An Attribute-Based Approach to Classifying Community-Based Tourism Networks

This conceptual paper proposes the adoption of a collaborative network approach as a prospective means of improving success in implementing community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives. Drawing upon relevant literature, the researchers identify the key attributes that characterise a network-based approach. By proposing alternatives for each attribute, the research provides CBT practitioners with options for making informed decisions about how to build collaboration connecting individual CBT initiatives in multiple locations. The researchers discuss the implications of different approaches for power relations between stakeholders. The proposed framework provides a means of classifying existing CBT networks and analyses the types of network and the circumstances which lead to better outcomes for community development. Further empirical research is required to test the validity of the key network attributes and to develop a comprehensive classification system of CBT networks.School of Hotel and Tourism Managemen

Exploring the usefulness of an ecotourism interest scale

The majority of previous studies on ecotourism have used a behavioral approach to the identification of ecotourists. While these studies provide a number of useful ecotourist profiles, they do not provide a general scale useful in identifying ecotourists across a wide array of contexts. Therefore, this exploratory study develops an Ecotourism Interest scale and tests the value of the scale in predicting travelers' participation in selected tourist activities. Logistic regression models are used to test hypotheses regarding the influence of Ecotourism Interest on choice of vacation activity. Empirical results show that the Ecotourism Interest scale is useful in identifying if tourists will select eco-friendly activities (e.g., walking in the bush, tramping, and whale watching). Also, different additional factors such as age, travel party, and travel mode were found to influence tourists' decisions to participate in any one particular activity