Ecotourism: supply of nature or tourist demand?

Perkins, Helen; Grace, Debra Ann

doi:10.1080/14724040802534992

Cited by 40 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Accordingly, Irwin (1994) reports that WTP rankings for different environmental attractions do not differ substantially from attractiveness rankings. Similarly, Perkins and Grace (2009) reveal that tourists' greater intention to engage in ecotourism, as well as their actual behavior, is a consequence of their ecotourism interests and explicit preferences for such attractions.…”

Section: Moderating Role Of Ecotourism Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why pay more for sustainable services? The case of ecotourism

Kazeminia

Hultman

Mostaghel

2016

Journal of Business Research

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This study draws on dual-processing theory and post-materialism assumptions to uncover the role of attitudinal and materialistic values in determining the degree to which consumers are willing to pay premium prices for sustainable tourism services. Findings from a large-scale survey of Swedish potential ecotourists reveal that, while attitude and environmental beliefs relate positively to willingness to pay premium (WTPP) for ecotourism, materialistic values exert a negative effect. In line with the theory of affect heuristics, study results further suggest that by giving rise to the intensity of feelings toward the offering, ecotourism interest alters the interplay of affective and evaluative antecedents, so that greater interest amplifies the influence of affective attitude and materialistic values on WTPP while simultaneously attenuating the effect of environmental beliefs.

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Section: Moderating Role Of Ecotourism Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why pay more for sustainable services? The case of ecotourism

Kazeminia

Hultman

Mostaghel

2016

Journal of Business Research

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“…Relatively few have included specific questions related to ecotourists' support for sustainability (e.g. Kerstetter et al, 2004;Kwan, Eagles and Gebhardt, 2010;Perkins & Grace, 2009;Weaver, 2002). In addition, as Sharpley (2006) notes, little of this research has been undertaken in the actual ecotourism context and this has resulted in diverse findings.…”

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confidence: 99%

The third criterion of ecotourism: are ecotourists more concerned about sustainability than other tourists?

Beaumont

2011

Journal of Ecotourism

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The third criterion of ecotourism: Are ecotourists more concerned about sustainability than other tourists?Ecotourism can be defined by three core criteria: nature, learning and sustainability. The ecotourist market has been segmented by the nature and learning criteria only. It has been assumed that ecotourists are environmentally concerned and therefore sustainability is a factor in their decisionmaking. However, little empirical research has confirmed this assumption. This study surveyed 243 respondents participating in an ecotourism experience in Australia. It identified ecotourists according to the nature and learning criteria as per previous segmentation studies. Proenvironmental attitudes were measured as an indication of their support for sustainability. Results revealed no significant differences in pro-environmental attitudes between those identified as ecotourists and those considered non-ecotourists. Whilst demand exists for nature and learning experiences, compliance with the sustainability criterion seems to be no more a factor in ecotourist decision-making than for mainstream tourists. Implications are that market segmentation research should consider all relevant criteria when segmenting a market for a particular product to ensure supply matches demand. However, demand for certain products can be created by innovative marketing practices. This would enable the ecotourism industry to respond to the market's demand for nature and learning, but also influence the behaviour and structure of the market with regard to sustainability.Keywords: core criteria of ecotourism; product differentiation; market segmentation; ecotourist market; pro-environmental attitudes; sustainability 3 IntroductionDespite a variety of definitions of ecotourism since its emergence in the 1980s, it is now generally agreed by academics, government and the tourism industry that ecotourism can be identified by three core criteria: nature, learning, and sustainability (Beaumont, 1998;Blamey, 1995;Weaver, 2008). The sustainability criterion incorporates environmental, social and economic elements and therefore includes criteria referred to specifically in some definitions, such as conservation and community benefits. However, because of ecotourism's focus on nature the emphasis tends to be on environmental sustainability. The three core criteria have been used to differentiate ecotourism from other tourism products and accordingly ecotourism products are expected to comply with the three criteria. Those seeking eco accreditation or certification must comply with stringent requirements regarding these criteria. Compliance with the environmental sustainability criterion has led many ecotourism operators to implement extensive environmentally friendly practices and management systems, and has tended to put some of them at the upper end of the price scale.By contrast, ecotourist market segmentation research has identified the ecotourist as a tourist with motivations and behaviour related only to the nature and learning criteria of ecot...

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“…It should be added that the Latvian Ecotourism Development Strategy [7] is still the most complete ecotourism policy-planning document in our country and, as such, is the first comprehensive ecotourism planning document that takes into account both global experience and prospects for ecotourism in Latvia. The results of studies from around the world reveal that ecotourism, if properly planned and implemented, has a minimal impact and does not entail any long-term residue on wildlife in protected nature territories [8,9,10,11]. At present, the main document in the field of environmental policy in Latvia is the "Environmental Policy Strategy 2009 -2015" which will continue to form the basis for environmental quality preservation and renewal, as well as for the sustainable use of natural resources, while limiting adverse impacts on the environment and human health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Ecotourism in the Reduction of Anthropogenic Load on Natura 2000 Territories throughout Latvia

Leitis¹

2011

Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University. Environmental and Climate Technologies

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-Ecotourism is able to contribute to biodiversity and to ensure the ecosystem function in Latvia through a complicated process of fulfilment of the established criteria for a valid ecotourism. The tourism flow in protected nature territories should be monitored, and the appropriate environmental management, education and a code of conduct need to be introduced. Ecotourism will serve for reducing the social and economic pressures on biodiversity and will promote responsible actions in support of environmentally friendly technologies and approaches. The areas selected for this study are the Natura 2000 territories that have undertaken the development of ecotourism facilities.

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Ecotourism: supply of nature or tourist demand?

Cited by 40 publications

References 21 publications

Why pay more for sustainable services? The case of ecotourism

Why pay more for sustainable services? The case of ecotourism

The third criterion of ecotourism: are ecotourists more concerned about sustainability than other tourists?

The Role of Ecotourism in the Reduction of Anthropogenic Load on Natura 2000 Territories throughout Latvia

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