Characteristics of Iona National Park’s visitors: Planning for ecotourism and sustainable development in Angola

Abstract

To assess the characteristics of Iona National Park’s visitors, we analyzed secondary data and conducted a survey by administering face-to-face interviews. We used information referring to a total of 354 visitors to assess tourists’ personal characteristics (bio-data), their motivation for visiting, and their level of satisfaction. The majority of the visitors (60%) revealed a prevailing interest in natural and cultural attractions, and they predominantly fit a “wildlife tourist” profile. Within this profile, two possible different types of clientele were identified: (1) tourists who consider the visit as a learning opportunity but tend to exhibit low environmental and social awareness; and (2) visitors who consider the visit as a learning opportunity but also as a process where sustainability norms should be maintained. Using the study findings, we propose guidelines for the development of ecotourism in Iona National Park to advance sustainable development.

Keywords:

• Namibe province
• nature-based tourism
• wildlife tourism
• tourism motivation
• tourism management

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The central goal of our research is to contribute practical information needed to foster sustainable development in the Namibe province, Angola, anchored in ecotourism. The field work was developed in Iona National Park where 354 face-to-face interviews were conducted to characterize the visitors’ profile. The majority of the visitors (60%) revealed a prevailing interest in natural and cultural attractions, and they predominantly fit a “wildlife tourist” profile. Within this profile, two possible different types of clientele were identified: (1) tourists who consider the visit as a learning opportunity but tend to exhibit low environmental and social awareness; and (2) visitors who consider the visit as a learning opportunity but also as a process where sustainability norms should be maintained. Using the study findings, we propose guidelines addressed to both tourism regulatory authorities and tour operators.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Rui Machado for his graphic assistance. We thank the Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM) for funding proofreading and editing services.

Additional information

Funding

Rui Alexandre Castanho was supported by the LIFE16NAT/PT/000754 Project [-];

Notes on contributors

Jorge Morais

Jorge Morais holds a Master degree in Earth Sciences and currently he is a PhD student in Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of Évora. His research interests are Ecotourism and Rural Development.

Rui Alexandre Castanho

Rui Alexandre Castanho holds a PhD degree in the field of Sustainable Urban Planning. He is interested in Social and Human Sciences and develops research concerning cross-border cooperation, territorial cohesion, and sustainable development.

Carlos Pinto-Gomes

Carlos Pinto Gomes is an Assistant Professor with Aggregation who teaches subjects in the field of Nature Conservation, such as Ecotourism. He has a particular interest in flora and vegetation and develops research concerning natural resources management and habitat conservation.

Pedro Santos

Pedro Santos is an Assistant Professor with Aggregation who teaches subjects in the field of Natural Resources Management, such as Ecotourism. He develops research concerning human-wildlife conflict aiming at the integration of human activities with the conservation of natural resources.