Ecotourism marketing alternative to charismatic megafauna can also support biodiversity conservation

Abstract

Charismatic species are the main attractor of ecotourists to protected areas, but this narrow interest leads to under-appreciation of other biodiversity as well as cultural values of protected areas. Many protected areas with high conservation value, but little funding, lack charismatic species. Exploring tourists' preferences alternative to charismatic species may help identify ecotourism markets that are more likely to support such areas. We used a choice experiment and latent class model to explore tourists' heterogeneous preference for biodiversity and biodiversity-related activities in South African national parks. We found that tourists' preferences were not restricted to charismatic species, but extended to less charismatic biodiversity, as well as to landscapes. In addition, biodiversity-related activities, such as camping and game drives, the sense of wilderness attached to the place tourists were visiting and accessibility of protected areas, also affected tourists' preferences. Particularly, domestic tourists, as well as more experienced international tourists, were more likely to support initiatives that promote a broader biodiversity experience than charismatic species alone, and were prepared to travel longer distances to do so. Our results reveal new opportunities to promote and support biodiversity conservation at sites where only less charismatic biodiversity is present. In addition, our results may help inform land-use planning based on public preferences for biodiversity conservation, incorporating sense of place.

Using a choice experiment and birder preferences to guide bird‐conservation funding

“…; Hausmann et al. ) in that they show a significant proportion of birders hold substantial WTP for access to sites that can offer their desired birding experience. This provides a more detailed validation of a recent assessment of public support for investing in threatened bird conservation in Australia (Zander et al.…”

“…Commonly used nonmarket valuation methods, including CEs (a stated‐preference approach), can capture both use and nonuse values (Hausmann et al. ). Choice experiments have been used to study respondent preferences for conservation, environmental management, and nature‐based recreation issues, including selection of nature‐based tourism destinations (Naidoo & Adamowicz ; Di Minin et al.…”

Social Media Data Can Be Used to Understand Tourists’ Preferences for Nature‐Based Experiences in Protected Areas

“…), but it also attracts tourists interested in less‐charismatic biodiversity, biodiversity‐related activities, and sense of place experiences (Hausmann et al . ). Mobile phone coverage in the park is better around the main tourists’ camps (http://www.krugerpark.co.za/knp-cell-coverage-map.html).…”

“…The sample of national and international tourists interviewed was representative of the tourists entering KNP according to official visitation statistics. (For more information, see Hausmann et al 2017).…”

Comparing biodiversity valuation approaches for the sustainable management of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

“…biological control). Similarly, charismatic megafauna (Hausmann et al, 2017;Huveneers et al, 2017), endangered species (Richardson and Loomis, 2009) and habitats (Hatton MacDonald and Morrison, 2010) can be used to approximate cultural services (e.g. tourism).…”