Nature-based tourism, also known as ecotourism and green tourism, is a rapidly expanding area in the U.S. tourism travel sector. States with a well-established urban-based tourism industry, such as Louisiana, may have expansion opportuni ties through development of complementary nature-based tourism. This study used a multinomial logit analysis and a primary data sample of 1,579 individuals to evaluate deci sions to participate in Louisiana tourism (including nature- based tourism). This research presents an economic frame work for simultaneously evaluating multiple travel choices and empirically identifies factors, including psychographic, that appear to influence Louisiana tourists' decision to par ticipate in nature-based tourism. Empirical results support the hypotheses that upper-income ecotourists do not select Louisiana as a green tourism destination, while family size and proximity to Louisiana positively influence the decision to participate in Louisiana ecotourism. As hypothesized, en vironmental attitudes also influence tourism decisions.
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