Survey Design: Andrew Drumm -- Director, Ecotourism Data Analysis and Presentation of Survey Results: Elena Pappas September 2000 RESULTS OF THE ECOTOURISM PROGRAM’S CONSERVANCY MEMBERS ECOTRAVELLER SURVEY

About the Conservancy Members Ecotraveller Survey... n The Ecotourism Program designed this survey as part of a larger Ecotourism Market Reconnaissance and Product Development Project that focused on partner sites in Belize, Panama and Costa Rica. This project was comprised of two components: The Conservancy Members Ecotraveller Survey. The survey targeted the Conservancy’s membership with the aim of gathering information on their travel preferences. Product Development Workshop Trips. The Conservancy’s Ecotourism Program selected 16 survey respondents to participate in two five-to-six day ecotourism adventures at a discounted price in exchange for evaluating, and providing feedback, to fledgling ecotourism programs in Belize, Panama and Costa Rica. The feedback obtained through the evaluation was used to help direct the development of these programs. n A total of 200 Conservancy members participated in the Conservancy Members Ecotraveller Survey. The results of the survey are presented here.

DEMOGRPAHIC CHARACTERISTIC OF RESPONDENTS CONSERVANCY MEMBERS ECOTRAVELLER SURVEY

GENDER OF RESPONDENTS

BREAKDOWN OF RESPONDENTS BY AGE GROUPS

FAMILY’S AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME Average income = $45,362 Minimum income = $15,000 Maximum income = $250,000

TRAVEL TRENDS CONSERVANCY MEMBERS ECOTRAVELLER SURVEY

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS THAT HAD TRAVELED TO EITHER LATIN AMERICA OR THE CARIBBEAN

COUNTRIES VISITED:NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS:  COSTA RICA70  MEXICO69  BELIZE41  ECUADOR26  PERU23  GUATEMALA23  HONDURAS21  BRAZIL16  CHILE12  ARGENTINA12 TOP 10 COUNTRIES VISITED IN LATIN AMERICA OR THE CARIBBEAN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

ATTRIBUTES CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION OF EITHER A DESTINATION OR TOUR Rating Scale NOTE: When asked what other attributes they considered important, many respondents noted “opportunities to interact with indigenous people” and “ a sense of making a contribution.”

AVERAGE DURATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRIPS TAKEN BE RESPONDENTS Duration of Trip Number of Respondents

TOP 10 PROTECTED AREAS VISITED IN LATIN AMERICA OR THE CARIBBEAN

TOTAL DOLLARS SPENT ON LAST VACATION (Excluding Airfare)

PREFERRED ACCOMMODATIONS ON AN ECOTOUR Rustic = shared bath and sleeping facilities, no electricity Simple = double rooms, electricity, made beds Comfortable = private bath, hot water Luxurious = a/c, TV

TRAVEL PLANNING INFORMATION CONSERVANCY MEMBERS ECOTRAVELLER SURVEY

PREFERENCES FOR MAKING VACATION RESERVATIONS

WHO DO RESPONDENTS TRAVEL WITH ON VACATION