Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability?
Paper
Paper/Presentation Title | Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability? |
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Presentation Type | Paper |
Authors | |
Author | Beaumont, Narelle |
Editors | Wells, Malcolm |
Journal or Proceedings Title | Proceedings of the 20th Annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference (CAUTHE 2010) |
ERA Conference ID | 50223 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2010 |
Place of Publication | Hobart, Australia |
ISBN | 9781862955608 |
Web Address (URL) of Paper | http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=814578585643088;res=IELHSS |
Conference/Event | 20th 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. |
Keywords | ecotourism; ecotourist market; motivations; nature-based; learning; sustainability |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 350899. Tourism not elsewhere classified |
350606. Marketing research methodology | |
410499. Environmental management not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Management and Marketing |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9z872/identifying-the-ecotourist-market-using-the-core-criteria-of-ecotourism-is-there-a-true-ecotourist-that-seeks-nature-learning-and-sustainability
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