Accessibility and Tourist Behavior in Protected Areas: A Case of Tourist Typology in Indonesia
摘要
The role of accessibility toward tourists’ behavior in protected areas remains debatable among tourism scholars. Some scholars believe that the type of access can filter different tourist types. However, much of the issue’s potential remains unexplored, as no previous investigations have examined the relationship between ease of access, tourist typology, and its role toward tourist behavior in conservation areas. To address this gap, a study based on the following rationale was conducted: “The easiness of tourism access affects tourists’ hedonistic motivation and preferences as a basic motive to engage in irresponsible actions. Thus, it was postulated that conservation areas are prone to encounter irresponsible tourist’ behavior.” This study first formulated the concept of tourism accessibility in conservation areas. Secondly, the influence of accessibility on hedonistic motivations and preferences was explained. Lastly, the case of a new tourist typology in two national parks in Indonesia illustrated how this new typology will be formed. Furthermore, the discovery of a typology of irresponsible tourists in protected areas demonstrates the importance of organizing educational programs for tourists when they are in a destination. Such programs can serve as a means of preventing and monitoring tourist activity.