ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the main economic principles which, until now, have governed entrance fees to natural areas, drawing attention to the issue of demand analysis in the process. It then examines a series of studies that have sought to establish new foundations to explain tourist's willingness to contribute and it gives an illustration based on a survey conducted in the area of the Gironde estuary in the south west of France. The chapter also looks at the motivations behind the decision made by tourists to make a financial contribution to the management of natural sites. Finally, the chapter presents the results of an analysis based on an on-site survey conducted with tourists during the 2010 summer season. An empirical protocols and the theoretical models used, followed by a series of results and concludes by looking at the various opportunities offered by the consideration of non-economic motivations in the analysis of tourist's behaviour.
