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Abstract
This paper examines the attitudes of tourists towards a conceptual planning approach, which combines elements of ecotourism with themed and simulated attractions for sustainable tourism development in desert areas. Based on a survey of 453 tourists, the study examines respondents' preferences regarding the suggested contents and facilities of tourist attractions to be developed in the Israeli desert area of the Negev. The findings indicate that the respondents do not necessarily see contradictions between the seemingly irreconcilable ecotourism elements and themed simulations. They expressed clear preference for the development of sites with appropriate infrastructure and themed simulations that preserve local nature and culture. The findings are discussed within the frameworks of ecotourism, post-modern tourism, and tourism development in desert areas.
Notes
a The highest factor each theme was loaded was included.
b The total variance explained by factor 1 is 41.759%.
c The total variance explained by factor 2 is 12.725%.
a The highest factor each feature was loaded was included.
b The total variance explained by factor 1 is 37.409%.
c The total variance explained by factor 2 is 9.425%.
1. The idea of the space travel theme derived from the experts' focus group. It is based on the open and clear night skies common in the desert, which give excellent opportunities to observe stars, satellites and other phenomena in space.