Host Community Residents' Attitudes: A Comparison of Environmental Viewpoints

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between host community residents' attitudes about the environment and the benefits and costs of various types of tourism development. Factor cluster analysis based on participant scores on the new environmental paradigm scale revealed that the residents comprised three groups: Conservationists; Anthropocentrics; and Optimists. The Conservationists supported the development of ecotourism but were less supportive of and saw fewer benefits from the development of other forms of tourism than the other two groups. This group appears to be most concerned about the amount of abuse nature can withstand. Implications for tourism planners and developers are discussed.