With support from the Environmental Ventures Projects (EVP) Program of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment
This research examined nature-based tourism as an opportunity to facilitate environmental behavior. It built on scholarship in visitor studies and behavioral science to develop targeted post-trip follow-up that leveraged visitors´ pre-trip motivations and post-trip spike in interest in environment and stewardship. The work included a pilot study at Año Nuevo State Park (CA) and a full study at Galapagos Islands National Park in Ecuador.
Papers related to this project include the following:
Wheaton, M., Ardoin, N.M., Schuh, J., Hunt, C.A., Kresse, M., Menke, C., and Durham, W. 2016. Using Web and Mobile Technology to Motivate Pro-Environmental Action after a Nature-Based Tourism Experience. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1081600. Download.
Ardoin, N.M., Wheaton, M., Bowers, A.W., Hunt, C.A., and Durham, W. 2015. Nature-Based Tourism’s Impact on Environmental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior: A review and analysis of the literature and potential future research. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. doi. org / 10.1080/09669582.2015.1024258. Download pdf.
Ardoin, N.M., Wheaton, M., Hunt, C., Schuh, J., and Durham, W. 2016. Post-trip philanthropic intentions of nature-based tourists in Galapagos. Journal of Ecotourism. doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2016.1142555.