Motivational Factors and Financial Support for Entering Sustainable Ecological Destinations as Impulses for Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Protection: A Case Study on the Example of National Parks

Abstract

The study offers significant findings that illuminate the main motivational factors for tourists to visit sustainable ecological destinations, specifically national parks. The research deals with the issue of sustainable tourism and its connection with environmental factors and the preferences of tourists. The aim of the study is to identify motivational elements encouraging entry into sustainable ecological destinations and participation in sustainable tourism with an accent on environmental protection. The research methodology includes data collection through the author's questionnaire. Based on the data from the author's questionnaire, the four most important motivation factors of the respondents can be identified: the beauty of the landscape, avoiding stress, escaping from crowds and interest in local culture and gastronomy. These results clearly show that tourists interested in sustainable tourism with an emphasis on the ecological pillar are motivated by the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature, local culture, and cuisine, as well as escape from the stress and crowds of traditional tourist destinations. The finding that tourists are willing to pay the entrance fee to national parks under certain conditions (for example, the use of funds for environmental protection, etc.) has important implications for the management policy of national parks.