The negative
social factors of urban life have helped augment
the aesthetic and environmental wdue of natural
areas. To most of the western middle classes, wilderness
areas represent alternatives for escape from
what is perceived as the harsh realities and stresses
associated ~ith urban life and industrial capitalism. ~''
The existing literature on tourist behaviour has
shown that visitors are usually influenced by 'push
and pull' factors when they make an initial decision
to travel to far-off destinations. L, L,~ q-he push factors
include the urge to escape from the pressures of the
workplace and the stresses associated with urban life
and industrial capitalism, whereas the pull factors
may include the urge to travel to different places in
search of novelty and adventure. Thus, an overriding
fact(~r which makes tourists travel to far-off
destinations is the demand to sight and experience
different and exotic environments.