Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability?

Paper


Beaumont, Narelle. 2010. "Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability?" Wells, Malcolm (ed.) 20th Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference (CAUTHE 2010). Hobart, Tasmania 08 - 11 Feb 2010 Hobart, Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability?

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorBeaumont, Narelle
EditorsWells, Malcolm
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 20th Annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference (CAUTHE 2010)
ERA Conference ID50223
Number of Pages14
Year2010
Place of PublicationHobart, Australia
ISBN9781862955608
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=814578585643088;res=IELHSS
Conference/Event20th Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference (CAUTHE 2010)
Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference
Event Details
20th Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference (CAUTHE 2010)
Parent
Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference
Delivery
In person
Event Date
08 to end of 11 Feb 2010
Event Location
Hobart, Tasmania
Event Details
Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference
Annual CAUTHE Conference
Abstract

Ecotourism can be defined by three core criteria: nature-based, learning and sustainability. Research aimed at identifying the ecotourist market has concentrated on motivations and activity related to the first two criteria. Although some research has considered ecological values, there is little evidence whether sustainability also has a role in ecotourist decision-making. This research aims to identify ecotourists based on the motivational and activity elements and then assess the pro-environment attitudes of those so identified as a measure of their support for sustainability, thus identifying the market by the three core criteria of ecotourism. A survey was undertaken of 243 visitors to Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia, prior to commencement of their visit. Results indicated that even on motivational and activity grounds the number of ecotourists was low but was even lower when their environmental attitudes were considered. Omitting the sustainability criterion from earlier studies may have resulted in an over-estimation of the size of the ecotourism market. This may account for a recent focus away from a distinct ecotourism segment and diversification of many ecotourism products. Other motivations may be just as important and tourists may not be concerned whether the ecotourism experience conforms to the three criteria of ecotourism.

Keywordsecotourism; ecotourist market; motivations; nature-based; learning; sustainability
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350899. Tourism not elsewhere classified
350606. Marketing research methodology
410499. Environmental management not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Management and Marketing
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