on the environment was considered negative or neutral in all analysed Natura 2000 areas. Only ten forms of activities were found positive in some parts of the Natura 2000 sites. The findings also indicated that the intensity of the analysed activities was similar within the Natura 2000 sites and in the adjacent areas. However, the effects of the selected activities were more often found to be negative within the Natura 2000 sites than in their adjacent areas. The results obtained from this study suggest that broadly understood tourism and recreational activi-ties can be considered an inherent element of human influence on biodiverse areas. They should be taken into consideration in managing and planning Natura 2000 sites and their adjacent areas. Management & Policy Issues eco.mont -Volume 6, Number 2, July 2014 ISSN 2073-106X print version ISSN 2073-1558 online version: