Wiley

International Journal of Forestry Research

Volume 2024, Article ID 4617793, 12 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4617793

Research Article
Local Community Attitude towards Forest-Based Ecotourism
Development in Arbegona and Nensebo Woredas,
Southern Ethiopia

Bruktawit Gezahegn,1 Zerihun Girma ,2 and Megersa Debele3

1
Department of Natural Resource Management, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia
2
Department of Wildlife and Protected Area Management, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia
3
Department of Ecotourism and Cultural Heritage Management, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia

Correspondence should be addressed to Zerihun Girma; [email protected]

Received 20 October 2023; Revised 24 April 2024; Accepted 7 May 2024; Published 29 May 2024

Academic Editor: Mustafa Zeybek

Copyright © 2024 Bruktawit Gezahegn et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Understanding local community awareness and attitude towards forest-based ecotourism welfare is an important input for
policymakers to develop and implement sustainable forest resource management strategies. However, the local community’s
awareness and attitude towards forest-based ecotourism development have been poorly assessed and documented in remote areas.
To this end, the present study assessed the local community’s awareness and attitude in Arbegona and Nensebo woredas’ forests,
southern Ethiopia, towards ecotourism development. Household and key informant interviews and focus group discussions were
used to collect data. Results indicated that more than half (57.9%) of the respondents expressed a negative attitude towards forest-
based ecotourism development. Te educational status of the respondents, their age, presence of conservation measures, source of
energy for household consumption, and biophysical and socio-cultural variations in the study sites are signifcantly associated
with local communities’ attitudes that have been exhibited towards the development of ecotourism and conservation of forest
resources. Creating awareness through persuasion and communication of new and well-suited information, promoting alternative
livelihood options, encouraging local benefts from the conservation of forest resources, and compensating costs induced by wild
animals can minimise negative attitudes, thereby contributing to the enhancement of local communities’ positive attitudes
towards forest resource conservation.

1. Introduction improves the livelihood of the local community living

around forests [4]. Te revenue obtained from forest-based
Tourism is one of the principal sectors of the world economy ecotourism can be used for sustainable biodiversity con-
for the reason that it is essential to improve the balance of servation, such as for the establishment and management of
payments as well as income creation and employment op- protected areas [1]. Tus, besides promoting environmental
portunities [1]. Ecotourism is one segment of the tourism sustainability and nature conservation, forest-based eco-
industry where travellers are responsible for natural areas, tourism is appreciated for its basic nature of generating
conserve the environment, and also improve the well-being benefts for local communities [5–7]. Successful forest-based
of local people by providing funds for conservation [2–5]. ecotourism development in rural areas can be translated to
Ecotourism is one of the important services provided by a less privileged rural community sending children to school,
forest resources. Forest-based ecotourism is responsible access to better nutrition, and healthcare facilities, as well as
travel to forest attraction sites that conserves the forest and the building of infrastructure for community interaction and
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
2 International Journal of Forestry Research

transportation [3, 8–10]. From an ethical point of view, the ecotourism development, have not yet been studied. Te two
participation of local communities in ecotourism and woredas are adjacent woredas with more or less similar
benefting from the revenues obtained is sound [10, 11]. For landscape and forest resources. Te districts are among the
the successful development of forest-based ecotourism, local remote, less accessible areas of Ethiopia, and such studies are
communities should actively participate in the early stages of very limited in this part of the world, and the global scientifc
the process [12] and support the development of community has very scant information about the natural
community-based ecotourism [12–14]. resources and their management in the region. Methodo-
Various scholars emphasised the importance of t local logically, most previous research elsewhere in the world
communities having a basic level of awareness of the possible mostly described ecotourism resources, without clear in-
benefts and impacts of ecotourism development to be vestigation of socioeconomic factors that determine com-
supportive [8, 15–18]. Tis is well explained by social ex- munity attitudes towards ecotourism development. Te
change theory, which states that the participation of the local present study attempted to investigate the socioeconomic
community is explained through the benefts gained, be determinants of local community attitudes towards
economic, socio-cultural, or environmental [19–21]. community-based ecotourism development through mul-
Terefore, for the success and sustainability of forest-based tiple linear regression analysis, which most similar studies in
ecotourism development, well-documented scientifc in- developing countries lack. Te unique forest landscape,
formation on the attitude and participation of the local socioeconomic characteristics, rigorous methodology, ap-
community living around forest areas is crucial [12, 22]. plied, and lack of previous study in both districts make the
Forest-based ecotourism may motivate or promote a posi- study novel.
tive attitude among the local community to conserve the Positive awareness and attitude of the local community
area’s forests [17]. Furthermore, understanding local com- towards forest-based ecotourism in the area play a pivotal
munity awareness and attitude towards ecotourism welfare role in the success of sustainable forest conservation and the
is an important input for policymakers to develop and income diversifcation of the local community, which can be
implement long-term sustainable strategies [14]. Scholars translated into better quality of life. On the other hand,
revealed that local community attitude is dependent on a negative attitude towards forest-based ecotourism devel-
demographic (education, gender, age, occupation, etc.), opment can lead to continued forest degradation and loss.
economic (wealth status, source of income, etc.), and Te study will contribute towards developing policies related
knowledge factors (awareness towards natural resource to sustainable forest management, balancing community
conservation, ecotourism) [12, 18, 23]. Te nature of these livelihood needs, and conservation. As a result, the study
factors and the magnitude of how they shape the attitude of attempted to answer the following questions: (1) What is the
the local community vary from one locality to another. As level of awareness among the local community about forest-
a result, it is important to identify and analyse which factors based ecotourism? (2) What are the socioeconomic factors
have an infuence on local community attitudes as a pre- that determine the attitude of the local community towards
condition for ecotourism development in one forest-based ecotourism development? Terefore, the
particular area. present study is aimed at examining the awareness of the
Ethiopia is a developing country endowed with unique local communities towards forest-based ecotourism and
cultural heritages and attractive natural resources, including investigating the socioeconomic determinants of ecotourism
some remnant sacred forests that can meet the expectations development in the area.
of tourists [24]. However, there have been few studies that
have attempted to document local community attitudes
towards ecotourism development in the country’s nexus for 1.1. Conceptual Framework. Using the above literature as-
sustainable conservation [7, 23]. In the meantime, forest- sessment, the subsequent conceptual framework is framed,
based ecotourism resources, such as forest landscapes, en- adopted, and modifed from [12] (Figure 1).
demic, and/or rare fora and fauna, are deteriorating due to
failure to integrate conservation with livelihood needs 1.2. Independent Variables
[23, 25]. Considering the vast forest resource and socio-
economic diversity and declining status, there is a need to Age: how old the respondents are, only those above
seek how to promote sustainable conservation, while sup- 18 years old were considered.
porting local livelihood. Marital status: the condition of the respondents if they
Arbegona and Nensebo woredas (districts) were re- were engaged in marriage or not.
ported to be rich in ecotourism resources, such as wildlife
Education status: it refers to the level of education the
species, diversifed forests, scenic landscapes, waterfalls,
respondents received (formal or informal).
natural caves, and native cultural resources [26–28]. Hence,
the areas could be developed to be forest-based ecotourism Wealth status: it refers to the wealth category of re-
destination areas. However, Arbegona and Nensebo woredas spondents, classifed as rich, medium, and poor
(districts) forest resources are under pressure, while, on the according to local criteria.
other hand, their unique features are not properly promoted Source of income: it refers to the likelihood of re-
and utilised. Besides, local community attitudes towards the spondents, such as mixed farming, crop cultivation,
values of forest and associated resources, nexus for livestock rearing, and civil servant.
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
International Journal of Forestry Research 3

Independent variables
Age
Marital status
Education status
Dependent variable
Wealth status
Attitude towards forest-
Source of income basedforest-based
Energy source ecotourism development
Awareness about concept of ecotourism
Motivation to forest resource conservation
Awareness on conservation measures of
forest resources
Awareness on forestr resources
conservation challenges

Figure 1: Conceptual framework for independent and dependent variables [12].

Energy source: it refers to the energy utilised by the 38° 34′ to 38° 49′E with an elevation range of 2200–3336 masl
respondents for domestic cooking, categorised as fuel (Figure 2), whereas the Nensebo woreda is situated between
wood and cow dung. 6°10′ to 6°40′N and 39°00′ to 39°40′E with elevation ranges of
Awareness about the concept of ecotourism: it refers to 1600–3500 masl (Figure 2). Both woredas are geo-
the respondent now how about ecotourism or not. morphologically characterised by hills, mountains, and
plateaus and exhibit bimodal rainfall patterns, with minor
Motivation for forest resource conservation: it refers to
rainy seasons between February and April and long rainy
the respondents motivated or not for forest resource
seasons between June and October. Te average annual
conservation.
rainfall in Nensebo woreda ranges between 200 mm and
Awareness of conservation measures of forest re- 3000 mm, whereas in Arbegona, it ranges between 1250 and
sources: it refers to the respondents aware or not aware 1300 mm [26]. Te average annual temperature of Nensebo
of conservation measures of forest resources. woreda lies between 10.9°C and 21.50°C, whereas in Arbe-
Awareness of forest resources conservation challenges: gona woreda, it lies between 14°C and 18°C [27]. Te areas
it refers to the respondents aware or not aware of forest are rich in natural and cultural ecotourism resources, in-
resource conservation challenges. cluding endemic mammal species, such as mountain nyala
(Tragelaphus buxtoni) and Menelik’s bushbuck (Tragelaphus
scriptus menelik) [26, 27]. It is also home to endemic and
1.3. Dependent Variable. Attitude towards ecotourism de-
near-endemic bird species, such as yellow-fronted parrots
velopment: Te attitude was looked into in both positive and
(Poicephalus favifrons) and black-winged love bird (Aga-
negative dimensions. A positive attitude indicates a re-
pornis taranta) [28]. Te scenic landscapes, vegetation, at-
spondent’s favoured evaluation, i.e., interest in conserving tractive waterfalls, natural caves, and native cultural features
basic forest-based ecotourism resources, not complaining if are also among the attractions [26–28]. Arbegona woreda
the area is protected for ecotourism development, and be- has a total population of 135,862, and Nensebo woreda has
lieving the activity of ecotourism is important to generate
114,559 populations. Te predominant economic activity
income to support livelihoods and conserve forests. A
practiced in both woredas is subsistence agriculture (live-
negative attitude indicates a respondent’s unfavoured
stock production and cultivation of crops). Cereal crops
evaluation, i.e., being uninterested in conserving basic
such as wheat, beans, and peas are grown in both study areas.
forest-based ecotourism resources, disagreeing with de-
However, cofee and enset are the most important cash crops
veloping ecotourism, and/or not trusting ecotourism can
grown in both woredas [26].
generate income to support livelihoods and conserve forests
[29–32].
2.2. Methods
2. Materials and Methods
2.2.1. Sampling Design, Sample Size Determination, and
2.1. Description of the Study Area. Te study was undertaken Sampling Procedure and Data Collection. A reconnaissance
in Arbegona woreda, one of the administrative districts in survey was carried out during the frst week of October 2017.
the Sidama regional state, and Nensebo woreda, one of the Te purpose of the survey was to have general information
similar administrative districts in the adjacent West Arsi on the basic attractions, topography, and accessibility with
zone of the Oromia regional state. Arbegona and Nensebo the help of natural resource and tourism experts of Arbe-
woredas (districts) are located south of the capital city, Addis gona and Nensebo woredas. Before the actual house-to-
Ababa, at a distance of 261 and 400 km, respectively. house survey commenced, a pilot survey was carried out to
Arbegona woreda is situated between 6° 38′ to 6°49′N and test the applicability and clarity of the questionnaire.
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
4 International Journal of Forestry Research

38°50'0"E 39°0'0"E 39°10'0"E 39°20'0"E 39°30'0"E 39°40'0"E 39°50'0"E

6°40'0"N

6°40'0"N
6°30'0"N

6°30'0"N
6°20'0"N

6°20'0"N
0 5 10 20 30 40
Km
38°50'0"E 39°0'0"E 39°10'0"E 39°20'0"E 39°30'0"E 39°40'0"E 39°50'0"E
Sidama Region 38°38'0"E 38°42'0"E 38°46'0"E 38°50'0"E 38°54'0"E 38°58'0"E

Oromia Region
6°46'0"N

6°46'0"N
Ethiopia Regions
Riripa Kebele
Nensebo_chebi Kebele
6°42'0"N

6°42'0"N
Nensebo Woreda
Fedefoliso Kebele
6°38'0"N

6°38'0"N
Chericho Kebele
Arbegona Woreda
Km
0 2 4 8 12 16

38°38'0"E 38°42'0"E 38°46'0"E 38°50'0"E 38°54'0"E 38°58'0"E

Figure 2: Location map of the study area.

Te preliminary survey was conducted by administering households was calculated from the total population of
a questionnaire to ten randomly selected respondents from 250,381. Proportionally, 144 and 122 sample households
each woreda. Based on the feedback obtained, the ques- were selected from Arbegona and Nensebo woredas, re-
tionnaire was revised to better ft the maximum extraction of spectively. Te total number of households in FodoFolesho
information from respondents and to attain the required and Cherecho kebeles of Arbegona woreda is 372 and 614,
level of reliability and validity. respectively (totally 986). Similarly, the total number of
A cross-sectional, descriptive research design was households in Rerepa and NenseboChebi kebeles of Nen-
employed for the study. Arbegona and Nensebo woredas sebo woreda is 653 and 1239, respectively (totally 1892).
(districts) were purposefully selected for this study based on Proportional sampling was also used to distribute the sample
the existence of forest-based and forest-related ecotourism size in each kebele of the two woredas. Accordingly, 54 and
resources. Consequently, two kebeles (the lowest adminis- 90 sample households were selected from FodoFolesho and
trative unit) in Arbegona (FodoFolesho and Cherecho) Cherecho kebeles of Arbegona woreda, respectively, and 42
woreda and two kebeles in Nensebo (Rerepa and Nense- and 80 sample households were selected from Rerepa and
boChebi) woreda were purposively selected. Te total NenseboChebi kebeles of Nensebo woreda, respectively.
number of households to be sampled from the study sites Based on the name list of member households in each
(woredas) was determined using the formula given by [33]. kebele, the sample was collected using a systematic random
sampling technique. Particularly, the frst household was
n � x2 NP (1 – P) ÷ e2 (N − 1) + x2 P (1 – P) (1) randomly selected by the lottery method from the name list,
and the data collection continued within the 7th interval in
where N is the total number of households in the study area; Arbegona woreda and 15th interval in Nensebo woreda. Data
n is the required sample size; e is the precision level, which is were collected from November 2017 to January 2018 using
8%; the table value of chi-square for 1 degree of freedom at semistructured questionnaires through the household in-
the desired confdence level (1.96); and P is the population terview, key informant interviews, and focus group dis-
proportion (assumed to be 50 since this would provide the cussions. Te questionnaire surveys were used to generate
maximum sample size). Te total number of households in data on respondents’ socio-demographic variables: level of
Arbegona and Nensebo woredas is 135,862 and 114,519, dependence on energy resources; level of awareness of
respectively. Using the above formula, a sample size of 266 natural resource protection; and attitude towards the natural
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
International Journal of Forestry Research 5

and cultural resources of ecotourism. Te contents of the regression model was used to test the relationship between
questionnaire were carefully translated into the local lan- demographic factors, economic factors, and knowledge
guages “Sidaamu Afoo” (Arbegona woreda) and “Afaan factors on respondents’ attitudes towards forest-based
Oromo” (Nensebo woreda) with the help of tourism experts ecotourism development. Te attitude was looked into in
from the respective woredas and members of researchers, both positive and negative dimensions. A positive attitude
who fuently speak the local languages and English. indicates a respondent’s favoured evaluation, i.e., interest in
Additionally, focus group discussions and key informant conserving basic ecotourism resources, and believing the
interviews were employed in the selected kebeles of the activity of ecotourism is important to generate income to
respective woredas for triangulation purposes. Key in- support livelihoods and conserve forest resources. A neg-
formants (KI) in each woreda were selected based on their ative attitude indicates a respondent’s unfavoured evalua-
knowledge of the forest resources and cultural attractions tion, i.e., being uninterested in conserving basic ecotourism
and their duration of stay in the localities. Te selection of resources, disagreeing with developing ecotourism, and/or
these KI was conducted through the snowball method [34]. not trusting that ecotourism can generate income to support
Accordingly, in each kebele, the frst fve farmers were livelihoods and conserve forest resources.
randomly asked to give the names of six KIs. Of the thirty
candidates’ KIs, the four top rankings were selected at each (1) Model Specifcation. Logistic regression is a statistical
kebele, which makes a total of eight KIs from Nensebo method for analysing a dataset in which there are one or
woreda and eight KIs from Arbegona woreda. In addition, more independent variables that determine an outcome
purposefully, two tourism experts and two natural/forest (measured with a dichotomous variable) [36]. Accordingly,
resource experts from each woreda were selected and added their general mathematical model was used as follows:
to the list of KIs. Te total of 20 KIs selected represents 4
pj
a sufcient sample of key informants from diferent expe- log􏼠 􏼡 � β0 + 􏽘 β1ix1i
riences, diverse ideas, and interests. It has been indicated 1 − pj i�1
that 15–25 KIs are a sufcient sample size for household (2)
interviews [34]. Te key informant interviews are important 3 4

to validate the information collected using the household + 􏽘 β2jx2j + 􏽘 β3jkx3jk + εj,
j�1 jk�1
interview. Key informant interviews focused on gaining
specifc knowledge about the status of forest resources, where pj is the estimated probability of success for a person
conservation eforts, and threats. In each kebele, one focus who has a positive attitude towards ecotourism in the
group discussion (FGD) was held. A total of four FGDs were population. 1 − pj is the probability of getting a person who
held that represented the diverse ideas and thoughts in the has a negative attitude. (pj /(1 − pj )) is the odds of success.
community. In each FGD, 10 participants composed of β0 is constant Bi1, Bi2, Bi3. . .. . .Bi8 that are the coefcients
elders, religious leaders, women, youth representatives, and of dependent variables. X1i is the demographic variables and
tourism and natural resource experts were involved [35]. characteristics of the respondents, such as age, sex education,
Focus group discussions were used to consolidate the in- and marital status. X2j is the economic variables and
formation on the awareness and the attitude of local characteristics of the respondents, such as source of income,
community towards forest-based ecotourism. Methodo- energy source, and wealth status. X3jk is knowledge of the
logical triangulation was employed to triangulate the data respondents, such as motivation to protect forest resources,
collected using household interviews, key informant in- presence of understanding about the concept of ecotourism,
terviews, and focus group discussions. When key informant awareness about the existing ecotourism resource problem,
interviews and focus group discussions were conducted, core and awareness about conservation measures for natural
ideas on the awareness and attitude of the local community resource problem. εj is a random error.
towards forest-based ecotourism were raised and validated Te model assumed that the dependent variable is
for truthfulness and consensus among local community nonlinearly related to the independent variables and the
members. Te research employed a sequential approach, dependent variable does not have a normal distribution.
where household interviews were conducted at the initial
stage, followed by key informant interviews and focus group
discussions. 2.3. Variables. As a measure of local community attitudes
towards ecotourism, fve questions were posed, and based on
the literature, the most important factors that are expected to
2.2.2. Data Analysis. Te collected data were rearranged, afect the local community’s attitudes towards ecotourism
described, analysed, categorised, and interpreted through were considered (Table 1). Before taking the selected vari-
both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods. Te ables in the logistic regression model, multicollinearity
qualitative data that were gathered through key informant among independent variables and the goodness of ft of the
interviews and focus group discussions were described, model were checked through Cook’s distance result, vari-
narrated, and triangulated based on a systematic grouping of ance infuence factor, and Hosmer and Leme show good-
variables. Te quantitative data were analysed using SPSS ness-of-ft tests. During analysis, the minimum Cook’s result
software (version 20.1). Socio-demographic data of the re- was 0.00021, while the maximum Cook’s distance result was
spondents were subjected to descriptive analysis. Logistic 0.09038. Tese fgures indicate that the values are less than
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
6 International Journal of Forestry Research

Table 1: Variables and their cods in binary logistic regression [8, 10, 13, 14].
Variables Code
Ecotourism is important 0 � (no), 1 � (yes)
Wildlife and forest protection is important 0 � (no), 1 � (yes)
Ecotourism development in this woreda is important 0 � (no), 1 � (yes)
You are responsible to protect forest resources of this area 0 � (no), 1 � (yes)
Ecotourism generates income for local community 0 � (no), 1 � (yes)
Household age 1 � 18–30, 2 � 31–64, 3 � >64
Household sex 1 � male, 2 � female
Household marital status 1 � married, 2 � single
Household educational status 1 � had formal education, 2 � had not formal education
Household wealth status 1 � rich, 2 � medium, 3 � poor
1 � mixed farming, 2 � cultivation of crop, 3 � livestock rearing, 4 � sale of
Household income source
timber and forest product, 5 � trade, 6 � civil servant
Woody biomass energy source for household consumption 1 � fre wood, 2 � livestock dung
Motivation to protect forest resources 1 � motivated, 2 � not motivated
Presence of understanding about the concept of ecotourism 1 � yes 2 � No
Awareness about the existing ecotourism resource problem 1 � aware 2 � not aware
Awareness about how to control forest resource degradations 1 � aware 2 � not aware
Note that the wealth status of the local communities was categorised based on the perceptions of local communities. Rich households are the ones who have
8–15 hectares of cultivated land, and have 15–25 livestock with corrugated iron roof houses. Medium households are those who have 4–6 hectares of cultivated
land, have 8–10 livestock, and have corrugated iron roof houses. Poor households have 2 hectares of cultivated land and have 1-2 livestock with round
thatched roof huts house.

one in both cases, indicating there is no detection of outliers characteristics were the subjects of the study (Table 2). When
that afect the model [37]. Likewise, the multicollinearity their characteristics are summarised, the majority of the
problem (relationship among explanatory variables) does not respondents were males (177, 66.5%), and a greater pro-
exist in the model because the value of VIF in the case lies portion of them were married (236, 88.7%) (Table 2). Males
between 1.065 and 1.494, i.e., less than 10 [38]. Te Hosmer and dominated respondents because of the cultural factors that
Leme show signifcant test result also shows 0.372, which is women cannot speak in the presence men. In those
higher than the p value (0.05), and therefore, the model was households represented by females, females are the heads of
good. For the analysis, the dependent variables were primarily the households. About half of them (50.4%) were older than
categorised into a dummy format. In this case, “0” was used to 40 years. Te majority of the respondents (221, 83.1%) did
code the answer “negative” to the question. Te value of “1” is not receive formal education. In terms of their sources of
used to indicate a “positive” answer. Te study has examined income, 153 (57.5%) respondents depend on mixed farming
various causal factors that are assumed to afect local com- (crop cultivation and livestock rearing) for their livelihoods.
munity attitudes. Te model has tried to incorporate three Almost all (260, 99.7%) of the respondents use frewood
factors, such as demographics, economics, and knowledge. To extracted from the nearby forests as a source of energy for
avoid an excessive variability and unstable estimates in the household consumption.
subsequent model, only variables that have reached a p value
less than 0.25 were taken into consideration in the subsequent
analyses. Tis relaxed p value criterion allows for reducing the 3.2. Local Community Awareness and Attitude towards
initial number of variables in the model, thus reducing the risk Ecotourism Development. Findings from the binary logistic
of missing important variables [39]. Tus, according to the frst regression analysis of the association between expected
step of the logistic regression analysis (COR) result of this factors and the local community’s attitude showed that the
study, the independent variables that show signifcant asso- educational status (awareness) of the respondents, their age,
ciations with the dependent variable are identifed as the the presence of forest resource conservation measures to
outcome elaborates only the sex of the respondent is avoided overcome the existing forest conservation problems, and the
for the fnal multiple logistic regression analysis (AOR). Te source of energy for household consumption were signif-
next step was running multiple logistic regression analyses cantly associated with the local community’s attitude to-
based on the selected infuential factors. Ten, the efect of wards forest-based ecotourism development (Table 3).
selected demographic, economic, and knowledge factors on the Te result indicates that community members who have
attitude of the local community was assessed. Finally, the had formal education have a positive attitude towards
overall factors were analysed to put out the fnal overall results. ecotourism development (0.024 times higher than the
members with no formal education) [(AOR � 0.024, 90% C.I.
3. Results (0.007, 0.079))] (Table 3). Te respondents’ age was also
signifcantly associated with their attitude towards the local
3.1. Socioeconomic and Demographic Profle. A total of 266 community. Both the young (18–30) age [(AOR � 2.519, 90%
respondents with an age category of more than eighteen C.I. (1.229, 5.163))] and the middle (31–64) age
years and the specifed socioeconomic and demographic [(AOR � 2.000, 90% C.I. (1.075, 3.723))] respondents have
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
International Journal of Forestry Research 7

Table 2: Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the respondents.

Number of respondents
Variables Per cent (%)
(n � 266)
Woreda
Arbegona 144 54.1
Nensebo 122 45.9
Sex
Male 177 66.5
Female 89 33.5
Age
18–25 71 26.7
26–39 61 22.9
>40 134 50.4
Wealth status
Rich 79 29.7
Medium 125 47.0
Poor 62 23.3
Marital status
Married 236 88.7
Single 30 11.3
Educational status
Formal education 221 83.1
No formal education 45 16.9
Source of income
Mixed farming 153 57.5
Cultivation of crop 58 21.8
Livestock rearing 24 9.0
Sale of timber and other forest products 8 3.0
Trade 13 4.9
Civil servant 10 3.8
Source of energy
Fuel wood 260 97.7
Livestock dung 6 2.3

Table 3: Binary logistic regression analysis that indicates the local communities’ attitude towards ecotourism resource in Arbegona and
Nensebo woredas.
Attitude
Variables B Sig AOR EX (B) (CI, 90%)
Positive Negative
Demographic factors
Woreda
Arbegona 93 (35.0%) 51 (19.2%) −1.218 0.000∗∗ 0.296 (0.169, 0.169)
Nensebo 61 (22.9%) 61 (22.9%) 1∗
Age
18–30 34 (12.8%) 37 (13.9%) 0.924 0.034∗∗ 2.519 (1.229, 5.163)
31–64 28 (10.5%) 33 (12.4%) 0.693 0.066∗∗∗ 2.000 (1.075, 3.723)
>64 92 (34.6%) 42 (15.8%) 1∗
Marital status
Married 141 (53.0%) 95 (35.7%) 0.544 0.366 1.723 (0.641, 4.632)
Single 13 (4.9%) 17 (6.4%) 1∗
Education status
No formal education 147 (55.3%) 74 (27.8%) −3.728 0.000∗∗ 0.024 (0.007, 0.079)
Formal education 7 (2.6%) 38 (14.3%) 1∗
Economic factor
Wealth status
Rich 41 (15.4%) 38 (14.3%) 0.082 0.869 11.086 (0.477, 2.471)
Medium 72 (27.1%) 53 (19.9%) −0.015 0.973 0.985 (0.478, 2.030)
Poor 41 (15.4%) 21 (7.9%) 1∗
Source of income
Mixed farming 86 (32.3%) 67 (25.2%) 1.087 0.312 2.964 (0.506, 17.365)
Cultivation of crop 35 (13.2%) 23 (8.6%) 0.799 0.479 2.223 (0.348, 14.222)
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
8 International Journal of Forestry Research

Table 3: Continued.
Attitude
Variables B Sig AOR EX (B) (CI, 90%)
Positive Negative
Livestock rearing 16 (6.0%) 8 (3.0%) 1.199 0.319 3.317 (0.458, 24.032)
Sale of timber and other forest products 7 (2.6%) 1 (0.4%) 0.093 0.952 1.098 (0.086, 14.047)
Trade 7 (2.6%) 6 (2.3%) −0.393 0.734 0.675 (0.101, 4.522)
Civil servant 3 (1.1%) 7 (2.6%) 1∗
Energy source
Fire wood 146 (56.0%) 111 (41.7%) 2.879 0.049∗∗ 17.800 (1.612, 1.96596)
Livestock dung 5 (1.9%) 1 (0.4%) 1∗
Awareness about concept of ecotourism
Yes 3 (1.1%) 6 (2.3%) −0.742 0.450 0.476 (0.095, 2.398)
No 151 (56.8%) 106 (39.8%) 1∗
Motivation to forest resource conservation
Not motivated 99 (37.2%) 63 (23.7%) 0.122 0.715 1.130 (0.586, 2.180)
Motivated 55 (20.7%) 49 (18.4%) 1∗
Awareness on conservation measures
of forest resources
No 45 (16.9%) 43 (16.2%) 0.767 0.021∗∗ 2.154 (1.125, 4.123)
Yes 109 (41.0%) 69 (25.9%) 1∗
Awareness on forest resource
conservation challenges
Not aware 132 (49.6%) 84 (31.6%) −0.560 0.145 0.571 (0.269, 1.214)
Aware 22 (8.3%) 28 (10.5%) 1∗
Source: from the survey. ∗ the reference group. ∗∗
a signifcant value with 0.05 level of signifcance. ∗∗∗
a signifcant value with 0.1 level of signifcance.

a more positive attitude towards ecotourism development age and education level may infuence residents’ awareness
than that of old age. and attitudes towards forest resource conservation and,
Almost all (260, 97.7%) of the respondents use frewood for hence, forest-based ecotourism development.
domestic cooking. Tose respondents, who use frewood and Te fndings of the study have revealed that education
cow dung as a source of energy, have refected negative attitudes positively promotes local community attitudes towards
towards ecotourism development, hence to forest resource forest-based ecotourism development. Tis fnding is in line
conservation. From the direct observation employed in this with [42–44], where the authors found that education is
study, it was understood that there were no many restrictions on likely to infuence the amount of information that a person
frewood collection in both study areas. However, irrespective of may have about the conservation of the forest resource,
the unrestricted access to frewood collection in the study areas, thereby resulting in positive attitudes towards nature-based
a higher proportion of the respondents (56%) who primarily tourism. Reference [45] also reported that higher education
rely on frewood for household energy consumption have level is one of the infuential factors for the local commu-
shown a negative attitude towards forest resource conservation nities to develop positive views towards wildlife and pro-
and ecotourism development. tected area conservation. Education equips individuals with
Respondents who reported the absence of forest con- greater opportunities to learn and comprehend the potential
servation measures in the study sites have exhibited pros and cons of ecotourism than those with lower or no
a stronger positive attitude towards ecotourism development formal education. In addition, some authors indicated that
and thus longed for the betterment of the resources at hand. educated people have a better income than local commu-
Tey favoured ecotourism 2.154 times higher than the re- nities dependent on the extractive use of forest resources
spondents who reported the presence of forest conservation and, hence, could be more interested in ecotourism [46, 47].
measures [(AOR � 2.154, 90% C.I. (1.249, 3.714))]. In Various studies on ecotourism have indicated that local
a nutshell, more than half (154, 57.9%) of the respondents in communities have more positive attitudes towards eco-
the study areas have exhibited negative attitudes towards tourism as education and awareness levels increase [48].
forest-based ecotourism development. Particularly, recent studies on the attitude of the local
community towards ecotourism development have revealed
4. Discussion that educational status is the most important variable
positively infuencing ecotourism development [8, 23].
Understanding the host community’s perception of the Te positive attitude towards ecotourism development
positive and negative environmental, economic, and social in young and middle-aged classes could be attributed to the
impacts of ecotourism can be used to assess awareness of fact that these age groups received formal education and
ecotourism impacts. Good awareness and a positive attitude hence have better awareness towards forest conservation and
towards forest-based ecotourism promote sustainable eco- ecotourism development. Te middle-aged group has
tourism development. Previous studies, such as [40, 41], a better average income than other age groups, so this could
have also reported that socio-demographic variables such as make them better invest in ecotourism activities and hence
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
International Journal of Forestry Research 9

promote the development of ecotourism [49]. On the other benefts could be additional reasons. Studies, such as [58] in
hand, the negative attitude of older respondents towards Zimbabwe and [59] in Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park,
ecotourism development could be due to a lack of awareness related negative views towards the existence of the con-
about the essence of ecotourism and the associated benefts servation to local community livelihood directly dependent
obtained. Furthermore, the highest proportions of younger on extractive use of forest resources and subsistence agri-
people expect to participate in job opportunities related to culture. Te fnding by [60] also showed that a low-level
ecotourism and support their livelihood. Hence, this can awareness of natural resource benefts is one of the driving
signifcantly promote a positive attitude towards ecotourism. factors for the negative attitude of the local community
Studies elsewhere have reported that the young generation is towards the protected area.
interested in ecology and nature’s conservation [50–53]. More recently, ecotourism researchers have pointed out
Te result of the study also pointed out that community that livelihood activities directly linked to the extractive use of
members who rely on fuel wood for domestic cooking tend forest resources could lead to a negative attitude towards
to have a negative attitude towards forest-based ecotourism ecotourism development until the community obtains tangible
development. Similarly, a study by [54] revealed that re- benefts obtained from ecotourism [13, 22, 23]. Furthermore,
spondents using frewood extracted from a forest as their while the benefts they gain from, the resources appear to be
source of energy have shown a negative attitude towards minimal farmers in the study areas are negatively afected by
a protected area due to the restriction of frewood collection crop riders and livestock depredators’ wildlife species. Tus, the
from the forest. Te study further elaborated on the re- damage incurred by wild animals on community holdings
spondents’ perceived ecotourism development and wildlife could also derive negative attitudes toward the conservation of
conservation excludes them from the use of fuel wood from forest resources. In agreement with this fnding, [61] stated that
the forest. Tis could create confict between local com- livestock losses, together with crop damage, are considered the
munities and the park staf. Terefore, the negative attitude major causes of negative attitudes towards wildlife conservation
refected by the respondents in this study could be related to policy around protected areas.
their fear that ecotourism development may restrict their
access to frewood collection from the forest. It was revealed 5. Conclusion and Recommendations
that a positive attitude towards forest conservation is highly
infuenced by benefts obtained from the forest, such as the Te fndings of the study revealed that awareness of the local
source of medicinal plants, wood products, and fodder that community and consequent attitude towards forest-based
local people expect from the forest [55]. In Ethiopia, fre- ecotourism development determine the success of
wood collection is not only for household collection but also community-based ecotourism. Te fndings show that socio-
supports the livelihood of many rural people; it is sold in the demographic factors such as the educational status of the
local market to support subsistence livelihoods [56]. It was respondents and their age. Te presence of conservation
reported that in Dodola and Adaba districts (neighbouring measures and sources of energy for household consumption
districts to the present study areas), the contribution of are also signifcantly associated with local communities’
forests to the average total annual household income was attitudes that have been exhibited towards the development
23–53% [57]. of ecotourism and conservation of forest resources. Overall,
Furthermore, those who reported an absence of forest the majority of the respondents in the study areas have
conservation measures may have a better understanding of exhibited a negative attitude towards forest-based eco-
natural resource conservation and the associated benefts tourism development, i.e., 154 (57.9%), as compared to the
derived from ecotourism [5]. During the key informant in- ones who have refected a positive attitude, i.e., 112 (42.1%).
terview and focus group discussion, the majority of the re- Te negative attitudes were predominantly demonstrated
spondents emphasised that the diverse and unique forest because the majority of the farmers are interested in
resources in the area are deteriorating due to the absence of expanding their cultivated land into the forest, have little
sound conservation measures. Te respondents who reported awareness about conservation and its benefts, and felt
the presence of forest conservation measures seem to have conservation costs such as crop damage and livestock
exhibited weaker attitudes because they could be the ones who depredation. It can be concluded that livelihoods heavily
are overexploiting the resources by expanding agricultural dependent on the extractive use of forest resources and
lands [57]. Similarly, the study by [50] pointed out that those subsistence agriculture substantially challenge forest re-
respondents who derived income from farming and livestock source conservation and ecotourism development.
rearing tended to hold a less positive attitude towards con- However, there is an agreement that weak and negative
servation objectives than those who are directly dependent on attitudes towards forest resource conservation and eco-
the extraction of forest resources for their livelihood. tourism development are subject to change or manipulation.
Tis might be related to the fact that the majority of the According to [62, 63], for instance, “attitudes can be strong
farmers are interested in expanding their cultivated land and and well-formed or weak and broad, and are generally
extractive subsistence use of forest resources rather than developed through various learning processes.” Tus, the
protecting the area for ecotourism development. Moreover, negative attitudes developed by communities in the study
the shortage of professionals, the community’s lack of areas can be minimised when favourable conditions are in
enough information and experience on the ecotourism place to encourage strong and positive attitudes. Likewise,
business, and the absence of tourism-related community raising awareness of local communities through persuasion
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
10 International Journal of Forestry Research

and communication of new and well-suited information and thank the staf of the Nensebo and ArbegonaWoreda Ad-
promotion of alternative livelihood options can minimise ministration Ofce, Rural Land Administration Ofce, and
the negative attitudes. In general, the study implies that for Tourism and Communication Ofce for the welcoming and
the successful development of forest-based ecotourism and cooperative environment. A special word of thanks goes to
its sustainability, awareness creation about the benefts of the our feld assistants. Te study was funded by the Hawassa
ecotourism developed is crucial. Moreover, for the sus- University First Round Tematic Research Grant Year 2016-
tainability of ecotourism activities, the study implies that 17.
there is a need to seek alternative livelihood options for the
local community directly dependent on extractive use of
forest resources. Community-based ecotourism business
References
development or other environmentally friendly livelihood [1] S. Pratt, Economic Linkages and Impacts across the Tourism
options would be good options. Future research in the lo- Area Life Cycle, University of the South Pacifc, Suva, Fiji,
calities should focus on how to advance the livelihood 2010.
benefts of ecotourism and sustainably conserve the [2] A. Drumm and A. Moore, in Ecotourism Development, A
biodiversity. Manual Series for Conservation Planners and Managers, Te
Te study has some limitations, such as the in-depth Nature Conservancy, Arlington County, VA, USA, 2002.
analysis of qualitative data using standard approaches and [3] J. E. Mbaiwa and A. L. Stronza, “Te efects of tourism de-
velopment on rural livelihoods in the Okavango Delta, Bot-
the failure to use more advanced methods, such as factor
swana,” Journal of Sustainable Tourism, vol. 18, no. 5,
analysis and structural equation modelling approaches.
pp. 635–656, 2010.
However, it can provide baseline information for using more [4] D. Zacarias and R. Loyola, “How ecotourism afects human
advanced methods, such as factor analysis and structural communities,” in Ecotourism’s Promise and Peril, pp. 133–151,
equation modelling approaches for future studies. So, we Springer, Cham, Switzerland, 2017.
recommend using these approaches for robust statistical [5] E. Mondino and T. Beery, “Ecotourism as a learning tool for
analysis in future research. sustainable development,the case of MonvisoTransboundary
Biosphere Reserve, Italy,” Journal of Ecotourism, vol. 18, no. 2,
Data Availability pp. 107–121, 2019.
[6] A. Eshetu, “Ecotourism as a viable strategy for livelihood
Te data used to support the fndings of this study are diversifcation and sustainable natural resource management
available from the corresponding author upon request. in Ethiopia (from eco-development paradigm point of view),”
Journal of Environmental Science and Water Resource, vol. 3,
no. 2, pp. 40–52, 2014.
Ethical Approval [7] S. Admasu, “Ecotourism as a tool to substantially funding
Te study was approved by Hawassa University Research conservation endeavors in Ethiopia,” Journal of Tourism and
Hospitality, vol. 9, no. 432, pp. 2167–0269, 2020.
Ethical Approval Board.
[8] B. O. Adetola and O. R. Adediran, “Attitudes of local residents
towards sustainable ecotourism development in Olumirin
Consent Waterfall Southwestern Nigeria,” Ethiopian Journal of Envi-
ronmental Studies and Management, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 561–571,
Informed consent was obtained from all individual partic- 2014.
ipants involved in the study. [9] T. Dey, S. Ahmed, B. K. Bachar, and M. Kamruzzaman,
“Prospects of community based eco-tourism in Sundarbans:
Conflicts of Interest a case study at Munshiganj, Satkhira, Bangladesh,” In-
ternational Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment,
Te authors declare that they have no conficts of interest. vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 60–68, 2020.
[10] T. Dey, M. Kamruzzaman, M. A. Islam et al., “Attitudes of
Authors’ Contributions local people towards community based eco-tourism in the
Sundarbans,” International Journal of Business, Management
All authors conceptualized the study, performed the and Social Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 528–535, 2020.
methodology, performed project administration, and pro- [11] A. R. Abdullah, C. Weng, and A. Som, “Te potentials and
vided resources. Z.G., M.D., and B.G. performed in- perils of ecotourism in BelumTemengor forest complex,”
vestigation, wrote the original draft preparation, and World Applied Sciences Journal, vol. 12, no. 9, pp. 1–9, 2011.
contributed to visualization. Z.G. and M.D. reviewed and [12] E. Hassan and E. Kamilah, “Determinants of Local Com-
munity’s Participation in Ecotourism Development at
edited the article, performed supervision, and provided
TasikKenyir,” University Putra, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia,
funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the 2018, M.Sc. thesis.
published version of the manuscript. [13] A. Ravikumar, S. Al Subhi, and K. M. Meesala, “Community
perception and attitude towards sustainable tourism and
Acknowledgments environmental protection measures: an exploratory study in
muscat, Oman,” Economies, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 29, 2022.
Te authors would like to thank Hawassa University for [14] R. Harun, G. O. Chiciudean, K. Sirwan, F. H. Arion, and
fnancial support and Wondo Genet College of Forestry and I. C. Muresan, “Attitudes and perceptions of the local com-
Natural Resources for all the logistics. Te authors sincerely munity towards sustainable tourism development in
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
International Journal of Forestry Research 11

kurdistan regional government, Iraq,” Sustainability, vol. 10, [30] D. A. Fennell, “Ecotourism and the myth of indigenous
no. 9, p. 2991, 2018. stewardship,” Journal of Sustainable Tourism, vol. 16, no. 2,
[15] R. Nunkoo and K. K. F. So, “Residents’ support for tourism: pp. 129–149, 2008.
testing alternative structural models,” Journal of Travel Re- [31] S. M. Makindi, “Local communities, biodiversity conservation
search, vol. 1, pp. 1–15, 2015. and ecotourism: acase study of the Kimana Community
[16] S. Moghavvemi, K. M. Woosnam, T. Paramanathan, G. Musa, Wildlife Sanctuary, Kenya,” African Journal of Hospitality
and A. Hamzah, “Te efect of residents’ personality, emo- Tourism and Leisure, vol. 5, p. 1, 2016.
tional solidarity, and community commitment on support for [32] P. Benckendorf, G. Moscardo, and L. Murphy, “‘’Environ-
tourism development,” Tourism Management, vol. 63, mental attitudes of Generation Y students: foundations for
pp. 242–254, 2017. sustainability education in tourism,” Journal of Teaching in
[17] S. M. Rasoolimanesh, C. M. Ringle, M. Jaafar, and Travel and Tourism, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 44–69, 2012.
T. Ramayah, “Urban vs. rural destinations: residents’ per- [33] A. Veal, Research Method for Leisure and Tourism, Prentice
ceptions, community participation and support for tourism Hall, Harlow, UK, 4th edition, 2011.
[34] R. Bernard, Research Method in Anthropology; Qualitative
development,” Tourism Management, vol. 60, pp. 147–158,
Approaches, 5th edition, 2002.
2017.
[35] W. Zhu and J. Flaitz, “Using focus group methodology to
[18] G. Sinclair-Maragh and D. Gursoy, “Residents’ identity and
understand international students’ academic language needs:
tourism development: the Jamaican perspective,” In-
a comparison of perspectives,” Electronic Journal of Foreign
ternational Journal of Tourism Sciences, vol. 17, no. 2, Language Teaching, vol. 8, no. 4, p. 4, 2005.
pp. 107–125, 2017. [36] N. Šarlija, A. Bilandžić, and M. Stanic, “Logistic regression
[19] K. L. Andereck, K. M. Valentine, R. C. Knopf, and C. A. Vogt, modelling: procedures and pitfalls in developing and inter-
“Residents’ perceptions of community tourism impacts,” preting prediction models,” Croatian Operational Research
Annals of Tourism Research, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 1056–1076, Review, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 631–652, 2017.
2005. [37] B. McDonald, “A teaching note on Cook’s distance-
[20] M. H. Hanafah, M. R. Jamaluddin, and I. Zulkify, “Local a guideline,” Mathematics Research Letter, vol. 3,
community attitude and support towards tourism develop- pp. 127-128, 2002.
ment in Tioman Island, Malaysia,” Proceedings of Social Be- [38] N. Shrestha, “Detecting multicollinearity in regression anal-
havioral Science, vol. 105, pp. 792–800, 2013. ysis,” American Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics,
[21] T. H. Lee, “Infuence analysis of community resident support vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 39–42, 2020.
for sustainable tourism development,” Tourism Management, [39] S. Sperandei, “Understanding logistic regression analysis,”
vol. 34, pp. 37–46, 2013. Biochemia Medica, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 12–18, 2014.
[22] P. Kunasekaran, S. Ramachandran, M. R. Yacob, and [40] A. B. Szell, “Attitudes and perceptions of local residents and
A. Shuib, “Development of farmers perception scale on agro tourists toward the protected area of Retezat National Park”,
tourism in Cameron Highlands,” World Applied Science, M.S. thesis, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI,
vol. 12, pp. 10–18, 2011. USA, 2012.
[23] A. T. Angessa, B. Lemma, K. Yeshitela, and M. Endrias, [41] M. Aberham, B. Mundanthra, and B. Gurja, “Te attitudes
“Community perceptions towards the impacts of ecotourism and practices of local people towards wildlife in Cheber-
development in the central highlands of Ethiopia: the case of aChurchura national park, Ethiopia,” International Journal of
Lake Wanchi and its adjacent landscapes,” Heliyon, vol. 8, Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 45–55, 2017.
no. 2, Article ID e08924, 2022. [42] J. N. Mehta and J. T. Heinen, “Does community-based
[24] E. Teshome, G. Aberaw, D. Tesgera, and F. Abebe, “Te untold conservation shape favorable attitudes among locals? An
tourism potentials of Bela Mountain, for community-based- empirical study from Nepal,” Environmental Management,
ecotourism development, ecosystem conservation and live- vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 165–177, 2001.
lihood improvement, Waghimera Zone, Ethiopia,” Environ- [43] E. E. Ezebilo, “Community forestry as perceived by local
people around Cross River National Park, Nigeria,” Envi-
ment, Development and Sustainability, vol. 25, no. 5,
ronmental Management, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 207–218, 2012.
pp. 3923–3944, 2022.
[44] B. Tilahun, K. Abie, A. Feyisa, and A. Amare, “Attitude and
[25] T. Endalkachew, A. Getachew, and W. Alubel, “Community
perceptions of local communities towards the conservation
based ecotourism development in MeqdelaAmba, Ethiopia:
value of gibe Sheleko national park, Southwestern Ethiopia,”
current development barriers,” Journal of Hospitality Man- Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientifc
agement and Tourism, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 12–20, 2020. E-Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 65–77, 2017.
[26] Z. Worku and Z. Girma, “Large mammal diversity and en- [45] M. E. Tessema, R. J. Lilieholm, Z. T. Ashenaf, and
demism at geremba mountain fragment, southern Ethiopia,” N. Leader-Williams, “Community attitudes toward wildlife
International Journal of Ecology, vol. 2020, pp. 1–11, 2020. and protected areas in Ethiopia,” Society and Natural Re-
[27] Z. Girma and Z. Worku, “Large mammal diversity in nensebo sources, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 489–506, 2010.
forest, Southern Ethiopia,” International Journal of Zoology, [46] N. Rezaei, R. Mirzaei, and R. Abbasi, “A study on motivation
vol. 2020, pp. 1–11, 2020. diferences among traditional festival visitors based on de-
[28] Z. Jemal, Z. Girma, and G. Mengesha, “’Bird diversity in mographic characteristics, case study: gol-Ghaltan festival,
nensebo moist afromontane forest fragment, south eastern Iran,” Journal of Convention and Event Tourism, vol. 19, no. 2,
Ethiopia,” Te Open Ornithology Journal, vol. 13, pp. 1–9, pp. 120–137, 2018.
2020. [47] Y. S. Gültekin, “Ecotourism through the perception of forest
[29] P. F. Eagles and S. F. McCool, Tourism in National parks and villagers: understanding via mediator efects using structural
Protected Areas: Planning and Management, Cabi Publishing, equation modeling,” Environmental Science and Pollution
Wallingford, 2002. Research, vol. 29, no. 47, pp. 70899–70908, 2022.
 9384, 2024, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/4617793, Wiley Online Library on [10/08/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
12 International Journal of Forestry Research

[48] B. X. Chen and Z. M. Qiu, “Community attitudes toward

ecotourism development and environmental conservation in
nature reserve: a case of Fujian Wuyishan National Nature
Reserve, China,” Journal of Mountain Science, vol. 14, no. 7,
pp. 1405–1418, 2017.
[49] Y. Bu, E. Wang, and Y. Yu, “Analysis on asymptotic stabi-
lization of eco-compensation program for forest ecotourism
stakeholders,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research,
vol. 28, no. 23, pp. 29304–29320, 2021.
[50] R. Fernández-Manzanal, L. Rodrı́guez-Barreiro, and
J. Carrasquer, “Evaluation of environmental attitudes: analysis
and results of a scale applied to university students,” Science
Education, vol. 91, no. 6, pp. 988–1009, 2007.
[51] E. Getachew, “Floristic diversity and disturbances in nensebo
and geremba remnant forests, south eastern Ethiopia,”
Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia, 2019, M.Sc. thesis.
[52] H. Han, J. Yu, and W. Kim, “Youth travelers and waste re-
duction behaviors while traveling to tourist destinations,”
Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, vol. 35, no. 9,
pp. 1119–1131, 2018.
[53] M. Caber, T. Albayrak, and D. Crawford, “Perceived value and
its impact on travel outcomes in youth tourism,” Journal of
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, vol. 31, Article ID 100327,
2020.
[54] D. Šaparnienė, O. Mejerė, J. Raišutienė, V. Juknevičienė, and
R. Rupulevičienė, “Expression of behavior and attitudes to-
ward sustainable tourism in the youth population: a search for
statistical types,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 473, 2022.
[55] M. Yosef, “Attitudes and perceptions of the local people
towards benefts and conficts they get from conservation of
the Bale Mountains National Park and Mountain Nyala
(Tragelaphusbuxtoni), Ethiopia,” International Journal of
Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 28–40, 2015.
[56] B. A. Woldie and S. A. Tadesse, “Views and attitudes of local
people towards community versus state forest governance in
Tehulederi District, South Wollo Ethiopia,” Ecological Pro-
cesses, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 4–20, 2019.
[57] S. A. Tadesse and D. Teketay, “Perceptions and attitudes of
local people towards participatory forest management in
tarmaber district of north shewa administrative zone,
Ethiopia: the case of wof-washa forests,” Ecological Processes,
vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 17–16, 2017.
[58] T. Yemiru, A. Roos, B. M. Campbell, and F. Bohlin, “Forest
incomes and poverty alleviation under participatory forest
management in the Bale Highlands, Southern Ethiopia,”
International Forestry Review, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 66–77, 2010.
[59] S. B. M Adam, “Impact of ecotourism development on quality
of life of local community at TasikKenyir Malaysia,” Uni-
versity Putra, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia, 2018, M.Sc. thesis.
[60] T. K. Afework Bekele and A. Bekele, “’Attitude and percep-
tions of local residents toward the protected area of Abijata-
Shalla Lakes National Park (ASLNP), Ethiopia,” Journal of
Ecosystem and Ecography, vol. 04, no. 01, p. 1, 2014.
[61] B. S. Moshi, “Impacts of protected areas on local livelihood:
a case study of Saadani National Park”, M.S. thesis, NTNU,
Trondheim, Norway, 2016.
[62] S. W. Wang, J. P. Lassoie, and P. D. Curtis, “Farmer attitudes
towards conservation in JigmeSingyeWangchuck national
park, Bhutan,” Environmental Conservation, vol. 33, no. 2,
pp. 148–156, 2006.
[63] J. Trent, “Attitudes, beliefs and values toward natural re-
sources and public land management, Interior Colombia
Basin,” Bureau of Land Management, Montana State Ofce,
1995.