1999 Volume 4 Issue 2 Pages 93-101
A questionnaire survey was distributed to randomly selected tourists who visited Oze, Nikko National Park, during 13-15 July 1998. In total 391 responses were obtained. Tourists were asked questions to determine their attitude towards nature conservation, and their knowledge of nature, including the forests, flowers, mammals, birds, and insects. Even respondents who viewed controlling the number of tourists and charging an entrance fee to Oze positively, were in favor of the baths that are currently available to overnight guests which cause environmental pollution problems. In addition, most respondents had a poor knowledge of nature. If future tourists to Oze continue to hold such views and have little knowledge of nature, the characteristics which have made Oze a special protected area under the national park system may be degraded. Much stronger environmental education for the general public is essential and ecotourism should be considered as a new conservation tool to be introduced in Oze in order to promote the sustainable use of the environment.
