ABSTRACT
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), universities, and federal government agencies are involved in a number of international conservation activities, including scientific research, policy formation, education in its various forms, and developing projects that add value to the protection of a natural resource. When these activities occur in an emerging economy, the representatives from these foreign institutions and NGOs are some of the earliest tourist markets to visit. Scientific researchers, conservation project leaders, and sustainable development representatives from NGOs or other agencies are “seed markets” for destinations and can set the tone for future tourist activity (Kline, 2010).
