ECOTOURISM VERSUS TOURISM IN A THAI NATIONAL-PARK

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.