Visitors’ Attitudes Toward the Expansion of Alternative Shuttle Bus System in Shiretoko National Park

A majority of visitors to Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site renowned for its brown bear habitat, support the expansion of shuttle bus services as an alternative to private vehicles. A questionnaire survey revealed that features such as guided tours and optional experiences significantly encouraged visitors to switch to shuttle buses, despite low awareness of the pilot program. However, some visitors still preferred their cars, highlighting the need for improved promotion. The study used a choice experiment to assess visitor preferences, offering insights into balancing visitor convenience with conservation goals in protected areas.

Aikoh, T., Yahiro, S., Shoji, Y., & Kim, H. (2024). Visitors’ Attitudes Toward the Expansion of Alternative Shuttle Bus System in Shiretoko National Park. Journal of Disaster Research, 19(2), 359–369. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0359