Although considered distinct, ecotourists have been compared rarely wi
th 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 su
pport for conservation, sociodemographic characteristics, and recreati
on substitutability for nature trek activities. Based on a questionnai
re 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 countrie
s. They were older and more educated than other tourist types. Substit
utability did not differ among different types. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie
nce Ltd. All rights reserved.