A better understanding of visitor's behavior and activity patterns is vital to tourism industry officials to meet the needs of these individuals, as well as to more-effectively market their communities. Tourism marketing and promotion becomes critical when competition intensifies between neighboring states and regions. One mechanism to collect information on visitors is by conducting visitor profile studies. Since 1984, the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program has assisted communities in this data collection and analysis effort. The information generated through these studies has helped communities respond to visitor concerns and needs.

• Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Visitor Profile (Spring, Summer, and Fall 1992)
  

  This report profiles 509 responding visitors to the Lewes community during the Spring - Fall of 1992. Twenty-eight percent of the visitors were residents of Pennsylvania, 22 percent resided in Maryland and 9 percent were visitors from Virginia and New Jersey. Sixty-two percent of the visitors traveled less than 200 miles to visit the community. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents indicated they were between the ages of 30 and 59. Twenty-six percent of the travelers stayed in hotels or motels; rented cottages and homes (13%) and staying with friends and relatives (13%) were the next highest rated accommodations.

• Rehoboth Beach - Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center: 1989 Visitor Profile
  

  This report profiles 507 responding visitors to the Rehoboth Beach - Dewey Beach community during the Spring - Fall 1989. Thirty-four percent of the respondents resided in Pennsylvania, 17 percent came from the Washington DC area (including Virginia and Maryland suburbs), and 14 percent were residents of other communities in Maryland. Fifty-nine percent of the visitors traveled 200 miles or less to reach the area. Forty-nine percent of the travelers were between the ages of 30 and 59 years old. Hotels and motels (38%) were the most popular form of accommodations used by visitors, followed by rented cottages and houses (22%) and townhouse and condo rentals (12%).

• Bethany/Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce Information Center Visitor Profile (Summer 1986)
  

  This report profiles 203 responding visitors to the Bethany Beach - Fenwick Island area during the summer months of 1986. The largest percentage of visitors traveled from Maryland (30%), followed by Pennsylvania (26%). Virginia and New York visitors each accounted for 7 percent of the total visitor population. Fifty-two percent of the visitors resided with a 100 to 200 mile radius of the Bethany/Fenwick area. Fifty-nine percent of the visitors were between the ages of 30 and 59 years old. Hotels and motels (23%) were the most popular lodging choices, followed by rentals of townhouses/condos (20%) and houses/cottages (19%).

• Delaware Beaches Tourist Information Center Visitor Profile (Summer 1984)
  

  This first visitor profile reported on 264 visitors to the Delaware Beach area during the summer of 1984. Twenty-eight percent were residents of Pennsylvania, almost 20 percent came from Maryland and 11 percent resided in Virginia. The largest group of travelers were destined for Rehoboth Beach (48%), followed by Lewes (20%), Dewey Beach (8%), Bethany Beach (7%) and Fenwick Island (3%). Fourteen percent were traveling to other locations in the beach area. Thirty-six percent were staying in hotels and motels, 21 percent were camping at private campgrounds and 13 percent were camping in state parks.

Nature-based Tourism

Nature-based tourism or ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry which includes traveling to "pristine" destinations to view natural areas and scenery, as well as historical and cultural attractions. It is also termed "soft" travel in that it is designed to protect and enhance natural ecosystems. The Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible tourism that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people." In 1995, 8 million Americans took an ecotour and the figure is growing by 25 percent annually.

• Delaware EcoDiscoveries: The 1997 Guide to Nature-Based Travel in Delaware
  

  Travel experts predict that nature-based travel will continue to grow in the years to come. Since 1994, public sector agencies and private businesses have been working together to promote Delaware's natural wonders. In 1996, the first Delaware EcoDiscoveries guide debuted to introduce travelers to an emerging component of the state=s travel and tourism industry. The 1997 guide has been developed for the nature traveler to more-fully appreciate the attractions and opportunities available throughout the state. Whether it=s enjoying a passive walk through one of the many natural areas in the state, paddling a kayak along a tidal stream, or viewing the many species of shorebird, there is much to offer the nature enthusiast. There are programs and activities for all age groups, so visit Delaware, the nature-friendly state, and get friendly with nature.

• Delaware EcoDiscoveries: The 1996 Guide to Ecotourism Attractions in Delaware. Governor Tom Carper bestowed upon this guide, and those who produced it, a State Tourism Award recognizing it as Delaware"s Best ecotourism product in 1996
  

  This first guide to ecotourism in Delaware describes the state's natural wonders and identifies many of the state's services that make up its tourism industry. Delaware's 13 state parks and other natural areas provide an opportunity to see such diverse habitats as the forests and meadows of White Clay Creek State Park, the wetlands of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the dune and shore communities of Cape Henlopen State Park and the bald cypress swamps of Trap Pond State Park. Most Parks provide trails for nature hikes, and many offer educational program throughout the year. Ecotravelers can also enjoy a variety of canoeing trails throughout the state's inland waterways and rivers, whale and dolphin watching cruises in the Atlantic Ocean and the annual horseshoe crab and shorebird migration along the Delaware Bay shoreline.