This document discusses tourism development approaches for the Negev desert region of Israel. It examines tourists' preferences for different types of tourist sites combining natural and man-made features. A survey was administered to 452 tourists assessing their ecological orientation and preferences for various site themes and features. Factor analyses were conducted on the themes, features, and components of ecological orientation. The study advocates an integrative approach to tourism development in the Negev that combines nature-oriented themes with simulated attractions, preserves the natural environment while developing facilities, and relies on tourists' selfish-altruistic preferences.

1. Tourism Development in the Negev: An Integrative Approach
Natan Uriely
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
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2. Gambling and Simulated Theme Tourism in the Desert
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3. Gambling and Simulated Theme Tourism in the Desert
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4. 4

5. Ecological Desert Tourism
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6. 6

7. Tourism Development in the Negev Desert:
The Current State
• The “nature-oriented” approach has dominated tourism
planning and development of the Negev (Lerner & Haber 2001;
Haber & Lerner 2002)
• Tourism ventures in the Negev reflect the growing trend toward
rural tourism in Israel (Fleischer & Pizam 1997; Reichel,
Lowengart & Milman 2000)
• The reliance on nature-oriented and “authentic” ventures failed
to offer a panacea to the sparsely populated and economically
deprived Negev region (Haber and Reichel, 2007)

8. The Study
• The study explored Tourists’ Ecological Orientation (TEO) - The higher
the TEO score, the more sensitive the person’s attitudes toward the ecological
requirements and responsibilities of tourist sites.
• The study attempted to explore tourists’ attitudes toward
integrative elements of new sites to be developed in the Negev - Do
potential tourists find various combinations of natural and man-made features
attractive components for newly developed tourist sites
*Uriely N., A. Reichel and A. Shani, 2007. "Ecological Orientation of Tourists: An Empirical Investigation". Tourism and
Hospitality Research 7(3/4): 161-175.
*Reichel A. N. Uriely and A. Shani, 2008, "Ecotourism and Simulated Attractions: Tourists' Attitudes toward Integrative
Sites in a Desert Area". Journal of Sustainable Tourism 16(1)23-41.

9. Method
• Three stage process:
1) Panel of 15 Israeli tourism researchers from various
academic institutions
2) 11 in-depth interviews with tourism practitioners
3) Questionnaire (Hebrew, French and English). The
sample included 253 Israelis and 200 foreign tourists

10. Preferred Tourist Site Themes
S.DMeanTheme
Nature and landscape
Ancient culture and tradition
Stories of the Bible
Desert animals
Archeology
Space Themes
Bird watching
The Syrian-African Rift
Desert fauna
Desert agriculture
Geology
N=452

11. Factor Analysis of the Suggested Tourist Site
Themes
Factor 2: NatureFactor 1: HistoryThemes
0.833Archeology
0.813Ancient culture and
tradition
0.682Geology
0.564Stories of the Bible
0.814Bird watching
0.806Desert animals
0.675Desert fauna
0.659Nature and landscape
0.602The Syrian-African
Rift
0.570Desert agriculture
0.503Space-related themes

12. Preferred Character of Tourist Site
%NPreference
A site with a minimal development of
infrastructure and facilities
A site that combines preservation of the
natural environment along with the
development of infrastructure and facilities
A fully developed site with simulated
attractions
It doesn’t matter to me

13. Preferred Tourist Site Features
S.DMeanFeature
Serene and relaxing atmosphere
Convenient accessibility
Land cruises
Restaurants and cafes
Cultural activities
Spa services
Physical activities
Transportation to site
Usage of high-tech means
Entertainment
Organized children activities
Organized adult activities
Sight and sound shows
N=452

14. Factor Analysis of the Suggested Tourist Site
Features
Factor 2: Outdoor
Physical Activities
Factor 1: On-site
Entertainment ServicesFeatures
0.721Restaurants and cafes
0.766Entertainment
0.627Organized children
activities
0.687Cultural activities
0.512Transportation to site
0.697Organized adult activities
0.651Spa services
0.637Usage of high-tech means
0.765Land cruises
0.577Physical activities

15. Tourist Preferences for Sites to be Developed in
the Negev Region
S.DMeanDescription of the site
Nature and Geology related in the Ramon Crater –
including excursions and an audiovisual shows at the Crater.
1
A Salt theme park in the Dead Sea – attractions about the
salt, including sculptures, audiovisual shows of Lot wife’s
story, etc.
2
Outer Space Park – a star observatory in Ramon Crater
that combines star observation with outer space related
themes.
3
Historic archeology sites that combine simulations that
illustrate historical anecdotes (such as the Nabatean
heritage).
4
“The Syrian-African Rift Valley” Park – exhibits,
interpretations of geological processes, stimulations of
earthquakes, observation points and excursions.
5

16. Tourist Preferences for Sites to be Developed in
the Negev Region – cont.
S.DMeanDescription of the site
Sites that display Bedouin culture and tradition.6
A site that presents contemporary life in the Negev,
including agriculture, desert architecture and flood
control.
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“Ecology Park” – tourist center that promotes the
conservation of the natural environment and combines
activities and demonstrations on the subject.
8
Bird watching Park.9
Sites in agricultural areas that include visit to farms
and demonstration of advanced desert watering and
gardening methods.
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17. Factor Analysis of Ecological Orientation
The site or hotela
:
Factor 1 b
:
Destination Orientation
(Altruism)
Factor 2 c
:
Visitor Orientation
(Selfish Altruism)
Initial eigenvalues 7.823 1.417
(Cronbach's alpha) (0.935) (0.671)
Is built in a way compatible with the natural
landscape
0.638
(4.29)
Strictly adheres to environmental rules and
regulations
0.740
(4.17)
Is a fair employer
0.661
(4.17)
Provides information about the nature and
landscape of the area
0.541
(4.17)
Educates to preserve the quality of the
environment
0.764
(4.05)
Cares about the quality of life of local residents
0.801
(4.05)
Employs local residents
0.830
(3.90)
Provides information about the quality of the
local environment
0.682
(3.66)
Is environmentally sensitive
0.825
(3.58)
Employs the handicapped or the elderly
0.627
(3.55)
Recycles waste
0.842
(3.52)
Recycles paper
0.804
(3.27)
Uses responsible and honest marketing
0.832
(4.32)
Supplies health food in the restaurants
0.630
(4.18)
Controls the number of visitors
0.790
(4.17)
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18. Factor Analysis: Ecological Orientation
S.D.AverageFactors
0.973.73Ecocentric
0.864.02Egocentric

19. The Integrative Approach:
“both-and” rather than “either-or”
• Combines nature-oriented themes with playful and contrived
attractions.
• Combines the preservation of the natural environment along
with the development of infrastructure and facilities (soft
ecotourism).
• Relies on selfish-altruism.
• Entails a two-tier planning strategy in which entrepreneurial
ventures are guided by a well-defined central plan.
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