Ecotourism versus tourism in a Thai national park

Abstract

Although considered distinct, ecotourists have been compared rarely with other tourist types at the same site and time. Moreover, ecotourism definitions imply support for conservation. This study differentiates ecotourists from other tourist types, and compares their financial support for conservation, sociodemographic characteristics, and recreation substitutability for nature trek activities. Based on a questionnaire survey of 857 respondents at Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, five main tourist types were identified. Ecotourists contributed more to conservation than other types, but primarily in their home countries. They were older and more educated than other tourist types. Substitutability did not differ among different types.