Nature Tourism and Its Development in Guatemala: Assessing Current Trends and Future Potential

A study on nature tourism at Tikal National Park, Guatemala, reveals that most tourists—primarily well-educated Americans around 30 years old with low incomes—are willing to pay approximately $20 for park entrance. The research found no significant increase in willingness-to-pay when tourists were informed that a portion of revenue would support park management, though many expressed interest in multi-day passes. This insight suggests that economic incentives tied to conservation may not always drive higher tourist contributions but highlights the potential for sustainable tourism models in developing countries.

Barry, Craig C. (1992). Nature Tourism and Its Development in Guatemala: Assessing Current Trends and Future Potential. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries. https://doi.org/10.17615/X20R-VC25