Extended Theory of Planned Behavior to Explain Environemntally Responsible Behavior in Context of Nature-Based Tourism

Abstract

Promoting environmentally responsible behavior is important in preventing and reducing the environmental problem. This work focused on particular environmentally responsible behavior (avoiding and reducing littering). The present study extended the Theory of Planned Behavior (environmental knowledge, biospheric value, and positive emotional experience) to identify the factors influencing intended environmentally responsible behavior of tourists visiting nature based destinations in the context of Indonesia. Based on the data collected from 204 respondents through questionnaires survey using purposive sampling approach. The structural equation analysis shows that biospheric value, environmental knowledge, and positive emotional experience have a positive influence on attitude toward behavior. Besides, the result demonstrated that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control have a significant positive influence on environmentally responsible behavior intention. The findings emphasized that positive emotional experiences have a strongest influence on attitude and perceived behavior control have a strong influence on environmentally responsible behavior. This work contributes to the sustainable development goals and environmentally responsible behavior in tourism behavior literature. Although, some limitations were acknowledged in this work, practical implication and future agenda for research are provided.

Visitor demographics, site‐type and activities determine the occurrence and severity of environmental impacts at nature‐based tourist destinations

“…It is important to note that increasing visitor numbers is often a fundamental target embedded in tourism strategies and although group‐size is a factor, it needs to be considered together with site dynamics, tourism demographics and activity interactions. Understanding environmental attitudes and behaviours are important considerations so as not to oversimplify interactions (Fenitra et al, 2021). There needs to be a shift away from focusing on visitor numbers for performance and/or environmental damage.…”

“…There needs to be a shift away from focusing on visitor numbers for performance and/or environmental damage. Moreover, tourism targets should be expanded to focus on increasing engagement, awareness and interaction to activate the learning opportunities presented by tourism; this could increase environmental stewardship and responsible behaviours (Fenitra et al, 2021; Jurkus et al, 2022; Tolvanen et al, 2020) to alleviate existing conflicts.…”

“…Understanding environmental attitudes and behaviours are important considerations so as not to oversimplify interactions (Fenitra et al, 2021). There needs to be a shift away from focusing on visitor numbers for performance and/or environmental damage.…”

“…The primary benefits of NBT are employment, business opportunities and income (Thapa et al, 2022) and a study by Ozcan et al (2022) showed tourism and globalization decreased environmental damage in countries such as the UK and France. Despite known impacts, time spent in nature positively influences environmental behaviours and decision‐making (DeVille et al, 2021; Fenitra et al, 2021; Pasek & Ratkowski, 2021); which is beneficial for broader conservation goals. Currently, the literature expresses the need for multidisciplinary approaches and a clear lack of consideration for the experiences, management, design and planning of NBT (Mandić & McCool, 2022) which could be used as conservation resources if framed correctly.…”

Influencing factors and mechanism of tourists’ pro-environmental behavior – Empirical analysis of the CAC-MOA integration model

“…Scholars have emphasized that environmental knowledge plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ values ( Wang et al, 2018 ), attitudes ( Ahmad and Thyagaraj, 2015 ), and behavioral intentions ( Saari et al, 2021 ). For example, Fenitra et al (2021) designed a theory to verify the relationship between environmental knowledge and attitudes. The theory emphasized that tourists’ attitudes toward positive environmental behavior would increase with a higher level of environmental knowledge.…”