Attribution, Substitution and Confusion in Wildlife and Natural Area Tourism Expenditure Research

Abstract

This research note addresses the current confusion of terminology and practice amongst studies of the expenditure of tourists to natural areas and wildlife attractions. We suggest that the term 'substitution' be used when estimating tourists' intention to substitute another destination for the study region, should the natural resource cease to exist in the study region. We also discuss the use of the term 'attribution' and how the concept of 'attributable expenditure' has been applied in natural area and wildlife tourism expenditure research