Pub Date : 2021-12-31DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.2019261
J. R. Mangachena, C. Pickering
ABSTRACT Wildlife tourism is an important type of ecotourism including in South Africa. We considered how the aesthetic value theory can be applied to wildlife tourism by assessing the relative popularity of species with tourists in South Africa and which traits predicted popularity. When data from six published visitor surveys across seven protected areas were combined, we found that only 26 species out of 299 mammals and 850 + birds were selected by 2245 tourists. Elephant (48%), black and white rhinos (36%), lion (36%), cheetah (35%) and giraffe (34%) were the most popular in these visitor surveys with similar results reported in data from destination marketing and social media, but not wildlife auctions. When 13 species traits were assessed using ordinations and Generalised Linear Models, traits associated with specific aesthetics were important as large mammals that use open vegetation, with highly contrasting coat colours and/or are fluffy were most popular. Given the diversity of animals in South Africa, those responsible for wildlife tourism opportunities could diversify the types of species used in marketing to better match animals likely to be encountered in the wild, enhancing repeat visitor experiences while promoting the conservation of more species in the region.
{"title":"Why are some animals popular with wildlife tourists: insights from South Africa","authors":"J. R. Mangachena, C. Pickering","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.2019261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.2019261","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Wildlife tourism is an important type of ecotourism including in South Africa. We considered how the aesthetic value theory can be applied to wildlife tourism by assessing the relative popularity of species with tourists in South Africa and which traits predicted popularity. When data from six published visitor surveys across seven protected areas were combined, we found that only 26 species out of 299 mammals and 850 + birds were selected by 2245 tourists. Elephant (48%), black and white rhinos (36%), lion (36%), cheetah (35%) and giraffe (34%) were the most popular in these visitor surveys with similar results reported in data from destination marketing and social media, but not wildlife auctions. When 13 species traits were assessed using ordinations and Generalised Linear Models, traits associated with specific aesthetics were important as large mammals that use open vegetation, with highly contrasting coat colours and/or are fluffy were most popular. Given the diversity of animals in South Africa, those responsible for wildlife tourism opportunities could diversify the types of species used in marketing to better match animals likely to be encountered in the wild, enhancing repeat visitor experiences while promoting the conservation of more species in the region.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44712925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-26DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.2016776
Hilde Nikoline Hambro Dybsand, S. Stensland, Ø. Aas
ABSTRACT Research on motivation among birdwatchers and the relationships between motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty may provide further insight into this subgroup of wildlife tourism participants. Research on other forms of wildlife tourism suggest that motivation can be a useful segmentation tool and have effects on participants’ overall experiences, satisfaction and loyalty. Using a survey (n =248) of visitors to Hornøya in Norway, we investigated motivation’s potential as a segmentation tool in this setting, and motivation’s influence on birdwatcher satisfaction and destination loyalty, applying cluster-, factor-, and multiple regression analyses. Three distinct groups of birdwatchers were identified, and results indicated that although the main motivations to visit were to experience birds and nature, the importance of other motivational factors varied between clusters. Moreover, significant positive relationships were found between the motivational factor of experience birds and overall satisfaction and between the motivational factor of experience nature and destination loyalty. We conclude that facilitating and promoting such experiences should be a priority for managers of birdwatching sites, and that there are some variations when it comes to motivation, even among relatively specialized birdwatchers.
{"title":"The influence of motivation on birdwatcher satisfaction and destination loyalty: the case of Hornøya, Norway","authors":"Hilde Nikoline Hambro Dybsand, S. Stensland, Ø. Aas","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.2016776","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.2016776","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Research on motivation among birdwatchers and the relationships between motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty may provide further insight into this subgroup of wildlife tourism participants. Research on other forms of wildlife tourism suggest that motivation can be a useful segmentation tool and have effects on participants’ overall experiences, satisfaction and loyalty. Using a survey (n =248) of visitors to Hornøya in Norway, we investigated motivation’s potential as a segmentation tool in this setting, and motivation’s influence on birdwatcher satisfaction and destination loyalty, applying cluster-, factor-, and multiple regression analyses. Three distinct groups of birdwatchers were identified, and results indicated that although the main motivations to visit were to experience birds and nature, the importance of other motivational factors varied between clusters. Moreover, significant positive relationships were found between the motivational factor of experience birds and overall satisfaction and between the motivational factor of experience nature and destination loyalty. We conclude that facilitating and promoting such experiences should be a priority for managers of birdwatching sites, and that there are some variations when it comes to motivation, even among relatively specialized birdwatchers.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46008279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-22DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.2003370
Jessica L. Williams, A. Behie, Pengfei Fan
ABSTRACT Biodiversity is declining in part due to destructive and unsustainable human activity. Nature-based tourism, informed by scientific data, has the potential to replace some income generated by unsustainable practices. We observed two groups of Hoolock tianxing gibbons – one exposed to tourists and the other to small research teams – at Gaoligong National Nature Reserve, China. We found that H. tianxing gibbons spent significantly more time scanning and less time resting in the presence of tourists, and that these effects were amplified by the number of tourists. We did not find a difference in overall daily activity budgets of individuals exposed to tourism compared to individuals exposed to research teams, suggesting that behavioural changes are currently restricted to periods when tourists are present. Gibbon-focused tourism programs have the potential to contribute to conservation efforts and our study demonstrates that programs informed by scientific research can be an ethical and sustainable conservation tool.
{"title":"Gibbon focused tourism as a conservation tool: the behavioural response of Skywalker hoolock gibbons (Hoolock tianxing) to tourists","authors":"Jessica L. Williams, A. Behie, Pengfei Fan","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.2003370","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.2003370","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT\u0000 Biodiversity is declining in part due to destructive and unsustainable human activity. Nature-based tourism, informed by scientific data, has the potential to replace some income generated by unsustainable practices. We observed two groups of Hoolock tianxing gibbons – one exposed to tourists and the other to small research teams – at Gaoligong National Nature Reserve, China. We found that H. tianxing gibbons spent significantly more time scanning and less time resting in the presence of tourists, and that these effects were amplified by the number of tourists. We did not find a difference in overall daily activity budgets of individuals exposed to tourism compared to individuals exposed to research teams, suggesting that behavioural changes are currently restricted to periods when tourists are present. Gibbon-focused tourism programs have the potential to contribute to conservation efforts and our study demonstrates that programs informed by scientific research can be an ethical and sustainable conservation tool.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42048723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-22DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.2004153
Goda Lukoseviciute, L. N. Pereira, T. Panagopoulos
{"title":"Sustainable recreational trail design from the recreational opportunity spectrum and trail user perception: a case study of the Seven Hanging Valleys","authors":"Goda Lukoseviciute, L. N. Pereira, T. Panagopoulos","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.2004153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.2004153","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43736590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-24DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1991934
Z. Ghaderi, M. Esfehani, D. Fennell, Elham Shahabi
ABSTRACT Past research linking tourism and reciprocal altruism (RA), although meagre, has typically focused on relationships between hosts and guests. To broaden the application of RA in tourism, the current study focuses specifically on a local community and their participation in conserving national park assets. Face-to-face interviews with 39 local stakeholders were conducted in Iran to investigate how locals' altruistic behaviours contribute to the conservation of Touran National Park. The results demonstrate that while altruism motives such as satisfying a moral obligation to support the environment, protecting wildlife, and doing something positive for the community were cited as the main reason for conservation cooperation for NGOs and environmentalists, self-interest was the main reason for conservation cooperation motives amongst tourism business operators in conserving the park. This study also showed that locals' altruistic behaviour is an important and influential factor in protecting valuable natural resources.
{"title":"Community participation towards conservation of Touran National Park (TNP): an application of reciprocal altruism theory","authors":"Z. Ghaderi, M. Esfehani, D. Fennell, Elham Shahabi","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1991934","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1991934","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Past research linking tourism and reciprocal altruism (RA), although meagre, has typically focused on relationships between hosts and guests. To broaden the application of RA in tourism, the current study focuses specifically on a local community and their participation in conserving national park assets. Face-to-face interviews with 39 local stakeholders were conducted in Iran to investigate how locals' altruistic behaviours contribute to the conservation of Touran National Park. The results demonstrate that while altruism motives such as satisfying a moral obligation to support the environment, protecting wildlife, and doing something positive for the community were cited as the main reason for conservation cooperation for NGOs and environmentalists, self-interest was the main reason for conservation cooperation motives amongst tourism business operators in conserving the park. This study also showed that locals' altruistic behaviour is an important and influential factor in protecting valuable natural resources.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41751672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-12DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1971684
J. Drew, Kenickie Andrews, Ness Smith
ABSTRACT Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) tourism is increasingly popular wherever the species occur, including a fledgling industry on the South Atlantic island of St. Helena. We interviewed 154 people to elicit the social and economic value of whale shark tourism on the island. Additionally, 77 survey participants were queried about their willingness to pay, 32% of those responding indicated that they would be willing to pay at least £10 more, a 20% increase from existing charges. Tourists also supported the concept that the local population should pay less for whale shark snorkel tours. Perceptions among visitors and locals were that the marine environment was well managed on St. Helena and that protecting it was important. Results from this study could help inform St. Helena Government policy and support MWT operators on the island to further develop a sustainable and equitable whale shark tourism industry.
{"title":"The potential for expansion of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) tourism in St. Helena: stakeholder engagement and willingness to pay","authors":"J. Drew, Kenickie Andrews, Ness Smith","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1971684","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1971684","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT\u0000 Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) tourism is increasingly popular wherever the species occur, including a fledgling industry on the South Atlantic island of St. Helena. We interviewed 154 people to elicit the social and economic value of whale shark tourism on the island. Additionally, 77 survey participants were queried about their willingness to pay, 32% of those responding indicated that they would be willing to pay at least £10 more, a 20% increase from existing charges. Tourists also supported the concept that the local population should pay less for whale shark snorkel tours. Perceptions among visitors and locals were that the marine environment was well managed on St. Helena and that protecting it was important. Results from this study could help inform St. Helena Government policy and support MWT operators on the island to further develop a sustainable and equitable whale shark tourism industry.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48604293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-05DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1971239
R. Dowling
Wildlife tourism has been the subject of a number of books over the past 25 years. They include contributions by Shackley (1996), Newsome et al. (2005) and Green (2013). This book is very different and its author describes his vision for it in the Preface. He says it stems from some original research in Barro Colorado Island, Panama, which investigated aspects of wildlife observation amongst tourists visiting tropical forests, as well as other kinds of ecosystems. He notes that this is the topic of this book with a second to engage in a genealogical inquiry, which is to say a ‘history of the present’ of wildlife observation amongst tourists on the Island. Both aspects of the investigation involve ‘geosemeiotics of wildlife observation – a transdisciplinary inquiry that articulates geographic, semeiotic, ecological and socio-anthropological perspectives on wildlife observation’. Elliot’s research on visitors observing wildlife in the forests uncovered some interesting findings. A key one was that many of the visitors expected to not only find a forest that was teeming with ‘charismatic’ fauna, that is, the larger mammals, reptiles and snakes, but also to have close encounters with them. With the numerous nature programs on television and streaming services on offer, it is understandable that the viewing public assumes that the encounters being shown upclose on their screens is what they will enjoy whilst wildlife watching. Yet many programs may film wildlife in the wild for up to one year for a single one-hour documentary program. This then heightens the expectations of the wildlife tourist and often leaves them disappointed when their viewing and/or encounter experience does not match what they saw on the screen at home. The book takes the reader on a journey through 14 chapters in 4 parts. The first part covers Perceptions of Wildlife from a range of ‘Positivist Perspectives’. Chapters are included on The Rules of Positivism; Sociobiology and Biophilia; The Computation of Vision; and Ecological Psychology and Direct Perception. Overall the author notes that there are different techniques of observation and for some, it is both a collaborative and instituted process. The second part of the book outlines Signs of Wildlife Observation from ‘SemeioticPhenomenological Perspectives’ Chapters are included on Peircian Pragmatism; Semeiotic Logic and Phenomenology; and Types and Classes of Signs. From a Peircian perspective, wildlife observation is all about the detection and the interpretation of signs. But wildlife observation is more than that and Elliott suggests that it also includes a dynamic mode, which includes a reaction to the viewing as well as a ‘mediate’mode which are signs that there is something to observe and therefore the observed wildlife actually exists. The third part describes Assemblages of Wildlife Observation from ‘Sociological-Philosophical Perspectives’. Chapters describe Cultural Practice; Body, Biopower and Situation; and Mode
{"title":"Observing wildlife in tropical forests: 1 a geosemeiotic approach","authors":"R. Dowling","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1971239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1971239","url":null,"abstract":"Wildlife tourism has been the subject of a number of books over the past 25 years. They include contributions by Shackley (1996), Newsome et al. (2005) and Green (2013). This book is very different and its author describes his vision for it in the Preface. He says it stems from some original research in Barro Colorado Island, Panama, which investigated aspects of wildlife observation amongst tourists visiting tropical forests, as well as other kinds of ecosystems. He notes that this is the topic of this book with a second to engage in a genealogical inquiry, which is to say a ‘history of the present’ of wildlife observation amongst tourists on the Island. Both aspects of the investigation involve ‘geosemeiotics of wildlife observation – a transdisciplinary inquiry that articulates geographic, semeiotic, ecological and socio-anthropological perspectives on wildlife observation’. Elliot’s research on visitors observing wildlife in the forests uncovered some interesting findings. A key one was that many of the visitors expected to not only find a forest that was teeming with ‘charismatic’ fauna, that is, the larger mammals, reptiles and snakes, but also to have close encounters with them. With the numerous nature programs on television and streaming services on offer, it is understandable that the viewing public assumes that the encounters being shown upclose on their screens is what they will enjoy whilst wildlife watching. Yet many programs may film wildlife in the wild for up to one year for a single one-hour documentary program. This then heightens the expectations of the wildlife tourist and often leaves them disappointed when their viewing and/or encounter experience does not match what they saw on the screen at home. The book takes the reader on a journey through 14 chapters in 4 parts. The first part covers Perceptions of Wildlife from a range of ‘Positivist Perspectives’. Chapters are included on The Rules of Positivism; Sociobiology and Biophilia; The Computation of Vision; and Ecological Psychology and Direct Perception. Overall the author notes that there are different techniques of observation and for some, it is both a collaborative and instituted process. The second part of the book outlines Signs of Wildlife Observation from ‘SemeioticPhenomenological Perspectives’ Chapters are included on Peircian Pragmatism; Semeiotic Logic and Phenomenology; and Types and Classes of Signs. From a Peircian perspective, wildlife observation is all about the detection and the interpretation of signs. But wildlife observation is more than that and Elliott suggests that it also includes a dynamic mode, which includes a reaction to the viewing as well as a ‘mediate’mode which are signs that there is something to observe and therefore the observed wildlife actually exists. The third part describes Assemblages of Wildlife Observation from ‘Sociological-Philosophical Perspectives’. Chapters describe Cultural Practice; Body, Biopower and Situation; and Mode","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49356429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-29DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1971240
A. Coghlan
ABSTRACT The study of pro-environmental tourist behaviours (PEB) frequently relies on self-reported measures of intentions and/or attitudes. Issues with these approaches are reviewed and compared with quasi-experimental field studies that measure actual behaviour and are higher in external validity. The research note argues for an expansion of these studies’ contexts, the interventions used in experimental conditions and types of PEB measured as outcome variables. By way of example, a small between-subject quasi-experiment is presented, using an innovative virtual reality game developed by the author to encourage tourists’ connection with Australia's Great Barrier Reef.Passengers were presented with the game and a control condition (a VR video) on alternate days. The recorded behaviour was their selection of a thank you gift from the options, including one target PEB (conservation donations). The aim of this research note is prompt greater consideration of how we might measure actual PEBs in (eco)tourism studies.
{"title":"Can ecotourism interpretation influence reef protective behaviours? Findings from a quasi-experimental field study involving a virtual reality game","authors":"A. Coghlan","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1971240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1971240","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The study of pro-environmental tourist behaviours (PEB) frequently relies on self-reported measures of intentions and/or attitudes. Issues with these approaches are reviewed and compared with quasi-experimental field studies that measure actual behaviour and are higher in external validity. The research note argues for an expansion of these studies’ contexts, the interventions used in experimental conditions and types of PEB measured as outcome variables. By way of example, a small between-subject quasi-experiment is presented, using an innovative virtual reality game developed by the author to encourage tourists’ connection with Australia's Great Barrier Reef.Passengers were presented with the game and a control condition (a VR video) on alternate days. The recorded behaviour was their selection of a thank you gift from the options, including one target PEB (conservation donations). The aim of this research note is prompt greater consideration of how we might measure actual PEBs in (eco)tourism studies.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47130319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-25DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1968879
Bashar Maaiah, Mohammad Al-Badarneh, Abdalla Al-Shorman
ABSTRACT In the past few years, the demand for nature-based tourism (NBT) has increased significantly nationally and internationally. However, promoting NBT, especially at the local level, needs more attention. This study seeks to produce a map of NBT tourist attractions in Jordan that considers distance and cost. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP), geographic information system (GIS), and remote sensing were used. The use of the AHP model was based on a multi-criteria assessment of attractiveness, including landscape, accessibility, infrastructure, and facilities. For this procedure, 150 travel agency personnel were interviewed. The study results showed that desert attractions followed by forests and nature reserves had the highest priority in the AHP model, while the lowest priorities were recorded for water attraction. Based on this, managerial and theoretical implications are proposed.
{"title":"Mapping potential nature based tourism in Jordan using AHP, GIS and remote sensing","authors":"Bashar Maaiah, Mohammad Al-Badarneh, Abdalla Al-Shorman","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1968879","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1968879","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In the past few years, the demand for nature-based tourism (NBT) has increased significantly nationally and internationally. However, promoting NBT, especially at the local level, needs more attention. This study seeks to produce a map of NBT tourist attractions in Jordan that considers distance and cost. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP), geographic information system (GIS), and remote sensing were used. The use of the AHP model was based on a multi-criteria assessment of attractiveness, including landscape, accessibility, infrastructure, and facilities. For this procedure, 150 travel agency personnel were interviewed. The study results showed that desert attractions followed by forests and nature reserves had the highest priority in the AHP model, while the lowest priorities were recorded for water attraction. Based on this, managerial and theoretical implications are proposed.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41936746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-14DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2021.1965151
Kadir Çakar, Faruk Seyitoğlu
ABSTRACT The present study investigates the motivations and experiences of tourists visiting Hasankeyf – a historic district in the Batman province, situated in the southeast region of Turkey – as a last chance tourism (LCT) destination that has recently been submerged with the entry into operation of Ilısu Dam. A mixed-methods approach is employed for the study, in which quantitative data was collected via a survey filled out by visitors (n = 429) to the Hasankeyf heritage site, while qualitative data was obtained from the online reviews left by visitors (n = 78). The findings reveal that motivations to visit the site relate mostly to the ‘heritage’ and ‘last chance’ dimensions of the site. The study results reveal further that the motivation and the perception of authenticity are key indicators of a memorable tourism experience. Further implications are offered, along with recommendations for future research.
{"title":"Motivations and experiences of tourists visiting Hasankeyf as a last chance tourism destination","authors":"Kadir Çakar, Faruk Seyitoğlu","doi":"10.1080/14724049.2021.1965151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2021.1965151","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The present study investigates the motivations and experiences of tourists visiting Hasankeyf – a historic district in the Batman province, situated in the southeast region of Turkey – as a last chance tourism (LCT) destination that has recently been submerged with the entry into operation of Ilısu Dam. A mixed-methods approach is employed for the study, in which quantitative data was collected via a survey filled out by visitors (n = 429) to the Hasankeyf heritage site, while qualitative data was obtained from the online reviews left by visitors (n = 78). The findings reveal that motivations to visit the site relate mostly to the ‘heritage’ and ‘last chance’ dimensions of the site. The study results reveal further that the motivation and the perception of authenticity are key indicators of a memorable tourism experience. Further implications are offered, along with recommendations for future research.","PeriodicalId":39714,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecotourism","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48256697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}