FOOTPRINTS IN NATURE: ANALYZING TOURISM MOBILITY IN LOW URBAN DENSITY ECOTOURISM CITIES – A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Ecotourism, a form of sustainable tourism centered around nature, emphasizes the conservation of natural environments and the education of visitors about ecological preservation. While traditional ecotourism takes place in relatively untouched and unpolluted natural areas, urban ecotourism thrives in settings that bear the marks of prior human activities. This paper delves into the challenges faced by ecotourism cities, where the surge in tourism and the demand for urban mobility have led to issues such as congestion, pollution, and traffic woes.

The growth in ecotourism cities necessitates the development of transport and infrastructure, including new travel modes and improved services. Transport becomes a vital component of the overall tourist experience, directly impacting visitor satisfaction with the destination. Understanding tourist mobility is crucial for both management and marketing in these settings. However, a significant gap exists in our understanding of tourist mobility in rural areas and low-density ecotourism cities.

To enhance the tourist experience and cater to their needs, it is imperative to establish an efficient and responsive transport system. This demands a thorough comprehension of tourists' attitudes and perceptions toward mobility during their journeys. Transport services should be tailored to meet the demands of the visitors. To date, research on tourist mobility has primarily focused on urban environments, leaving ecotourism cities with sparse attention. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining tourists' perceptions of various transport modes, including cars, public transport, and tourist coaches, in an ecotourism city with low urban density.

The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. The subsequent section provides an overview of the existing research on ecotourism and tourist mobility. The methodology section outlines the research approach, including the study area and variables. Following this, we present the results and engage in a comprehensive discussion. The paper concludes with a summary of key findings and implications for the management of transport in ecotourism cities.