Evaluating Nature-based Tourism Using the New Environmental Paradigm

Nature-based tourism (NBT), alternatively known as ecotourism, is a rapidly expanding area in the tourism travel sector. States such as Louisiana with a well established urban-based tourism industry may have expansion opportunities through development of complementary nature-based tourism. This study analyzes the decision to participate in nature-based tourism and identifies factors, including attitudinal, that influence the decision to participate in NBT among Louisiana tourists. Key Words: Nature Tourism, Ecotourism, NEP Nature-based tourism, also known as ecotourism or nature tourism, is defined as “tourism that consists of traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestation found in thes