Community Knowledge and Support of Ecotourism in the World Heritages Sites of Simien Mountain National Park

A significant portion of the local community in Simien Mountain National Park lacks knowledge about ecotourism despite understanding broader tourism concepts. While 93.5% of respondents had a fair grasp of tourism, over half (57.2%) were unaware of what constitutes a tourist. The study identified three key factors influencing support for ecotourism: perceived benefits (β = 0.24, p = 0.001), gender (β = 0.47, p < 0.001), and family size (β = 0.12, p = 0.005). These findings highlight the nuanced relationship between community awareness and support for sustainable tourism development in protected areas. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with statistical analysis to assess knowledge and support levels among 397 respondents across three districts.

Tewodros, A., Endalkachew, T., & Gashaw, M. (2023). Community Knowledge and Support of Ecotourism in the World Heritages Sites of Simien Mountain National Park. Global Business Finance Review, 28(4), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.17549/gbfr.2023.28.4.62