Applying fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model to ecotour plan selection

This research develops a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to solve problems regarding ecotourism. According to the definition of ecotourism, the authors identify critical criteria to distinguish the ecotour from regular voyages; therefore, these criteria serve as factors those trip organizers and selection committee members must consider when opting for an appropriate ecotour. In addition, the other factors the trip coordinator of the ecotour has to take into consideration are the subjective criteria and the objective criteria. Compared to traditional way of assessment, the new selection model proposed by this article is less liable to fault and more feasible to practice. Using this model, the trip organizers can get a score of subjective criteria in a more objective way which helps them to decide on the better option for the company ecotour. In this article, we give a detailed description of the model-operation procedures and illustrate the model with a real case. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013