Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 5(17), pp. 2517-2528, 4 September, 2010 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE ISSN 1992-2248 ©2010 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper A potential offer-demand problem in ecotourism: Different perspectives from eco-tourists and indigenous people Mustafa Var, Emrah Yalçinalp* and Müberra Pulatkan Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Forestry, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon- Turkey. Accepted 6 July, 2010 One of the most important components of ecotourism is the participation of the indigenous people and this is often defined as a major way in ecotourism’s main purpose. While they are often service providers for visitors, it is sometimes possible to see that they are just the main reason why the area is visited. This study examines the different approaches of eco-tourists and indigenous people to some important characteristics of the ecotourism areas and it proves how their understanding might be different from each other. To do this, five highland tourism centers in Trabzon city of Turkey were chosen as the research areas. Two different questionnaire forms were given to the eco-tourists and to the indigenous people in the areas to be able to identify their approaches regarding different characteristics of the areas. While only one person was randomly chosen from a group of visitors in the areas so that those who were in the same group might have had same or similar approaches, only one indigenous person was also chosen from a household for the same reason. Findings revealed that the eco-tourists and the indigenous people had quite different approaches and perceptions even on the same issues in the same areas, which meant that there was a potential offer-demand problem especially because the indigenous people were the only service providers in the research areas. The aim of this investigation is to contribute to the knowledge base needed to plan more efficient ecotourism areas and to address the growing gap between offer (from the indigenous people) and demand (from the eco- tourists) in ecotourism business. Key words: Offer – demand problem, ecotourism, eco-tourist, indigenous people, highland. INTRODUCTION Tourism has grown to be one of the world’s largest industries, second only to oil (Witt et al., 1991; Goodwin, 1996). However, although tourism industry provides eco- nomic profit, it can also cause social, cultural, economic and environmental problems (Choi and Sırakaya, 2006; Saarinen, 2006; Tao and Wall, 2008). As for ecotourism, the situation regarding economic growth is not that different. Globally, for years, the demand for ecotourism products has been growing rapidly. *Corresponding author. E-mail: emrahyalcinalp@gmail.com. Tel: +90 462 3774078, +90 532 4979769(Mobile). Fax: +90 462 3772866. Basically, an understanding of ecotourism and identifi- cation of the requisite natural resources can help govern- ment planners, community decision makers and tourism promoters to identify real concerns and issues as a precursor in the introduction policies and actions for its promotion and development (Baker, 2008). Ecotourism is widely perceived as a nature and culture based sustainable tourism form. In sustainable tourism concept, the balance between the development of tourism and the protection of ecosystem should be provided (Cengiz and Caliskan, 2009). That is why ecotourism is often considered to be a potential strategy to support conser- vation of natural ecosystems, while, at the same time, promoting sustainable local development (Ross and Wall, 1999). According to Fennell (2003), ecotourism should